Justin Linker

In 1993, a group of 3 friends from Detroit decided to form a sinister/funk/gangsta rap group called House Of Krazees. The members at this time consisted of Big Jay (later known as Mr. Bones, now known as Jamie Madrox), E.X.P. (later known as Hektik now known as Monoxide Child) and The R.O.C.
Together the group would go to R.O.C.'s house after school and write raps and used very low budget recording equipment to record everything they wrote and they would press it to tape. Finally after a few weeks of recording, House Of Krazees dropped their debut self-created tape entitled "Home Sweet Home", which consisted of a mix of Detroit's own horrorcore brand of hip-hop, funk and gangsta rap. Which to me, is a damn good combination.
At this time, this group of teens had very little money, therefore the only source of beat-making they had was a cheap sampler and drum machine that R.O.C. had saved up for. R.O.C. produced some very good beats on this album for such a low budget.

So does this basement made tape suit Justin Linker's taste? Well, let me break down the tracks for you.

Intro - This is a very interesting intro. Sets the mood very well for the album. All it is basically is Big Jay, E.X.P. and R.O.C. going in a haunted house in their neighborhood, which was actually a real house people called "House Of Krazees" in Detroit back in the day. Which inspired the group's name. This intro involves all 3 members going inside the house, and all of a sudden they get trapped inside and they hear creepy ghostly spirits speaking, which apparently possesses them with evil demons. I love this intro, but I'm not gonna rate it since it's not an actual song. (N/A)

Home Sweet Home - This is the first song on the album. The intro set the mood for the song very well. This track is probably one of, if not, the best song on the album. Big Jay (Mr. Bones/Jamie Madrox) spits a dope first verse, E.X.P. (Hektik/Monoxide Child) has a raw second verse, R.O.C. killed it on the third. They spit some gangsta shit here. I love this beat. And this track has the fucking dopest hook. Very tight track. Dope rhymes, dope beat courtesy of The R.O.C. and a great chorus. (A+)

Whatz Ya Pleasure - Another fucking dope track. There is no hook here, just dope rapping from start to finish from all 3 members. Everybody comes correct. R.O.C. served up another nice beat. This song has a dark gangsta feel to it. Kinda like old Three 6 Mafia had, just a little bit funkier. Love this. (A)

Loc'd Out - Damn. The dope tracks just keep coming! This is tie with "Home Sweet Home" to being my favorite track on this album. The song is about how they lace up their kicks and stomp fools. It reminds me of old Three 6 Mafia, just like "Whatz Ya Pleasure". R.O.C. and Big Jay killed it on the verses. E.X.P. does a great job as well. R.O.C. murdered the beat. Pure fire! I love the sample on the chorus. Who would have thought a track as dark as this could be funky at the same time? Well, they pulled it off! (A+)

Evil That Men Do - This song is a banger. Catchy beat by R.O.C., and nice fast rapping from all 3 members. This song is basically just about murder. I don't think it's as good as the previous tracks. But nonetheless it's still not something to skip. The low sound quality kinda makes it hard to hear what they're saying, but just turn the volume up and it shouldn't be much of a problem. A very good song. (B+)

Intro 2 - The second intro on here. You see, this was originally released on cassette only, so on side A and B there was an intro. This is for side B. All it is basically is all 3 members chanting "House Of Krazees" over a nice beat and R.O.C. re-introducing HOK. It's another good intro, but I'm not rating it. (N/A)

House Of Krazees - Very good short track with Big Jay and E.X.P. spittin' that wicked shit. Dark gangsta shit. R.O.C. does not vocally appear on this song, but he did produce the beat which he did a good job at sampling a rock song. It may take some time to grow on you because it's different production-wise then the previous tracks, but it's good once you get used to it. (A-)

Pigskinnas - HARSH song about killing cops. All 3 drop some dope rhymes about killing cops. This is definitely the song for you if you hate 5-0. This track would never get mainstream exposure. Ever. I love this song. The beat is nice, could have been a little better, but them rhymes make this sogn what it is. (A)

Diary Of A Madman - GODDAMN! This song is EVIL! The darkest song on the album, no question. All 3 spit some horror raps over a dark, eerie beat made by R.O.C. I love tracks like this. Great way to end this album. (A+)

Overall rating: 4 ½ stars

In conclusion: Although these 3 kids were hella young and had very little recording sources. They managed to drop a fucking dope tape! The only real complaints I have it the sound-quality on some tracks and it's too short! But short is sweet. Well done Big Jay, E.X.P. & The R.O.C., well done. Although HOK has disbanned, they continue to rock shit together. Today Big Jay and E.X.P. are in a well known rap duo known as Twiztid and The R.O.C. still produces and raps with them. It's amazing what average no-name people can do with cheap recording equipment and a few flyers to promote themselves. I advise everyone on RA to download this album. If you enjoy the old dark Three 6 Mafia albums, I'm sure you will love this. It's dark, it's funky, it's gangsta all rolled into one. Just an all around dope album. Love this! I'll be reviewing their sophomore album "Home Bound" soon. Until then, bump this.

Here is the link to "Home Sweet Home", download, bump and tell me what you think.

♣ŦĦẬ ĎØÑ♣

Nice job mane, props

-Bad-

twiztid

Justin Linker

TWiZTiD!!!!!!

fv_

thanks