Hoodie Allen “All American” EP


Hoodie Allen released his sophomore EP last week entitled All American.  He dropped Bagels and Beats (his debut EP), back in 2009 through iTunes, but All American was really Hoodie Allen’s breakthrough project.  With 8 tracks featuring original production, catchy choruses, and solid verses by the LI native, Hoodie Allen delivered his best work thus far.  Hoodie Allen really shocked the people when he hit that number 1 spot on iTunes and managed to stay their for more than just one day.  How’d he do this? Read on to find out and stream/buy the EP after the jump.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t431MAUQlQ]

In between the release of Bagels & Beats and All American, Steven Markowitz aka Hoodie Allen let go two free mixtapes: Pep Rally and Leap Year (check them out here).  These two tapes gave Hoodie a very strong fan base that he managed to stay in touch with on a daily base.  One of the biggest reasons for the success of All American is Hoodie’s interaction with his fans.  He doesn’t mind putting in the time to reply to late night tweets, facebook messages etc. just to explain that he appreciates all of the fans.  The only other rapper I can vouch for being as interactive with his fans as Hoodie is my boy, Logic.  *Watch the music video to the first single off of the EP, “No Interruption” above.

Secondly, Hoodie headlined his own tour in 2011 to go along with the release of his sophomore mixtape, Leap Year.  How many rappers do you know headline a tour with only two mixtapes out? Not only did he headline his own tour, but Hoodie Allen went on to sell out shows on this tour. He sold out the legendary SOBs and went on to selling out Webster Hall in NYC (a show that the YGM team was lucky enough to attend). A live performance is just as important as the music created in a studio setting.  Hoodie stopped in Cali, Chi-town, Pittsburg, New York, Jersey, Ohio, and even Canada on his first headlining tour, and to top that before the release of All American Hoodie announced an upcoming tour for 2012 that will be even more expansive.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZKQUOApw1g]

Lastly, All American musically succeeded in it’s platform.  The platform being positive hip hop with uplifting beats and catchy choruses.  From the melodic first two tracks “Lucky Man” and “No Interruption” to deeper ones like “High Again”, Hoodie created a very solid project.  The end result is a really fun and upbeat 8-track EP.  *Watch the music video to my personal favorite “No Faith In Brooklyn” above.

Although Hoodie may not be the best technical upcoming rapper right now, he sure knows how to make feel good music, put on a dope live show, and interact with his fans.

Buy the All American EP on iTunes HERE

Catch Hoodie on The All American Tour w/ Wax.  Check out the dates below via HoodieAllen.com

DATE LOCATION VENUE TICKETS INFO
4.19.12 CLEMSON, SC FRIAR’S TAVERN BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
4.20.12 GREENVILLE, SC FURMAN UNIVERSITY BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
4.23.12 WASHINGTON, DC HOWARD THEATRE* BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
4.24.12 NEW YORK, NY HIGHLINE BALLROOM* BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
4.25.12 BOSTON, MA ROYALE* BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
4.26.12 WEST CHESTER, PA THE NOTE* BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
4.28.12 TORONTO, ON WRONGBAR BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
4.29.12 POUGHKEEPSIE, NY MARIST COLLEGE ON SALE TBA FACEBOOK
4.30.12 DETROIT, MI THE SHELTER* BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.01.12 CHICAGO, IL THE BOTTOM LOUNGE* BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.03.12 DENVER, CO BLUEBIRD THEATER* BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.05.12 DALLAS, TX PROPHET BAR* BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.06.12 HOUSTON, TX BRONZE PEACOCK* BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.08.12 PHOENIX, AZ MARTINI RANCH* BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.09.12 LOS ANGELES, CA EL REY* BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.10.12 OAKLAND, CA THE NEW PARISH BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.12.12 PORTLAND, OR PETER’S ROOM BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.13.12 SEATTLE, WA THE CROCODILE BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.16.12 MINNEAPOLIS, MN CABOOZE BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.17.12 IOWA CITY, IA BLUE MOOSE BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.18.12 ST. LOUIS, MO GRAMOPHONE BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK
5.20.12 PHILADELPHIA, PA NORTHSTAR BAR BUY TICKETS FACEBOOK

Buy the All American EP on iTunes HERE

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *