BLACKALICIOUS Return Aug. 14th with "Imani, Vol. 1"

The audacious album is only the beginning as Imani Vol. 1 is the first volume of a trilogy, and features appearances from Lifesavas, Lateef, Japanese-American rapper Lyrics Brown, funk band Monophonics, polyphonic Afro-Pop singer Zap Mama, and Fantastic Negrito who won a performance on NPR's "Tiny Desk". Bosko (Big Boi, Kanye West), Myron of retro soul duo Myron & E, Imani Coppola, and Amde Hamilton also appear on the record. "We wanted to keep the focus closer to us," Gab says. "Vol. 2 may be a bit more guest-heavy, but this one... we want people to get Blackalicious," he told Exclaim. Past albums have featured the likes of Zack de la Rocha and ?uestlove, among others.

Blackalicious is known for Gab's "astonishing verbal dexterity and enunciation" (Pitchfork) and "Xcel's utility beats and turntabilism" (Rolling Stone). Their own work has been sampled by Rae Strummund, honored by Macklemore, and rapped by Daniel Radcliffe on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Imani, Vol. 1 is their fourth overall LP after 1999's Nia (Swahili for "purpose"), 2002's Blazing Arrow, and 2005's The Craft.

 The audacious album is only the beginning as Imani Vol. 1 is the first volume of a trilogy, and features appearances from Lifesavas, Lateef, Japanese-American rapper Lyrics Brown, funk band Monophonics, polyphonic Afro-Pop singer Zap Mama, and Fantastic Negrito who won a performance on NPR's "Tiny Desk". Bosko (Big Boi, Kanye West), Myron of retro soul duo Myron & E, Imani Coppola, and Amde Hamilton also appear on the record. "We wanted to keep the focus closer to us," Gab says. "Vol. 2 may be a bit more guest-heavy, but this one... we want people to get Blackalicious," he told Exclaim. Past albums have featured the likes of Zack de la Rocha and ?uestlove, among others.

Blackalicious is known for Gab's "astonishing verbal dexterity and enunciation" (Pitchfork) and "Xcel's utility beats and turntabilism" (Rolling Stone). Their own work has been sampled by Rae Strummund, honored by Macklemore, and rapped by Daniel Radcliffe on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Imani, Vol. 1 is their fourth overall LP after 1999's Nia (Swahili for "purpose"), 2002's Blazing Arrow, and 2005's The Craft.
- Read the full story at UnRatedMagazine.com