This is something that has been on my ‘must review list’ for quite some time. I was late to the game for this album (around six months late), but the BlakRoc rap-rock collaboration of, ‘The Black Keys’ and several hip hop and R&B artists is one that struck a chord immediately. It still to this day surprises me that so few are aware of this collaboration and album. The project was overseen by, Damon Dash (co-founder and formerly owner of a share in Roc-A-Fella Records). The album was recorded at, ‘Studio G’ in Brooklyn, NY and includes illustrious guests such as, ‘Raekwon’, ‘RZA’, ‘Jim Jones’, ‘Mos Def’, ‘Nicole Wray’, ‘Pharoahe Monch’, ‘Q-Tip’ and , Billy Danze of M.O.P. I told you it was an ‘illustrious’ line up.
When, Damon Dash got listening to, Ohio bluesy rock outfit, ‘The Black Keys’, he reached out to the band that he heralded as his favourite musicians to meet in person where he asked if they would hit the studio with, Jim Jones. One thing led to another and the album was (allegedly) completed following eleven days of recording. Included in the project are vocals from deceased rapper and former, Roc-A-Fella Records, ‘Wu Tang Clan’ artist, ‘Ol' Dirty Bastard’. The album was aptly released the day after Thanksgiving, 27th November 2009 (otherwise known as Black Friday in the world of retail) on, ‘V2’, a new label started by, Dash and, The Black Keys.
You might think the project is astonishingly similar to the unsuccessful, ‘Black Lips’ and, ‘GZA’ collaboration from earlier in 2009 and that this failure would have provided food for thought for the BlakRoc project, but it may well have actually planted the seed and sprung the challenge. ‘The Black Keys’ had of course delved into hip-hop when they had, ‘Danger Mouse’ produce, ‘Attack and Release’ which was the first of their albums that I purchased.
When asked what made him return to the music business after all these years, Dash said it was all about the love. “The Black Keys are about real music and all these other people that came through are really good at what they do”. He continued, “at least after being in the game this long you don’t wanna just be doing it for money that becomes obvious…If I was to be a part of anything, it would have to be something like this. We had a good rapport with one another and I like the way they do their business and they kind of like the way I do mine and it just turned into this project”.
‘Coochie’ which doesn’t appear on many popular versions of the album features, Ludacris & Ol' Dirty Bastard is most certainly the record's riskiest sonic experiment, but it seems a little restrained for these two. Perhaps this was a way to get people to give the album a go. The fact of that matter is that the track that had already appeared on mix tapes…this is merely a recast.
‘On the Vista’ is far more representative of the theme of the album. The Black Keys and ‘Mos Def’ make the most of the stoned salutation with the sort of sing-rapping about "total control" that one only feels in a hallucinatory state. ‘Hard Times’ follows and features, ‘NOE’. It’s a trippy little track which pays homage to the familiar blues sound of, The Black Keys. ‘Dollaz & Sense’ featuring, RZA and, Pharoahe Monch is simple, but the beat and lyrics are thoroughly enjoyable. It really puts me in the, Bobby Digital frame of mind and Monch does a fine job accompanying the former, Wu Tang Clan legend with some clever lyrics.
‘Why Can’t I Forget Him’ slows things down somewhat when hook lady supreme, Nicole Wray (yes, the one who made the phenomenal, ‘Make It Hot’ in the late 90’s) bubbles admirably on this more emotional, heart string pulling track. The down and dark mood is soon blown out of the place with, ‘Stay Off the Fuckin’ Flowers’ featuring, Raekwon. It kind of deviates somewhat from the typical subject matter on, but does succeed in coasting like a late night soundtrack to the south of the 60’s.
I have always been a fan of the super cool, Mos Def ‘Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)’ with Mos Def & Jim Jones is one of my top tunes from this album. From, Mos’s initial “pure heart” and “ooh ooh ooh ooh’s” to Dan Auerbach’s well placed “la la la’s” and, Jim Jones’s beautifully poetic lyrics, this one works a dream. ‘Hope You’re Happy’ features a wealth of talent with, Billy Danze of M.O.P., Q-Tip, & Nicole Wray. Kicking off with a bluesy riff and sweet ripostes from, Q-Tip and, Wray, Danze jumps in with his notorious aggressive spitting which makes for an interesting and diverse track.
‘Tellin’ Me Things’ has, RZA back at the mic and again, he's in a quasi-Bobby Digital mode on this one. This is a slow burner…enjoyable all the same. In, ‘What You Do to Me’, The Black Keys influence shines through like a beacon from the outset and, Auerbach’s, “you don’t know” howl. Wray compliments this sound exceptionally well while , Jones and , Danze apply the finishing touches with great aplomb. The final track is a more rocking sound in, ‘Done Did It’ with, NOE and, Wray again featuring. It’s got a great beat and fun sound to it.
In the video ‘webisodes’ which you simply must take a look at (http://blakroc.com/videos.html), the Keys looked like nervous little school boys trying to get in with the tough nut bullies that surrounded them. However, Dan Auerbach and drummer, Patrick Carney brought game and if not matched the talents in the studio, surpassed them in this recording. Yes, there are a few obligatory clichéd rap lyrics about cribs and guns, but if you are looking for a solid project collaborating the best of blues rock and rap, BlakRoc will not be a letdown.
That a band like, ‘The Black Keys’ got to be involved in something like this is quite heartening. They recently elevated themselves of one of the best bands around with the release of, ‘Brothers’ and some amazing live performances at some of the world’s largest arena’s. This project gives me optimism with an approach that is exciting and hopefully invigorating to some of the ‘hard to listen to’ rap and hip hop that’s out there. Rating 8/10
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