Stickz And Stonedz by Ferozkhan: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Alright, let’s talk about Stickz And Stonedz, the 2000 Hip Hop gem from Ferozkhan that came straight outta the Netherlands. Released under Inside Nation, this album might not have blown up globally, but it’s got that raw, underground vibe that makes you sit up and pay attention. It’s like finding an old mixtape in your buddy’s car—unexpectedly dope.
First off, the tracklist has some bangers and a couple of skits that feel kinda random, but hey, it’s 2000, so skits were still kinda cool back then (or at least people thought they were). Two tracks that really stuck with me are “Reality Is Scary” and “Don’t Stop (Don’t Quit).”
“Reality Is Scary” hits different right from the jump. The beat is grimy yet smooth, like walking through fog in the middle of the night. Ferozkhan’s flow on this one feels personal, almost like he’s spilling his guts over the mic without overthinking it. He talks about life struggles, chasing dreams, and how messed up reality can get. Honestly, it’s one of those songs that sticks with you because it doesn’t try too hard—it just is. Plus, the hook? Super catchy. You’ll be humming it for days.
Then there’s “Don’t Stop (Don’t Quit),” which shows up twice on the album—probably cuz Ferozkhan knew it was fire. This joint is pure motivation wrapped in boom-bap goodness. The drums slap hard, and the energy is infectious. It’s the kind of song you blast when you’re feeling low or need that extra push to keep going. The lyrics aren’t groundbreaking, but they don’t need to be—they hit the spot. There’s something comforting about hearing someone remind you to stay focused and keep grinding, ya know?
The rest of the album has its moments too. Tracks like “Bigga” and “Southsights” bring their own flavor, though nothing quite matches the replay value of the ones I mentioned earlier. And yeah, the skits—"Die B-cause (Skit)" and all those “Yeaah” bits—are kinda meh, but whatever, they add character, I guess.
What strikes me most about Stickz And Stonedz is how unapologetically real it feels. It’s not trying to be shiny or polished; it’s just Ferozkhan doing his thing. Like, you can tell he made this for himself first and everyone else second. That authenticity shines through even 20+ years later.
Here’s the wild part though—why isn’t Ferozkhan bigger? Dude had talent, and this album could’ve easily held its own against other indie Hip Hop projects from that era. Maybe it was bad timing, maybe it was the label, who knows? Either way, Stickz And Stonedz deserves more shine than it got.
So if you’re into digging for hidden gems or love raw Hip Hop vibes, give this album a spin. Just don’t expect perfection—it’s rough around the edges, but that’s what makes it special. Oh, and fun fact: listening to this feels like stepping into a time machine where Napster was king and phones didn’t have cameras. Crazy, right?
