Blackalicious

Blackalicious
Blackalicious duo Chief Xcel (left) and Gift of Gab performing at the Paid Dues hip hop festival in 2008
Blackalicious duo Chief Xcel (left) and Gift of Gab performing at the Paid Dues hip hop festival in 2008
Background information
OriginSacramento, California, U.S.
GenresAlternative hip hop, West Coast hip hop, indie hip hop
Years active1994–2021
LabelsQuannum Projects, MCA/Universal Records, Solesides, Anti-
Past members
Websiteblackalicious.com

Blackalicious was an American hip-hop duo from Sacramento, California,[1] made up of rapper Gift of Gab and DJ/producer Chief Xcel.[2] They are noted for Gift of Gab's often tongue-twisting, multisyllabic, complex rhymes and Chief Xcel's soulful production.[3] The duo released four full-length albums: Nia in 1999, Blazing Arrow in 2002, The Craft in 2005, and Imani Vol. 1 in 2015. Gift of Gab died in June 2021.

  1. ^ Piazza, Paul (February 28, 2013). "Sat., March 02, Blackalicious: Harlow's Restaurant & Nightclub". Sacramento News & Review. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  2. ^ Alex Henderson. "Blackalicious | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  3. ^ Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 322.