Blackalicious, the dynamic Bay Area hip-hop duo revered for Gift of Gabs lyrical acumen and Chief Xcels transformative soundscapes, are back with renewed vitality, after a decade-long hiatus since their most recent album, 2005s The Craft. On September 18th, the tandem will unveil their much-anticipated fourth full-length album Imani, Vol. 1, the product of a successful crowdfunding initiative via PledgeMusic.
The thumping, empowering Black Pride anthem Blacka, which premiered last Friday on Noisey, is the latest offering from the groups forthcoming LP, following the previously released On Fire Tonight. Over an infectious Lee “Scratch” Perry vocal sample and a funky, Chief Xcel-blessed track, Gift of Gab pays homage to various pillars of black dignity, in the process namechecking civil rights icons (Marcus Garvey, Rosa Parks), popular culture (Good Times, Soul Train, Whats Happening), hip-hop luminaries (Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions, Poor Righteous Teachers, X Clan, Brand Nubian), and beyond.
Much respect to Blackalicious for keeping the flame of incisive, inventive hip-hop music burning bright. Stream Blacka below and be sure to catch these gentlemen on tour now through November.
PRE-ORDER Blackalicious Imani, Vol. 1 via Amazon | iTunes
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