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Need to know: Chiddy Bang consists of rapper Chidera “Chiddy” Anamege, a.k.a. Proto, and Noah “Xaphoon Jones” Beresin, who met while studying at Drexel University, in Philadelphia, PA. The two musicians gained success online when their mixtape The Swelly Express went viral on their MySpace page and the website Pretty Much Amazing. The Swelly Express grabbed the attention of EMI, who signed the band in 2010. Their breakout song, The Opposite of Adults, which sampled MGMT’s Kids, burned up the charts in the UK and US. Known for their use of rock, pop and indie samples in their hip hop songs, Chiddy Bang has paid homage to everyone from Gorillaz, Ellie Goudling, Kate Nash, Radiohead and Hot Chip.

In 100 words or so: Chiddy Bang’s debut full length album is most successful when the band is doing what they’re known for, that is, laying down fresh rhymes over well known samples. Sampling MGMT’s Kids on their breakout track Opposite of Adults (check out the amazing video here) and Sufjan Steven’s Chicago on All Things Go represent the strongest offerings from The Preview. Chiddy’s rhymes are innovative and original, as are the group’s homemade beats, but the momentum the album gains from their standout tracks is not maintained throughout the entire album.

Best tracks: Opposite of Adults, All Things Go, Nothing on We

RIYL: Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco, Mike Posner, Asher Roth

Buy, download, steal or don’t bother: Download

Listen hear: The Preview

Tags: Chiddy Bang, first spin

Posted on Thursday, October 7th, 2010 at 12:10 pm by Allison and is filed under Blog, first spins, Music & Videos, Reviews.

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