Let’s Call It A Movement: Heartbreak Kids Gang

HBK CJ/ Clarence J-Rapper

Major Projects: 2.0; Crash Course; State of Mind; Dark Zero

Notable Songs: “Girls Girls”; “Stay (Feat. Hi-Ke)”; “Filthy (Feat. Show Banga & Kool John”; “Crash Course”; “Ashley”; “Message to Another Time”; “Stuntin”; “Ready”;  “Poor Hood”; “Associated”;  “Dear Brother”

HBK CJ style has progressed by leaps and bounds between his first project, Crash Course, and his latest, Dark Zero. While he has always discussed bad b***hes as much as the typical rapper, on his second offering he took it to a new level. 2.0 was filled with references to his sexual exploits and what he wants to do. Including multiple songs that have moans embedded into the beat, one being “Put It In”.  To his credit, it doesn’t come off as corny or soft; instead, it evokes a sensual mood that is a good soundtrack to late night activities.

At the same time, CJ is a great storyteller. On “Ashley”, he delves into a very personal, depressing story about a girl he was dating that died while getting a standard abortion. Set to a very smooth string led R&B sample, he spits “So now it’s only me left from the three of us/What the F*ck, I’m not believing this/ I’m still waiting for her to wake me/I must be dreaming this.” It’s a gripping tale, and really pulls at your heart strings to hear him go through such a dark point. He paints the entire picture, almost effortlessly. It’s a standout track from the entire HBK discography. One deserving of multiple listens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY9rxChn96w

He has recently changed his name to Clarence J, which might represent his maturity. His two latest tapes: State of Mind and Dark Zero, while still filled with party or hype songs, also sees the emcee delve into deeper issues. He talks a lot about the social problems that he sees taken his community under. “Poor Hood” is by far one of the most conscious songs in the HBK discography. Clarence mourns the pitfalls that are presented to adolescents in the hood and the lack of opportunity for the youths. He concludes multiple times, that Jail seems like the only direction for these children, because they don’t have direction. It’s a depressing song, but one that allows him to air out his personal feelings.