Blackalicious
Maybe I am old and out of the loop, but I just discovered the genius of Blackalicious, and it took a Jewish guy from Long Island to introduce me.
Blackalicious, in case you don’t know, is two man hip-hop/rap combo (Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel) that kicks total ass. Read this bio. They have collaborated with some of the smarter, poet rappers of the last few years - guys like Mos Def, Kanye West, and Talib Kweli. Blackalicious is smart and deliberate, and talented as hell. The beats are old school, and lyrics are sharp, articulate and very smart. These guys are like Cool Mo D with a master’s degree.
The track that first turned me was Alphabet Aerobics (2.5 MB MP3), and brilliant exercise in vocabulary and alliteration. He starts off slow and takes verse by verse, letter by letter, and works his ways through the alphabet as the tempo builds to an unbelievable pace. This track is fantastic. Thanks Jeff.
A sister song to Alphabet Aerobics, is Chemical Calisthenics (4.6 MB MP3). One half educated hip-hop, one half School House Rock, this track educates as it kicks your balls in.
Download these MP3s from me, but seriously, Blackalicious actually has a great website where you can listen to all the songs from the latest album. Enjoy.
[via Jeff.]
Oh - and it’s “Kool Moe Dee” not “Cool Mo D”
old: yes.
out of the loop: yes.
have you ever heard of this great new band called “A Tribe Called Quest”…?
Hey there Chris! Welcome to the year 2004, almost 2005 actually! Holy moly I can’t believe you hadn’t heard any Blackalicious prior to your Jewish friend showing you! If you don’t mind me asking what the hell were you listening to prior to this life altering experience of finally finding good music? Anyway if you haven’t check out Atmosphere, Dilated Peoples, Kool Keith, Kutmasta Kurt, and Motion Man. Check Ya Later