I really like this. Blakroc is a album combining the alt/blues/grunge rockers The Black Keys with a who’s who list of hip-hop icons – Raekwon, RZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Jim Jones, NOE, Mos Def, Nicole Wray, Pharoahe Monch, Ludacris, Billy Danze, and Q-Tip. Damon Dash was the organizer and grand maestro who put the project together. There are some stoney beats and (mostly) chilled out rhyming.
It was released in late 2009 so I’m a little late to the party, but a quick Google search yielded news results intimating that there are other (and more legitimate) news sources who are just now reviewing the album. I’m not sure of the official release date, but I’m imagining it was a part ‘planned’ leak and part soft launch. I first found out about Blakroc through their website and was immediately hooked through the first-person videos. Was very cool watching the whole creative process develop and seeing how so many artists collaborated so well. After watching (all 11) videos, I got the album. I must admit that if I hadn’t watched the videos first, I probably wouldn’t have liked the album as much as I do. But I love it except for the first track – Coochie (feat. Ludacris & Ol’ Dirty Bastard). Aside from that it’s pretty strong. My 2 faves off the album are – Hard Times (feat. NOE) and Why Can’t I Forget Him (feat. Nicole Wray)
