Although Berkeley is admittedly lacking in several aspects — quality universities and places that don’t smell like urine, to name a few — something they do have is one of the hottest rap groups in the Bay Area. The Pack, an amalgamation of four Berkeley high school students, is the new poster-group for the next generation of self-proclaimed hyphy artists to come out of the greater Bay Area in the past year. Their hit song, “Vans,” reached number 23 on national hip-hop charts and was named the #5 song of 2006 by Rolling Stone. For the group’s members, Young L, Stunna, Uno and Lil B, all of whom range from 16 to 18 years old, that’s quite an accomplishment. Especially considering that all this success is the result of a beat that was apparently constructed in five minutes. Hustle and flow, anyone?

Legendary East Oakland rapper and producer Too $hort, or so the story goes, heard “Vans” on a friend’s mix tape and embarked on a Bay-wide search to find the quartet. They were signed to his Jive records imprint, Up All Nite, within a week.

“Vans” holds a special place among other commercial hip-hop songs like Run DMC’s “My Adidas” and Nelly’s “Air Force Ones.” All the publicity, however, is not without its share of controversy. The Pack’s denunciation of Nikes is directly contrary to the previous hyphy norm of “white tee, black jeans and Nikes” established in 2004 by the Fairfield hyphy conglomerate, The Federation. Consequently, the group has come under fire from fellow artists. Drino Man, an Alameda emcee, immediately responded to the track with a song entitled “Fuck Vans,” which was, well, less than positive.

Their debut EP, From Skateboards 2 Scrapers, isn’t a bad album by any means. The seven songs seem to add enough to flesh out the group beyond the ubiquitous “Got my vans on but they look like sneakers.”

The leadoff track, the ever-popular “Vans,” is without a doubt the best tune on the album. It’s infectious and a semi-departure from your traditional macho posturing. The song is basically all about Vans, what sizes and colors each individual member wears and how to wear them. “Lace ‘em past the fourth hole, you some type of sucker.”

Cult classics are a hard act to follow on any album, but especially on this one. The next few tracks, “I’m Shinin’,” “Ride My Bike” and “Candy” are decent but not nearly up to the same level. The hook, which provides so much of the appeal for “Vans,” is painfully lacking. “Oh Go” and “Freaky Bopper” are better, but the catchy quality that haunts your sleep simply isn’t there.

It’s disappointing that with a vast library of great material from previous albums, Wolfpack Muzik Vols. 1 and 2, the group would select these songs for its first widely released album. “I’m a Boss,” “Booty Bounce Bopper,” “Ice Creams,” “Uno,” “Blueberrys” and “Yes Sir” are all vastly superior to the other tracks on this album.

Personally, I was so pumped after I bought

the album at Best Buy in East Paly that I forgot myself temporarily and almost blew out the tiny subwoofer in my car. In terms of music, “Vans” is phenomenal but some of the other tracks on “Skateboards 2 Scrapers” are certainly forgettable. At the very least, go listen to the single. This album marks a reassuring trend of sustainability within the hyphy movement itself, despite divisive tendencies. It’s a great album to have (especially when it’s on sale).

Did Mac Dre wear vans? The jury is still out.