Kidz In The Hall – Occasion [7.5]

The Kidz In The Hall are back with their fourth studio album, Occasion. While albums that make you want to dance come a dime a dozen, albums that make you wanna celebrate are a little more difficult to come by. But that’s exactly what Occasion does.

Naledge and Double-O have a talent for finessing a beat to create tracks that don’t just speak to listeners, but also evoke feelings.

“Real Life,” which opens the album, and “Occasion” set the tone early. Right away we’re treated to an epiphany in song form. The two realize that their real lives are the manifestations of all their dreams come true. I’d say that alone is a reason to pour a glass and make a toast. “Occasion” continues on the celebratory vibe. “Now usually I don’t, but this is an occasion…” lets you know we’re about to get into some debauchery.

“Break It Down” gives us a break from partying to show off the rappers’ gift for pairing lyrics with dope beats to produce something that’s easy to listen to. It has a nouveau-’80s feel that suits the duo’s vocals well.

The remaining tracks continue in the same vein as the first few. “Pour It Up,” featuring Bun B and David Banner, is a must-listen. On the track, the two quip: “We goin’ get drunk, pour it up for Pimp C / If we got enough time, we goin’ smoke for Biggie.” It’s the perfect example of how Kidz In The Hall’s vocals plus a dope beat equals a banger. “I Swear,” the last track on the album, brings full circle the realizations shared on “Real Life.” It does its job of giving us a better look into the guys of Kidz In The Hall and bringing Occasion to a close.

Occasion brings with it a refreshing feel that’s present on every track, even the slower ones. The beats are phenomenal and it’s easy to focus on them alone. While there are some songs I like more than others, I can guarantee you’ll enjoy a straight listen-through of the album.

Words by Mia Drane-Maury