Team Blackout

The boys of Team Blackout consist of Reggie, Zach, and most notably Rev. Run’s (member of the legendary Run DMC) son Jojo, a.k.a. Young Simmons. Most of their fame has been established by their appearances on MTV’s “Run’s House,” where their rise has been partly televised.

The release of their album on August 19 probably won’t cause a lot of ruckus, even with the addition of Rockwilder, whom the guys recruited as a “big name” to produce a track. What’s written all over “Lights Out” is the fact that the boys are still wet behind the ears, and their voices have yet to be found.

The ability to slide right into a record deal seems effortless due in part to Rev. Run’s clout, and the opportunity they’re given to produce something worthwhile seems taken for granted. “Why Wouldn’t I” has the teenagers regurgitating what a lot of ego-driven artists expound on today, which illustrates their lack of originality. Young Simmons annoyingly boasts over a minimal beat: “I got cars, why wouldn’t I floss it, I’m gettin’ money, why wouldn’t I toss it?/ And everybody got something to say, so I ask ‘em: Why wouldn’t I?”

“J5 On ‘Em” wreaks havoc on the ears, being nothing but a lone thumping beat with the yells of DJ Webstar upping the track and the crew. Unfortunately, the Blackout boys spit rhymes that no one will remember over the most minimalist, uninteresting beat ever heard.

Keeping up with the “minimalist” tradition, the Team adds another joint to the pot with “Lights Down Low.” It includes elements of Snoop’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” and some Swizz Beats concoction. “Automatic” is a fast-tempo joint that illustrates the clichéd ego and swagger to the fifth power. Think of something that would give Diddy millions.

In the end, Team Blackout doesn’t present anything new to hip-hop. “Lights Out” only pollutes the scene with more of the usual, but on the up side (the very small up side) the Team will probably appeal to the “106 and Park” crowds. It is them that they should rely on to stay alive in this industry.