BlakRoc

I am a huge fan of The Black Keys.

I bought Rubber Factory after hearing one song play in a Borders in Rochester, New York and it's been non-stop ever since. I own all the albums, half of 'em on vinyl, too. I keep track of the duo's side projects, ancillary groups, groups they like, influences etc.

I like to think I can push that aside and look at everything they touch fresh each time. I don't know how much of that I actually can do, but I like to think I try. It just so happens that every time I'm floored. Dan Auerbach's solo album - and his live show in particular - is stunning. One of my all time favorites. I guess I wasn't initially all that moved by Magic Potion, but it's got a couple of my favorite Black Keys tracks on it.

So the latest project the boys from Akron have going is a little hip-hop experiment. It is called BlakRoc.

And everything I've heard is awesome.

Again, I like to think I bring in some skepticism before listening to their stuff, but this is just jaw-droppingly cool stuff. I've been hooked since I heard the first single "Ain't Nothing Like You (hoochie coo)" featuring Mos Def and Jim Jones. Here's a link to Dollaz & Sense featuring RZA and Pharoahe Monch.

The album is produced by Damon Dash and features a laundry list of who's who in hip-hop. Including, somehow, ODB.

Anyway, I'm pretty friggin' excited.

And to help with the anticipation, I suppose, they've been releasing short movies on a weekly basis. The videos show the process of laying down tracks. The BlakRoc album was recorded over 11 days with 11 different artists. It looks like Dan and Pat would have a beat lined up, they'd invite an MC in. The MC would listen, get into it, write some lyrics down and spit.

My favorite episode is the latest one, featuring Nicole "Nikki" Wray. I think it's perfect. It's a little more intimate than the rest of them and it is a little more revealing, I think, of the process of getting the song from head to tape.

If you're digging what these fellas are laying down, I recommend you check out the rest of the videos. Also, I will be elbowing you out of my way at Bullmoose on Friday.

Just a heads up.

Also -
Hope You're Happy - featuring Q-Tip, Nikki Wray and Billy Danze.
On The Vista - featuring Mos Def.

Posted by Krister