The Soulcialista: The Great Mashup

BlakRoc is nothing new for some people, but for those who aren't in the know, allow me to introduce you to some great music. The BlakRoc album is a combination of blues rock band The Black Keys and hip hop artists that they are avid fans of. The concept of such a project isn't a novel one and could have easily become something trivial. But Dame Dash of Roc-A-Fella fame was a fan of The Black Keys and saw an opportunity to do something different. He first approached the group to do a song or two with rapper Jim Jones. All parties involved were down for the cause, but what started out as a potential song or two quickly evolved into a goal of completing an entire project. Realizing that it would be hard to create what they felt to be an innovative offering with just working with Jim Jones, the Keys charged Dash with securing artists that the group itself had been fans of for years and so began the transformation of a couple of songs to a full blown collection with some of hip-hop's most notable lyricists. Each track was recorded with live instruments and live vocals and once an artist walked into the studio it was expected that they completed their track that day. The finished product is an organic mash up of hip-hop and rock that can't be completely defined by either music genre, but sounds as if the musicians were left free to rock the beat as if you're listening to a live cipher.

The influence and admiration that The Black Keys have for Wu-Tang Clan and the Rza are evident with tracks like Stay Off The Fuckin' Flowers feat. Raekwon, Coochie feat. the late ODB and Ludacris, and Telling Me Things as well as Dollaz & Sense feat. Rza. If you didn't know any better you would think it was 95 and you were listening to Enter the 36 chambers with the gritty lyrics and beats displayed on these tracks. Another album standout is Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo) feat. Mos Def and Jim Jones. This track finds Mos singing the chorus with the Keys on background while Jones delivers two short but introspective verses of hood life. I have to say this is my favorite track, but you may find different ones especially with some of the contributing artists that worked on this project.

The album is 11 tracks long and lacks the cookie cutter formula that makes up the majority of pop friendly hip-hop that you find on the radio. And while The Black Keys have established their own fan base through a grassroots approach which has been solidified with group and solo offerings, this album will be sure to gain new ones. If not just for the Keys, than for lyricists such as Pharoahe Monch, Q-Tip, and M.O.P. who are often overlooked by the mainstream. With this project being completed in little over a month, feel confident that even if you weren't privileged to have heard the first offering, artists are already working to complete a second volume. And if you'd like an opportunity for a first hand look at some of the artists in the studio creating the music, visit BlakRoc Either way be sure to treat yourself to some good music, and who knows you may even find yourself looking to download some of The Black Keys earlier work, I know I have.