(HEAT EXCLUSIVE) Trio Review of Da U Boys’ Album, ‘Tha Shutdown’

“The Shutdown” by Da U Boys, Rue Rois Music CEOs and artists, is above the competition. Running away with their own Rue Rois Music independent label has set them apart from aspiring artists. After one listen to Da U Boys’ new album, “The Shutdown”, it’s evident that the New Orleans, Louisiana natives are destined for greatness. They show off a complete package seldom seen on the independent circuit. Da U Boys are truly an original, new voice in the gangsta rap world today. Acclaimed rappers and groups acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Longevity is the real key to Da U Boys’ success.” – Spiff Knight, CEO of PNG Ent.

It seems everybody expected Da U Boys’ release of “Tha Shutdown” to be successful – they just did not give enough credit to how successful that release would be. The album immediately shot to the top of the charts and at one point, made it as high as #2 on Amazon’s Gangster Rap Chart.

The Heat wants to recognize the accomplishments of Da U Boys and congratulate them. We got our downloads of “Tha Shutdown” as soon as it was available on iTunes and Amazon. After countless listens, we decided we were ready to issue our official view of the album. Joining me in the review is Devious, a seasoned rapper with over two decades in the industry, and Nyja Horton, urban poet, social media expert and consultant.

After a lot of banter back and forth, we decided to let Devious give us his thoughts on the album first, as he is also a huge supporter of Da U Boys, as well as a fellow artist.

Devious on “Tha Shutdown”

Perseverance, resilience, and ambition face off against opposition, trials and tribulations, and life experiences.  In some cases, it would be easier to concede and try something different.  New Orleans based rap group, Da U Boys beg to differ as they tackle the powers that be with a properly titled album, “Tha Shutdown.”

The opening track, “What It Take” questions the music industry’s willingness to support real-life rap music. “What else we gotta do? We done put down the ground work.” The music encompasses the struggle.

It would appear that the intro track would be enough, but add Fiend and an infectious beat to the Da U’s anthem, “Stop Our Shine,” and the meter of determination goes far beyond as these brothers make it plain by accentuating that no one will get in their way.

“Kill Me” is an expression of the reality of street culture in New Orleans and the responsibility of survival.

“Trapped” offers real game and verbal irony as Da U Boys speak of maintaining the quest for success while identifying with weights that oppress and tempt man to remain in the hustle game.

The heart of the grind over a banging beat defines “What It Is” as the brothers spit dope lyrics.

“Street Sh*t” serves as the symbol of this album because it reinstitutes the “classic era” of rap music as Da U speaks about their musical preferences.

Although America is leaning more to the alternative genres in certain situations, the music industry has been oversaturated with “microwave music” which has lowered the value of rap in general.  Da U Boys bring back realness to the game especially in the area of young fresh talent.  They actually serve as a model to the 21st century committee of rappers of how to create a “timeless” album that will be purchased residually like the UGK’s and Eightball and MJG’s of the 20th century.

All in all, the production on “Tha Shutdown” is immaculate and the entire album speaks volumes about “keeping it real,” on whatever level you’re on.  In addition, spiritual awareness and respect are elements of this album as heard in “JC” and “Tell Me.”

This body of work is a breath of fresh air and it does not follow the blueprint of “stuntin” and repetitive materialism.  Da U Boys show admiration for the “OG’z” and have a promising career.

“Tha Shutdown” is a rebuttal to stupidity in music but is actually the grand opening to a resurgence of authentic rap music in a genre that has been overshadowed by buffoonery and gimmick records.  Finally, another classic album from New Orleans independent rap world.

Arlene on “The Shutdown”

I think Devious’ review says it all in terms of the attributes and achievement of Da U Boys as a group, especially as related to their first album, “The Shutdown”. There really is not much else I can add, so I’ll jump right into my review.

Track 1: What It Take

Brilliant rant full of observations obviously about the hatred of the industry & maybe even against the artists who made the song.  I’m really not sure about that, but I am sure that it’s straight insight from Snoop, Rock & Louch. One listen & the frustration felt by Da U Boys is apparent, especially in Louch’s ending lyrics to the song, “…knew the game would be hard, but not this fake. They’ll smile in your face, but slither like a snake. They wanna see us bleed. They wanna see us cry, but if you ask me, they’d rather see us die. And the only question I got Lord is why?”

Track 2: Kill Me

Another brilliant statement by Rock, Snoop and Louch on the world around them. Snoop pleads, “Kill me or leave me alone” – quite a statement they make here.

Track 3: What It Is

Louch goes off on “What It Is”. From what we hear, this has been a favorite of many who have downloaded the CD. Rock and Snoop make it clear too that they’re all about their business and nobody better try to mess with that – another favorite of the masses.

Track 4: Stop Our Shine (featuring Fiend & S80)

#INSTANTCLASSIC here – it’s featuring Fiend & S80, so there really is not a whole lot more to mention here.

Track 5: Money Power Respect (featuring Young Jay)

A solemn track about real life in the hood, featuring Young Jay. It speaks of a bleak outlook from the streets to the courts, with hope of escape through living out their dreams.

Track 6: Trapped

Yet another favorite of many fans, “Trapped” speaks of the gritty reality of life in the streets and Rock’s hopes of escaping the lifestyle. Rock dropping knowledge is a given on every U Boys track ever made, but his intellectual skills are really showcased in this song.

“Don’t blame me. I’m a product of my environment.” – Rock

Track 7: Not Us

“We got the city on our back, the hood hold us down. We do it for our dawgs. We can’t never let em down. Not us.” “Not Us” speaks of loyalty for Da U Boys’ neighborhood, friends, family, and city. It’s yet another track that lets the listener know that what they’ve experience is as a real as it gets. Snoop, Rock and Louch really let loose on this track.

“We’re three hikers on the same paper trail.” – Louch

Track 8: Body Niggaz (Featuring Strait Jigg)

Strait Jigg sets this track off, in his unique style, following on the heels of Snoop and Louch.

“Shoot to kill, knocking your neck out your necklace.” – Snoop

Track 9: Game Spittin (Featuring Corner Boy P)

This track is sure to capture national attention. It almost has a versatile East Coast sound to it. Corner P, Rock, Louch, and Snoop give us a whole lot of insight into their outlook in “Game Spittin”.

Track 10: Let’s Go (Featuring Rantz Davis)

An R&B mix featuring Rantz Davis that is sure to garner a lot of attention from females. It’s a sexy track that’s sure to be a national hit.

Track 11: Tell Me (Featuring Tyga McCoy)

This is another track that demonstrates the intellectual ability of Da U Boys – a track that leaves you feeling exactly what they’re feeling when they’re calling on the Lord to show them his plan throughout all of the trials and tribulations they’ve experienced. Once again, Louch rips up the track with lyrical greatness.

Track 12: Street Sh*t (Featuring Mia X)

“Street Sh*t” is sure to be a favorite track from “Tha Shutdown”.  Da U Boys really go off on this track, not to mention Mama Mia X herself is featured. Mia X hasn’t lost a thing over the years – if anything, her flow is even smoother than when we last heard from her. “Street Sh*t” pays homage to all of our Down South lyrical heroes, in a most respectful manner. They did this!

Track 13: JC

This track is so deep that I had tears in my eyes the first time I heard it – and the second and third and beyond. In “JC”, Snoop shows us his realness by demonstrating nothing but humility and reverence for Jesus Christ himself. This track deserves a real listen by everybody. Snoop speaks of how we all fall short of the glory of the Lord and how we could never be deserving of his sacrifice for us.

“Only soldier I know that went to war without a gun …How deep is your love? How hard did you cry to have your only child die, only to have him rise? … See, I know why you live. I know what you gave. I know who you saved … I’m never giving up the faith in my God.”

Words really cannot describe the depth shown by Snoop in this track. Many blessings will certainly bestowed upon him for having the courage to speak on his faith in such a way. Snoop did his thing on this track – so much so that any rapper would be hard pressed to make a better cut.

Track 14: Pressure

Another track from Da U Boys warning of their capabilities. The production in these tracks, like all of the others, is off the charts.

Track 15: Strapped Up

OK, I have to say I’m in love with the whole album, but this is probably one of my favorite cuts, if I had to pick just one. It is very reminiscent of the Hot Boyz. Snoop, Rock and Louch flow well together on this track.

“Flex up and you gonna get it how you want it …” – Louch

Track 16: Pick It Back Up

A powerful club song that is guaranteed to be a breakout success as a single. This will be one that becomes a club classic.

Track 17: Tha Truth

Louch does his thing on this solo track. It’s smooth and has a distinctive flow. Nothing else really needs to be said about it, other than it fully demonstrates his ability to serve up lyrical greatness.

Nyja on “Tha Shutdown”

If I had to take track titles from “Tha Shutdown” and make them into a U Boys motto, it would go a little something like this: “Dey can’t ‘Stop Our Shine’ . We ‘Da Truth’ & dats ‘What It Is’. Don’t play wit us – we stay ‘Strapped Up’ & we ‘Body Niggaz.

That being said, here are my top picks from “Tha Shutdown” – and these get a 5 mics ranking:

• Body Niggaz—Da U Boys busting on dis intro coming hard like an army letting da rap game know dey better be ready cuz dey bouta Shut It Down. They’re keeping straight New Orleans with this No Limit styled track.
• Game Spittin—Da U Boys giving you the street game how it’s issued to you through the eyes of a Hollygrove vet on dis cool pimped out track…something to rock out to driving 2 miles per hours.
• JC—this track makes you stop and think of all things you go through and recognize and understand you can’t overcome any of it without the Lord’s help. Da U Boys acknowledge the Lord’s blessings, letting its listeners know without Him they’re nothing.
• Let’s Go—dis one for the ladieeeeesss…my confidence went up a couple of notches just listening to this track. Strictly for the grown & sexy…Da U Boys Let’s Go.
• Stop Our Shine—Da U Boys ft. Fiend lets you know no matter what obstacles come their way, they’re loyal to the music and no matter how much a person hates on them, they’re still going to shine. #Motivation for you to never give up on your dream.
• Strapped Up—If you love that old school New Orleans rap music the Hot Boys, Fiend, Black Menace, Mia X, Juvie, No Limit…Da U Boys delivers what the New Orleans rap game been missing on this track…let em hit you with a dose of this and you’ll bumping like its 94’…a 504 Classic
• Street Shit—and dis goes out to the whole 504 with Mia X on the cut to make it official…Da U Boys shows their dedication to the rap game “Riding” through the city of New Orleans bumping nothing but the real MC’s paying homage to all who pave the way for them to come and shut it down!!!!
• Tha Truth—all I can say is “Tha Truth” is the truth….da track is off da hook…Da U Boys keeping it real giving you the game raw and uncut…da track is wicked…A Certified Club Banger!!!!What It Takes—Da perfect outro, from track 1-17 Da U Boys has shown da world “What It Takes” to cause a ShutDown!!!!

If you think of New Orleans rap music of today and all you hear is bounce in your ear, well Da U Boys is here to set the record straight with Tha Shutdown…banging tracks with dope lyrics from 1-17…its been a long time since I had it served to me like dis…Big Ups to Da U Boys.