Blackalicious need no introduction. The hip hop duo have returned in fine form this year, dropping their first studio album in ten years in Imani Vol.1. The Swahili word for ‘Faith’, Imani Vol.1 has shown the California act’s desire to continue exploring and developing upon a melting pot of musical influences remain a dominant character. Collaborations with Amde Hamilton and Zap Mama on the album are two particular examples of some stellar fusions of hip hop with licks of Afro-pop and soul, though when listening to the new Blackalicious joints as a whole collection, that quintessential Gift of Gab/Chief Xcel flavour stands out strong as ever.
“We’re fans of music, period.” Gab notes. “It’s been ten years since the last Blackalicious record, but we’ve never stopped creating. I’ve done a few solo records and Excel has done a record and we’ve been working others, so we’ve continued making music but it was time to get back to the mothership!”
As to how both he and Xcel have felt about releasing Imani Vol.1 after such a long time in between albums, Gab is nothing but excited about this new chapter of Blackalicious’ career.
“I feel great.” he says brightly. “All of the reviews that I’ve read have been really good and it feels like the record is being received really well. I’m really excited. We did a tour in America and we’re out in Europe, Hong Kong and Malaysia, so I’m really excited.”
Imani Vol.1 the first out of a trilogy of releases planned by the duo, an ambitious move but a confident one, all the same. Having recovered from personal obstacles which would lead to the creation of perhaps some of Blackalicious’ more introspective songs yet has meant Imani Vol.1 definitely is representative of where the artists are at at this particular point in their lives. On some standout moments of the record, Gab affirms that the collaborative nature of the record had definitely been a highlight of the creative process this time round.
“Zap Mama was an incredible collaboration,” he agrees. “Also, Fantastic Negrito. Just our whole crew, all the other rappers on the record are Lateef, Lyrics Born and Vursatyl and Jumbo of The LifeSavas – that’s all family. Everyone that we worked with has become family.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oPQZbBhK24
“It’s very easy to work with X,” Gab says of the Blackalicious dynamic that still is going incredibly strong. “He knows the type of beats I sound good on and each track he produces sends me into a new direction. I love being able to create over the music he creates, you know? We pretty much think alike, musically. It’s not hard, it’s that Blackalicious chemistry. We met in 1989 when we were in high school, so it’s definitely a brotherhood.”
With final dates in Europe being rolled out, Blackalicious head to Asia where Clockenflap in Hong Kong and the Neon Lights Festival in Singapore await. As to when we might be graced with their presence, hopefully it won’t be too much longer!
“We’ve been to Europe plenty of times,” Gab says. “We’ve never been to Hong Kong and we’ve never been to Singapore, so I’m really looking to forward to that. It’s been really fun to do this album live and it’s been good to put together a new set and tour; we’re constantly adding on to it. We’ll be over there early next year, hopefully!”
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Imani Vol.1 is out now through Caroline Australia.
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