The Northside Norseman by Young Kev: A Raw Slice of 2003 Hip Hop Hustle
Alright, let’s get into it. The Northside Norseman is one of those albums that doesn’t try to be anything it ain’t. Released back in 2003 under Cheez Factory Entertainment (yeah, I said Cheez with a "z"), this project from Young Kev hits like a blunt to the chest—gritty, unapologetic, and straight-up real. It’s got that raw US hip-hop vibe, where every track feels like a page ripped outta someone's diary… or maybe their hustle journal.
Now, you might think an album this old would feel dated, but nah, bruh. Tracks like “(Hustlin) What We Do To Survive” slap hard even today. The beat? Dark and brooding, like walking through the hood late at night when shadows stretch longer than your patience. And Young Kev? He spits bars about survival, grindin’, and just tryna make ends meet without losing himself along the way. You can hear the struggle in his voice—it ain’t polished, it’s not perfect, but damn if it ain’t authentic. That song sticks with me because it reminds me how music can tell stories we all kinda know deep down, whether we admit it or not.
And then there’s “Till Im Dead In The Grave.” First off, love the typo energy in the title—it’s messy, just like life sometimes. This joint is darker, heavier, almost haunting. The production sounds like something outta a forgotten underground club, all moody basslines and eerie synths. Kev goes off on this one, talking about loyalty, betrayal, and what happens when the streets swallow you whole. Every word lands like a punch—you’re either nodding your head or clutching your chest depending on how much you’ve lived through yourself.
The rest of the album has its moments too—I mean, tracks like “For My Gangstas” bring that OG dedication vibe while “The Matrix” flips some trippy beats that honestly sound ahead of their time. But it’s these two bangers that really stick in my brain long after the record stops spinning.
So yeah, The Northside Norseman. It ain’t flashy, it ain’t trying to win Grammys, and honestly? That’s why it works. Sometimes, art doesn’t need to be shiny to be sharp. Young Kev didn’t come to play games; he came to drop truth bombs over grimy beats and let us know exactly where he stands.
Here’s the wild part though: listening to this album now makes me wonder… did Young Kev ever imagine kids decades later still bumping his songs? Or was he just tryna survive till tomorrow? Either way, respect for keepin’ it 100. Shoutout to Cheez Factory Entertainment—hope y’all stocked up on snacks during those sessions ‘cause this album bangs harder than most things on streaming today.
