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Biographie
Founders Gift of Gab, otherwise known as Timothy Parker and Chief Xcel also known as Xavier Mosley first met during their time at John F. Kennedy High School in 1987. Parker had originally been from the Los Angeles suburb of San Fernando Valley and Mosley from the San Francisco Bay Area. The two however did not form Blackalicious until 1992, when Mosley became a student at the University of California at Davis, and Parker had moved nearby.
During this time Mosley contributed the the hip hop crew SoleSides featuring members DJ Shadow, Lateed the Truth Speaker and Lyrics Born. The crew developed a record label with the name SoleSides Records and in 1994 released Blackalicious’ debut single “Swan Lake”. The song proved popular within the alternative underground scene, and led to a subsequent EP the following year entitled “Melodica”. By this time Blackalicious were starting to make name for themselves for their positive approach to rap; Parker’s complex and tongue twisting delivery style and Mosley old-school bass and beat accompaniment.
In 1999, SoleSides Records, now under the name Quannum Records, released the duo’s follow-up EP “A2G”. The following year marked Blackalicious’ debut full-length “Nia”, (which is the Swahili word for purpose) the album was well received and led to the pair signing with MCA in late 2000. Two years later Blackalicious released their sophomore album “Blazing Arrow” which impressively features guest appearances from Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine, ?uestlove of the Roots, and soul singer Gil Scott-Heron.
The album was both commercially and critical acclaimed and allowed Parker and Mosley to develop their own individual projects. Blackalicious returned however in 2005 to release their third studio album “The Craft” to positive reviews.
Avis
There are few more dextrous and lyrically complex hip hop acts out there than Sacramento, California duo Blackalicious. Made up of rap genius Gift of Gab and the DJ and production whizz Chief Xcel, these two have been making some of the most fascinating rap music together since the early 90s, but didn’t release an album until 1999’s Nia, but their claim to fame will always be a certain song on their A2G EP, which we’ll come to soon. Blackalicious is part of the Quannum collective of California so they’ve often collaborated with the likes of DJ Shadow and some of the Jurassic 5 crew, meaning that their sound might be classic hip hop, but with that futuristic Quannum edge making sure the tracks never sound like they’re dated at all.
Live, there are two moments in particular which will blow your mind: traditional set closer ‘Chemical Calisthenics’ is a brilliant call and response with the crowd before Gift of Gab takes over with his breathless delivery of the Periodic Table, hardly pausing as his wordy delivery never misses a beat or fails to find a rhyme where you think there isn’t one. But it’s ‘Alphabet Aerobics’ that’s the true highlight; Xcel creates unfussy beats and scratches behind Gab’s incredible take on the alphabet, each line and lyric moving from A to B to C, right the way down to Z, without a moment’s hesitation. The craft and talent needed to think up this idea and then deliver it has to be admired, and there really are few MCs out there to match the wit and intelligence of Gift of Gab. Never has a rapper had a more fitting moniker.
AndyHannah
I think 90s Sacramento hip-hop outfit Blackalicious may have one of the best band names in history. The duo consisting of Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel have been performing on the live circuit for twenty years and with this level of dedication comes a great confidence in terms of performance style.
It doesn't matter if the crowd is large or small, they come out and entertain. Intent on making sure every single audience member is involved with the show and having the best possible experience, the two artists move constantly around the stage whilst their drummer keeps the beat in time and the DJ adds some much needed bass waves to keep the audience jumping on command. There is finally word of new music on the horizon however there is no early tasters for the fans tonight so they are left in suspense. There is compensation though in the form of hits including 'Deception' and 'Paragraph President' which go down an absolute treat and evoke massive cheers.
sean-ward
Amazing show! I had a great time. The staff at the venue was very friendly and accomodating. Blackalicious was Blackalicious. Fucking amazing. Check them out if you get the chance.
SaintBang
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