Cole Boyz - Da' Heartz of Dixie Album Review

Artist: Cole Boyz
Album: Da’ Heartz of Dixie
Label: Cole Blooded Music Group
Executive Producers: Anthony Ford Jr.

In 2009 the new Huntsville, Alabama bred group, Cole Boyz, unleashed the ‘Bama anthem “Da Woodz” and started a buzz that lasted over 2 years as they crafted their debut album “Da Heartz of Dixie.” In 2011 the album has finally been unleashed with 17 tracks ranging on topics from the streets, the clubs, drugs, religion, deceased loved ones, and everything in between. Since the release of their 2^nd single from the album, “March 2 Zion”, the group has drawn comparisons with Goodie Mob based on their mixing of street and conscience topics. With a comparison like that the Cole Boyz had a lot to prove.

“Heartz of Dixie” kicks off with an introductory track, “Cole Azz Intro,” produced by John Doe as each Cole Boyz member introduces himself to the listener, nice opener. Jacobi Shanklin aka Kash Kartel helms the production board for the next track, the crunk-influenced “Off Da Rocka.” Cole Boyz raise the tempo with this anthem that could get any party jumping quick. Next up Kash Kartel returns on the energetic “Switchin’ Lanes”, as Cole Boyz pay tribute to their rides highlighted by a catchy hook and an impressive 2^nd verse. The next track is the previously mentioned Alabama anthem, “Da Woodz”, where the Cole Boyz “rep for Bama” to the fullest: “I’m so Bama from my head to my toes”… “it’s Roll Tide when I bomb, I’m sorta’ like Joe Namath!”

Driven by an infectious, thumping beat produced by Kash Kartel the trio navigate the beat like GPS and give me feelings of a Dirty-like record more so than Goodie Mob. Next up Kartel again crafts a masterful beat for Cole Boyz to “Play Hard” on the street anthem where Cole Boyz let you know that you either play hard or go home! John Doe returns behind the boards for “Don’t Go” featuring Blackheart’d. Cole Boyz switch it up and serenade the ladies with a slow paced jam best described as baby making music. On “Daddy” John Doe blends together keys and claps beautifully as Cole Boyz yet again give a shout out to the ladies, and Money Banks adds a beautifully sang hook.

John Doe again produces the next track, "Roll" featuring Dellio & Earristible, which is boasted by a catchy hook and a return to the streets for Cole Boyz:

"its ridiculous, how we ride on these b*tches/
ITS GET DOWN OR LAY DOWN IN THESE TRENCHES/
so watch ya tongue cuz, that'll get ya missing/
ya shoulda' minded ya business, now its time to go fishing/
hard head make a soft ass, ya shoulda listened"

Houston Hip Hop legend, Devin The Dude, makes a guest appearance on the next song, "Pleazure," produced by Kash Kartel, and can you really have a Devin feature without making a weed anthem?! Driven by haunting violins and banging drums Cole Boyz and Devin take us on a smoky ride through the weed fields. Devin provides a memorable hook as well as an equally dope guest verse. Cole Boyz follow up that "pleasurable" experience with a remix of "Da Woodz" featuring some Bama Hip Hop All Stars from veterans like Bama legends Dirty, Lil' Chappy, and G-Side's ST 2 Lettaz along with newcomers Wallace Jr., Fat Rat, Modesty XO, and Birmingham's B.A. Boys. At almost 7 minutes long the remix is a little lengthy but with such impressive guests that is hardly a bad thing. Cole Boyz made a near perfect Alabama anthem even better by uniting Bama boys from all over the state (Huntsville, Birmingham, and Montgomery). Dirty and G-Side's ST 2 Lettaz provide some of the finer highlights of this all star anthem:

ST:
"on the right of Mississippi, on the left of Georgia/
right up under Tennessee, smokin on that California/
f*ck n*ggas dont WANNA, kick it with the COLDEST Bama n*gga in the building/
b*tch meet the OWNERS/
my granddaddy used to pick cotton/
he proud to see his grandson 26 and choppin/
from the ville to Mobile, from Decatur to Birmingham/
before we let you f*ck n*ggas take it, we'll burn it down!"

Manny Chevy of Cole Boyz stops the album to provide a spoken word Interlude where he speaks about the Cole Boyz religious beliefs and how the recording of the album took a different turn. The content of the album shifted from here on out as well. On the next record, "Praise Yah", Cole Boyz profess their love for Yahweh (the Hebrew God) over a guitar riff driven beat by Kash Kartel. Cole Boyz add their own dope style to this religious anthem which almost comes as a surprise.

Shawn Martin (of Durdy Muzik) combine organs and a thumping bass line as the Cole Boyz amazingly pay tribute to the first Civil Rights march from Selma to Montgomery where the civil rights activists were brutalized (on National TV) by police. Cole Boyz thrive over the haunting beat and drive their point across without sounding forced. "Blood Sunday" is truly one of the highlights of the album.

On "Crystal Stair" Juice Lacy provides the perfect backdrop for the Cole Boyz to describe their struggle through life in one of the most personal records on the album and yet another highlight (plus features a nice homage to the Langston Hughes poem "Mother To Son" with the title). It's songs like this that make the Goodie Mob comparisons so perfect:

"back in the day, all we held onto was faith/
i was born in the world with one strike on me/
struggle, hustle, survive, and give praise to the sky/
while i'm living in a life that's hard to see right/
but I keep my hold tight, that's why this boy still alive/
and I'm feeling Jay-Z, ya' gotta make the "Song Cry"/"

Cole Boyz sound as natural on this type of song as they do on any other record on the album. Cole Boyz return to their religious values on "Marching 2 Zion" featuring Adiemus (produced by CP of Block Beataz), this haunting religious anthem will make you nod your head while also appreciating exactly what their saying. Kash Kartell returns for the title track where Cole Boyz rhyme about the history of the Dirty South from the days of slavery to segregation and beyond. Another great, reflective record for the Cole Boyz.

The group closes out the album with an extremely personal and amazing record, "Annie T," is the dedication to their Grandmother produced by Adrian McCobbie of Sons of Thunder Productions. Almost everyone will have their own "Annie T" in their life to be able to relate to this record, and personally it made me think of my grandmother immediately. Such an amazing close to this album.

The Cole Boyz took time releasing this project and it shows in the work as this album seems well thought out and put together. It literally provides something for everyone from songs about the streets to music for the ladies, club anthems, religious (near Gospel) songs, personal/introspective records, and just excellent lyrics along with an incredible soundtrack helmed by one half of the Block Beataz (CP), Kash Kartell, Juice Lacy, newcomer John Doe, and Shawn Martin, . At times when rappers (or artists in general) almost seem overbearing when they bring their religion into the art but regardless of whether you have the same beliefs as Cole Boyz, you can respect and understand the message they try to get across when they go the religious route. I would recommend this record for any southern Hip Hop fan, and really any Hip Hop fan in general. This album will stay in rotation for me for a long time as it contains a ton of replay value.