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Sounds like:
J Dilla,
Pete Rock,
DJ Premiere
Why do we like this?
Too often, the uninitiated assume that underground hip-hop is by definition the antithesis of commercial hip-hop. While it's sometimes true that underground hip-hop frequently explores sounds and themes that would not find a home in a more commercial setting, nowadays what seems to mark the difference between the underground and mainstream hip-hop is more a matter of economics and marketing than the actual content of the music.
Detroit bred producer/MC Black Milk is a prime example of someone who would easily have found himself on a major label in the 90s. His third LP, the boldly titled Album of the Year (to be released on 9/14), is a strong piece of work that displays Black's musicality while staying firmly entrenched in the hip-hop tradition.
From the opening bars of "365" to the last seconds of "Closed Chapter," it's apparent that Black Milk has mastered the art of sculpting monstrous drums. Using a recording technique that combines sampled drums with live ones, Black made each snare and kick have a life of its own. In fact, combining samples with live instruments is employed throughout the entire album, giving a warm girth to the music that could stand toe-to-toe with any hyper-produced mainstream composition that's out now.
On "Round of Applause" Black combines his trademark drums with Fela Kuti-esque horns, and he brings in a full string section for the stellar "Black and Brown," a duet with the up-and-coming Danny Brown. "Deadly Medley" is a ferocious display of lyricism by Black and fellow Detroit MC's Elzhi and Royce Da 5'9" backed by a bluesy guitar loop.
While Black's flow on the album is always on-point, at times his strict adherence to a familiar cadence can venture into the monotonous. Thankfully, that's few and far between, and Album of the Year is a collection of powerful and adventurous music.
Detroit bred producer/MC Black Milk is a prime example of someone who would easily have found himself on a major label in the 90s. His third LP, the boldly titled Album of the Year (to be released on 9/14), is a strong piece of work that displays Black's musicality while staying firmly entrenched in the hip-hop tradition.
From the opening bars of "365" to the last seconds of "Closed Chapter," it's apparent that Black Milk has mastered the art of sculpting monstrous drums. Using a recording technique that combines sampled drums with live ones, Black made each snare and kick have a life of its own. In fact, combining samples with live instruments is employed throughout the entire album, giving a warm girth to the music that could stand toe-to-toe with any hyper-produced mainstream composition that's out now.
On "Round of Applause" Black combines his trademark drums with Fela Kuti-esque horns, and he brings in a full string section for the stellar "Black and Brown," a duet with the up-and-coming Danny Brown. "Deadly Medley" is a ferocious display of lyricism by Black and fellow Detroit MC's Elzhi and Royce Da 5'9" backed by a bluesy guitar loop.
While Black's flow on the album is always on-point, at times his strict adherence to a familiar cadence can venture into the monotonous. Thankfully, that's few and far between, and Album of the Year is a collection of powerful and adventurous music.
Streaming source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOMldtCNyZ0
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