The Kickback (2011) Though this is only their first album, the California collective have already been through a career's worth of lows (the May 2011 murder of member… Cali Swag District Hip-Hop/Rap Sony/Red
'DOUGIE' FRESH The newbie rockers have confidence and party rap songs to spare
'DOUGIE' FRESH The newbie rockers have confidence and party rap songs to spare
EW's GRADE
B+

Details Release Date: Jul 12, 2011; Lead Performance: Cali Swag District; Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap; Production: Sony/Red

Though this is only their first album, the California collective have already been through a career's worth of lows (the May 2011 murder of member M-Bone) and highs (even the First Lady knows how to Dougie). The Kickback contains the confidence of a veteran group, dancing on the high wire between sex-jam chasm and badass top-down-cruising canyon. Of course, the centerpiece is still ''Teach Me How to Dougie'' — think of it as the ''Smells Like Teen Spirit'' of trash-talking party rap. B+

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Drivetime-worthy Kickback
Breathlessly intense Ninth Inning

Originally posted Jul 13, 2011 Published in issue #1164 Order article reprints