Blackalicious

Blackalicious is an American alternative hip hop duo. Gift of Gab (Tim Parker) and Chief Xcel (Xavier Mosley) met at John F. Kennedy High School in 1987 in Sacramento, California and formed the group in the early 1990s and released their first recording, "Swan Lake", on SoleSides Records. The SoleSides Crew consisted of the two and friends of theirs who all met at UC Davis, including DJ Shadow, Latyrx (Consisting of MCs Lyrics Born and Lateef the Truth Speaker). The single was an underground hit, but label trouble kept Blackalicious from immediately capitalizing on their fame.

Related Topics:
Alternative - Hip hop - Gift of Gab - Chief Xcel - John F. Kennedy High School - 1987 - Sacramento - California - 1990s - SoleSides Records - SoleSides Crew - UC Davis - DJ Shadow - Latyrx - Lyrics Born - Lateef the Truth Speaker

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In late 1997, SoleSides became Quannum Projects and in 1999 Blackalicious released, the A2G EP, which served as a precursor to their debut full length album, Nia which was released in 2000. This was followed by a major label contract with MCA Records and the release of the critically acclaimed album Blazing Arrow in 2002.

Related Topics:
Quannum Projects - A2G - Nia - Major label - MCA Records - Blazing Arrow

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In May 2004 Gift of Gab released his first solo album, 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up, but he assured fans that Blackalicious was alive and well.

Related Topics:
Gift of Gab - 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up

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The group has a new album, entitled "The Craft", coming out on Epitaph Records imprint ANTI-. The album is slated for release on September 27, 2005.

Related Topics:
The Craft - Epitaph Records - ANTI-

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