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Much Ado About Nothing: The Nothing will perform at Gettysburg’s Ragged Edge Coffee House at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28. Photo by Leon Laing.

Digital Villains
On 2008’s Closer, The Nothing crafted an eclectic album. The production ranges from jazzy horn loops to soulful grooves, which includes the somber instrumental from James Brown’s classic “King Heroin.” Influenced by the Soulquarians, such as Common, J Dilla, Mos Def and De La Soul, the group delivered witty, lighthearted lyrics and skits on Closer. 

One year later, the Gettysburg-based collective returns with Digital Villains. On the previous album, the group preached on songs, such as “Invest.” The group continues to kick the truth to the young urban youth on Digital Villains. “Use your degree, go ahead, get a real profession,” Wally suggests on “Kick It.”

The trio gets its creative juices flowing on “Rich.” On this track, a guy aptly named Rich symbolizes materialism. “Stupid and poor looked up to him, shining shoes/they even smiled at him when they served him fast food/Rich is that dude…” Wally spits. “Like This” is another banger, having a similar to beat to Jigga’s “Dead Presidents.” There is a downside: This disc has more fillers than Closer. (The house music-flavored “Feel Good Music” sounds contrived.) And a few of the similes in their lyrics lack creativity.

Aside from that, these backpack rappers give balance to Central Pa. hip-hop—we already have enough hardcore MCs. Also, the artwork of Digital Villains looks more professional than some of the local CD covers that I’ve seen. And the CD itself was cleverly designed to look like a vinyl album. Recorded at the local Green Room Studios, the CD is available for download on iTunes.

The group gives a praiseworthy live performance. Witness them at Gettysburg’s Ragged Edge Coffee House at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28.