BlakRoc Studio Sessions Video Series

Urban music is developing in complexity and diversity. As previous hybrid hip-hop and name your genre projects have seemed to lack authenticity the new BlakRoc project provides an organic success that feels true.

A collaboration of Dame Dash and soulful blues indies The Black Keys, BlakRoc represents an authentic blend that seeps of blissful creativity and skillful musicianship. The Black Keys bring their soulful sound mixed with haunting guitar riffs and virtuoso simplicity on both white and black keys.




"What You Do To Me" is a new age soul, that registers as almost familiar as it grooves so well. With an ode to the Doors Ray Manzarek, the song struts with a storied organ, bass and snare. The video "Welcome To BlakRoc" that accompanied the album purchase on iTunes intrigued me. Married to the track are belting diva Nikki Wray with Jim Jones bringing his signature timbre and steady flow that settles into a cool. Nikke Wray's vocals seem effortless and have the retro appeal of Chrisette Michelle with a fuller vibrato. MOP, Triple O.G. Billy Danze elevates the track to a different energy level as he laces his verse into the cut.



All the while Dame Dash is seen dancing in the back ground with his signature moves and smile of knowing redemption. Almost at times in celebration of this unique project triumph that is leading iTunes sales upon the second day of release 3 spots above Jay-Z's masterful Blueprint 3. It's good to see Dame launch a successful project that has broad appeal without being metal rap. There's enough out there for everyone Rocafella differences aside. BlakRoc has the makings of an instant classic.

The BlakRoc album launched a viral video series that details the studio sessions with the industry heavy weights including, Q-Tip, Raekwon, the RZA, NOE, Pharoahe Monch, Mos-Def, Nikki Wray, Jim Jones and Billy Danze.

Mos-Def recording Session


Throughout the video project there are several recurring themes, the most impactful for me is the creative freedom that The Black Keys employed with their veteran list of collabo captains. The segments are peppered with creative indulgences and almost playful creativity forming into great music. Best of all they captured it all in a smart web video/documentary series that captivates and with every video connects the listener more to the tracks of the album.

Jim Jones recording session.



RZA - Webisode 4


Nicole Wray and Jim Jones Recording



NOE Recording Session


Q-Tip Records with BlakRoc


Billy Danze from MOP


Pharoahe Monch Sessions


Nicole Wray Session


Final Episode 11 - Raekwon



BlakRoc is a great album that expands hip hop culture while remaining true to it. Further inspiration comes from the masterful assembly of guests on the project. For more information on BlakRoc you can visit their site at http://www.blakroc.com.

VH1 Hip Hop Honors: KRS ONE's Philosophy?

The VH1's Hip Hop Honors Award Show seems to get better each year (Click Here to view VH1 Hip Hop Honors Site). As a 35 year old hip hop head it was real with a list of all star performers.

There were so many notable moments during the show's broadcast that it has all blended into a memory of a great show. The production, music, art and dialogue have branded the show with authenticity and a historian's reverence to the great culture of hip hop.

Your boy Phife Dog from A Tribe Called Quest can still rip the stage. Winning the day to day of Diabetes, his fragile frame houses a precise and seasoned classic MCs swagger. The background segment on the group featured a quote from Q-Tip sourcing the Low End Theory as a source of inspiration for Dr. Dre's seminal classic The Chronic.


Most interesting in VH1's Hip Hop Awards discussions has been KRS ONE's vehement support of 50 Cent's Curtis production and slanted comments against, Kanye West's The Graduate. Who'd a thunk it? BlastMaster KRS ONE is such an endearing 50 fan. At the same time, the mass of KRS ONE's work has always been intimately connected with the foundations and pillars of hip hop culture, not a real surprise.

I agreed with some of his comments but overall, was disappointed with "The Teacha". He was too hard on Kanye unnecessarily. KRS is a talented communicator and made his point early and unfortunately again, and again. KRS ONE published an article (click here to view)on http://www.allhiphop.com/ that explained his perspective in an academic manner. Cognizant of his interview he offers a diligent balance to the media hype.

KRS offered a jewel of wisdom in the interview when he identifies the problem with the measure of artistic talent being reduced to simply record sales. Let's put this in a global perspective; has there been a barrage of blogs over Steve Jobs domination in the sale MP3 players with the Apple iPod vs. Bill Gates' Microsoft Zune? Is Michael Dell on the sideline rhetorting, the Zune ain't a MP3 player with all it's "lights" and "action"? No, clearly not.

Kanye, 50, Common, Talib, T.I., Ludacris, OutKast and many others are all hip hop. There has been growth and evolution. Technology, digital or not is enhancing the quality of production that is the natural development of a dynamic medium. Premier, Marley Marl, Grand Wizard Theodore, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Mantronix these were all innovators that made historic sounds during times when there was nothing available. Respect and big ups for that. But you can't be mad at the likes of J. Dilla, Dre, Will.i.am, Timbaland, Scott Storch, Just Blaze, Pharrell that are creating straight fire digitally.

Now that we have improved access and technology aren't we obligated to take it to the next level. Are we to assume that because a portion of the dialogue has strayed from gun play now it ain't real?

Big props to AllHipHop.com for gettin' it in with the KRS ONE interview. I'm just hoping KRS ain't open off that Vitamin Water.