Blakroc

Blakroc is by far the most genius thing any artist has done in 2009. Over the last couple years Youtube has been overflowed with people covering hip-hip artist with only an acoustic guitar and catchy melodies. I believe “Blakroc” was created based off of the same idea, but The Black Keys took it 10 steps further with this project. I remember watching the video updates along with the project and I was in awe of what was to come of this album.

Blakroc is basically a Hip-Hop/Rock collaboration album. It was based off of a band from Akron, Ohio named “The Black Keys” who wanted to collaborate with several other Hip-Hip artist. Some artist to name are Raekwon, RZA and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard of the Wu-Tang Clan; Jim Jones, formerly of The Diplomats, and NOE, formerly a DipSet affiliate; Mos Def; singer Nicole Wray; Pharoahe Monch; Southern rapper Ludacris; Billy Danze, one half of M.O.P.; and Q-Tip, formerly of A Tribe Called Quest.

The album contains 11 free flowing tracks. The funnest part about listening to this album is hearing The Black Keys roots mashed in with Hip-Hip style rhythms. The strongest track off the album is called “Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)”. The track features Mos Def and Jim Jones. Overall this album is a great collaboration album. It's something I want to hear more from in later years. Having the soul Rock n' Roll meshing with some of Mos Def lyrics isn't something anyone pictured, but that is where the music industry is going today.

You can also check out a free listening session of the whole album at this link.
Blakroc Listening Session.


-Austen H.