There’s a glut of hip-hop hopefuls in the Triangle, and though few find a way to break through the local noise, Durham’s The Koolest may be on to something.
In its newest LP, Nerds at the Kool Table, rappers Dan the Don and Dinero P have found a way to spin pop culture references, synth-pop samples and clever rhymes into an innovatively entertaining release.
Opening with a sample from CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory,” The Koolest breaks out Nerds at the Kool Table’s jovial tone, following with a groovy clarinet reminiscent of an early ‘90s sitcom.
The television theme runs prominently throughout, popping up notably in “Trip Hop” when Dan and Dinero sample an old Dave Chappelle stand-up sketch about an experience with psychedelic mushrooms.
“Dressed to Kill” samples a Jennifer Love Hewitt flick with heavy fuzzed-out synths and pieces of a Toro Y Moi track.
As Dinero’s passion for the synthesizer and Dan’s propensity for smoothly sweet raps bleeds in and out, Nerds at the Kool Table leaves you feeling like you just took a glorious spin in a pop culture blender.
Aside, Nerds at the Kool Table delivers more than self-congratulatory rap references and pop culture plugs. The vulnerability shown lyrically in the title track acknowledges a disconnect from the developing stereotype of a rapper.
Their talent is clear, and with Nerds at the Kool Table, Dan and Dinero bring your pre-summer pop-rap jam tape.
