The Doppelgangaz – “Bet on Black Cloak” review

Orange County, New York duo The Doppelgangaz back with their 13th EP on Halloween. Consisting of MCs/producers Matter ov Fact & EP, they’ve gone on to make waves in the underground by dropping a total of 8 full-length albums as well as a dozen EPs & 6 beat tapes. Standouts include their breakout sophomore effort Lone Sharks, the follow-up Hark, their 5th album Dopp Hopp, Aaaaggghh, Black Cloak Lifestyle & Went Left. The latter of which got a sequel this summer, assuring that you can Bet on Black Coat a few months later.

“Dopp Gang Thang” starts off with a piano-boom bap instrumental talking about being the game never being the same again whereas “6 Ways 2 Sunday” dustily flexes that they do things the dumb way. “Wacky Wild Crazy” works in some pianos to talk about acting that way sometimes while “Don’t Mess with Them Sharks” advises that you don’t wanna fuck with them. “Whatchu Wanna Do?” soulfully asks their partners that very question for the evening & “Live 2 Regret It” ends with a message to the hardheaded.

The ghastly duo continue to warm up for their forthcoming 9th LP by taking it back to the traditional boom bap sound that made The Doppelgangaz so popular in the underground after taking a quick g-funk detour with a rawer, more rugged, dustier & dirtier extended play than the slept-on Groggy Pack Entertainment founders have ever sounded almost 2 decades in the game.

Score: 4/5

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The Doppelgangaz – “Still Left” review

This is the 12th EP from Orange County, New York duo The Doppelgangaz. Consisting of MCs/producers Matter ov Fact & EP, they’ve gone on to make waves in the underground by dropping a total of 8 full-length albums as well as 11 EPs & 6 beat tapes. Standouts include their breakout sophomore effort Lone Sharks, the follow-up Hark, their 5th album Dopp Hopp, Aaaaggghh, Black Cloak Lifestyle & Went Left. Been almost a couple years since the latter embarking on a west coast sound as opposed to their roots & they’ve decided to hit us with a sequel to it.

After the “JO VM” intro, the title track was a g-funk opener showing their love for the sunshine state once again whereas “All in Your Mind” works in a piano/boom bap instrumental talking about taking it all in stride. “Do It Like We” brings the funk influences back in the fold boasting that nobody can do shit on their level while “Would’ve Had a Hit” is a g-funk heavy stoner’s ballad. “Too Too Much” caps it all off with 1 final g-funk joint to play when you’re out in the weekends.

Continuing the G Pack saga in the 23 months since they initially Went Left, The Doppelgangaz once again shift away from the traditional boom bap style of the Groggy Pack Entertainment founders’ home turf in favor of drawing inspiration from the west coast scene once again embracing the g-funk production with ease & carrying over the original’s playful subject matter.

Score: 4/5

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The Doppelgangaz – “Went Left” review

The Doppelgangaz are an East Coast hip hop duo from Orange County, New York consisting of MCs/producers Matter ov Fact & EP. Within the last 15 years, they’ve gone on to make waves in the underground by dropping a total of 8 full-length albums as well as 7 EPs & 6 beat tapes. Standouts include their breakout sophomore effort Lone Sharks, the follow-up Hark, their 5th album Dopp Hopp the follow-up to that Aaaaggghh. But coming fresh off their 8th LP Black Cloak Lifestyle last winter, they’re going left on their 8th EP.

“Easy Street” is a g-funk opener to the EP looking to get everyone’s hands up in the air & recite a prayer from the 2 cloak players that stay representing Groggy Pack Entertainment whereas the title track delves further into the g-funk realm justifiably flexing that they really did turn left here considering their East Coast roots. “Cloakland” takes the spacious route with some heavy synthesizers & more g-funk influences during the hook welcoming you to the titular city, but then “Cloak Life” ends the EP with 1-last g-funk banger as both Matter ov Fact & EP themselves talk more about the Black Cloak Lifestyle they live.

Considering the title of Went Left, I went into it expecting to be a change of pace for the New York duo & sure enough: I was highly impressed with what they delivered on here. Quite possibly the riskiest EP in their whole entire catalog. Instrumentally, they ditch the traditional boom bal sound they became known for in favor of showing their love & appreciation for the west coast by recapturing what made g-funk so special 3 decades ago meshing that well with more vibrant lyrics.

Score: 4/5

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