Words by Charles "CZA" Sweet II Rating: 2.5 out of 5.0
If you've heard of H.A.W.K or Paul Wall, then more than likely, you've heard of the Grit Boys. Grit, aka Ghetto Reality in Texas, includes members Poppy, Scooby, and Unique. After an appearance on Lil O's 2000 album, Da Fat Rat Wit Da Cheeze, the group began appearing on nearly all of H.A.W.K.'s mixtapes. After the loss of H.A.W.K., Paul Wall took the group under his wing and featured them on many of his mixtapes. The Hood's Last Hope was their first foray into the mixtape game, one that proved fruitful enough that TVT released their debut album, Ghetto Reality In Texas. A bit further back on the heels of the Southern takeover, the majority of the songs here are a tribute to all things Texas: candy 'llacs, icy "grills" and an abundance of syrup sipping. What separates this group from former lone-star-state representatives are their individual outlooks on life which blend seamlessly together.
A perfect example of this synergy is "Ghetto Reality," an instant head-nodder with a beat that shares the same sample as a song by a certain Marcy project native turned Def Jam executive. The syncopated hi-hats and well-sequenced horn stabs provide a lush canvas for murky tales to be painted with an honest and open optimism. "In the Mix" is a smooth players anthem, featuring H-Town alumni Lil Keke and Dallas newcomer Tum Tum in rare form, as all meld into an easily repeatable experience that just sets the mood to cruise during the midnight hour. "Feels Good" is the classic girl song; its gentle keys and silky guitar licks are sure to set the mood and get her right.
Just as there are some really good things on this album, fundamentally, by the same mark there are some really bad things that go hand in hand with debut albums. The first of the major no-no's is trying to get the same enthusiasm as a "Still Tippin'" with a subpar track like "Now 'N Later Paint." Not only does it not fit the albums structure and flow, the hook is so annoying that you're likely to skip it. The second slip up is "Fresssh," a song obviously trying to cash in on the Nitti beat explosion that rocked a year ago. Notice that nobody has songs like that anymore? Finally, the biggest faux pas on the album is the overbearing number of guest appearances. It seems like the A&R wasn't completely confident in the group's marketability, so every favor under the sun was pulled in. With that said, you can't really get a feel of the group because every other verse is someone other than the core members.
The Grit Boys as a group have a ton of potential, but this album really should've been reworked before coming out. With shoddy production at times, uninspired skits and less than 30% of the album actually being them, this album was geared for the Houston enthusiasts who's quick to snatch up anything Texas related. In the end, this body of work is missing... identity.
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