Rating:
  Review Date: June 20, 2007
  Website: Custom Made Website
  Label: Rawkus Records

Custom Made “Truth Be Told” Album Review
Recently I had a chance to visit a different county within the state that I reside; one in which I had never been before. It was good to get away even for only the few hours in which I was gone. What I noticed was despite the line in which I had to cross to visit this area; the environment was different but still the same and that’s a good thing. I get the same notion when listening to Custom Made’s Truth Be Told.  

No matter what area you are from, there is one thing in common within every community: the grind, the hunger, strength through adversity, racism, influences and more. What makes us unique is our approach to the various things that I mentioned. What Custom Made shows me is that young brothers of different backgrounds and mind states can come together to present something unique using good hip-hop music as the foundation despite their physical location and stereotypes.

Being from L.A., some would expect these emcee’s to use west coast slang and present topics common to the west coast way of life: gangs, what colors to not wear, etc; but these cats sound and paint pictures of their hood differently. They make a conscious effort to stand out but stay real at the same time. I find it pleasing in comparison to what I normally hear. Custom Made reminds me more of some east coast groups like Group Home and Pitch Black due to the sample selections, deliveries and tones of voice.

The production just as the rhyme styles reminds me more of that of the east as well; the 4 bar same chop and drums loops are more common to those from my region. Very rare if at all will you find any trademark west coast arrangements on this EP. The starter track “Where It Goes Down” is impressive despite the long intro; equipped with a deep, harmonious piano chord that creates an instant attention grabber. My second favorite would be “Round Here” for the sample selection and how it is embedded into the hook provided by Custom Made.

To win the attention of the hip-hop community, you have to pay dues and possess something that the community needs. Custom Made appears to be extremely hungry for success and have the lyrical abilities that may be lacking in their region. Who cares if they sound like the east when they are really from the west; hip-hop is universal and as long as you stay true to the culture and yourself, the doors to success are endless.

Lastly, I believe with a change in the drum sounds, less skits, expansion on the sample selection and instrumental presentation, this group will continue to gain international support from the hip-hop community. Throw in a few tracks without samples to expand your horizon, don’t be afraid to create from scratch.

- ScholarMan

Album Track Listing:

1. Where it goes down
2. Gutta rap
3. Rules are for suckaz
4. 07 i see
5. Hop life
6. Im home
7. Crime connection
8. Round here (we never miss)
9. Drop dimes
10. Hungry az fuck (gotta eat)