Let’s Call It A Movement: Heartbreak Kids Gang

IAMSU!-Rapper/Producer

Major Projects: Kilt; $uzy 6 $peed; Million Dollar Afro (with Problem); Kilt 2

Notable Songs (abridged): “Function”; “Father God”; “Rep That Gang”;  “Let Go” ; “Millons”; “Best Thing Yet”; “On Citas (Feat. Keak Da Sneak & Mister FAB)”; “Hipster Girls”; “5^th Wheel”; “Tell the World”; “Goin’ Up (Feat. Wiz Khalifa)”; “Losin (Feat. Losin’)”; “100 Grand (Feat. Juvenile & Kool John)”; “Knock That Off (Feat. Problem)”; “Wassup (Feat. Problem & Too Short)” and many more

IAMSU! is the general and leader of the HBK Gang. He has been making his rounds for quite some time, and has released an impressive body of work. He is one of the biggest names coming out of the Bay Area right now, and his ascension is reminiscent of the rise of E-40 and Mac Dre. He gained a lot of respect for his participation on E-40’s “Function”, where he held his own against an all star feature list. If you don’t know who he is right now, it is reasonable to say that you will shortly.

The problem with being the next to bat in the Bay is that everyone is going to naturally compare him to the legends. While comparisons to Mac Dre and E-40 are well deserved, he has a lot more to offer than the usual sounds from the region. He may be one of the most versatile rappers right now. Yes, he can definitely do the fast hyphy style that is associated with the Bay, and he can infuse the intricate slang from the region into his lyrics. However, he doesn’t have to solely rely on those talents.

His latest project—Kilt 2—displays this right from the beginning. “Father God”, the opening track, reinterprets the typical Bay Area sound—making it much darker and contemplative. On the track he just spits, not trying to get listeners up and dancing or sad and depressed, rather just really reciting bar after bar. “Drake told niggas that he started from the bottom, but if you dig a little deep, that’s probably where you’ll find us”  He can flat out rap, and the fact that he could do the hyped party songs makes him even more engaging.

Also he produces, really well. On Kilt 2 he produced 9 of the songs, including “Father God”. It is impressive that he is so multitalented, and that creative probably helps out a lot. He does have a signature sound that he revolves around, but he knows when and how to change it up to keep listeners interested.