Originally slated for an August 14th release, Blackalicious’ new album, Imani Vol. 1, will now arrive on September 18th. News that might be frustrating some, but considering we’ve waited a decade for the follow-up to 2005’s The Craft, what’s one more month? Especially if you know the Cali duo are gonna bring the heat – which they are. Resurfacing with the triumphant “On Fire Tonight” a few months back, Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel have shown no signs of diminishing talent.
“Imani Vol. 1 is our fourth album and marks another milestone in our career,” Chief Xcel tells Rolling Stone. “Each album we do together tends to be a journey within itself that represents a very specific chapter of our lives. From Bosko’s timeless talk box to Zap Mama’s vocal brilliance, the ensemble of musicians, MCs, and vocalists involved in making Imani Vol. 1 all brought something very unique to the project that helped us grow and continue to expand the sound of Blackalicious.”
On their new single, “Blacka,” Gift of Gab uses Chief Xcel’s funky backdrop as the canvas for him to showcase his lyrical ability while celebrating Black Excellence. Check it out below and pre-order the LP on iTunes. Those that do will receive another new track called “The Blowup.”
