The
best way to describe the music of Blackalicious is classic
hip-hop music from the soul. Blackalicious's
two main members Chief Xcel and The Gift Of Gab bring
their own original flavor of hip-hop music that enlightens
the soul through its records and brings a transference
of energy to the audience through their live performance.
Tim ( aka Gift Of Gab) has
a very mellow calm manner about him, but when he steps
to the mic his rhythmic poetic flow proves that he is
one of the major contenders in the hip-hop game. So
here he is the poet, the prophet and the one that puts
the soul back into the mic, The Gift Of Gab.
P.W:
How long has Blackalicious been around?
Gift
Of Gab: The story of Blackalicious starts in 1987 when
Chief Xcel and I met in High School in Sacramento. After
High School we started out as independent artists and
combined efforts with DJ Shadow and Lyrics Born and
formed our first group “Solesides.” Our
first E.P came out in America in 1994, we than regrouped
as “Quannum Project.” Our first full-length
album “Nia” was released in 2000. We had
been underground for quite sometime and felt we had
been successful so far as a hip-hop group. When MCA
came to us, we then knew we were ready to take the next
step and expand our audience by producing a record on
a mainstream label. The reason it's important to get
on a major label is because the record business is so
political. There are certain outlets that are difficult
for independent artist to reach - for example radio
and video, without a major distribution deal. For now
Blackalicious has been touring and focusing on promoting
our new album “Blazing Arrow.”
P.W:
How would you recommend an independent artist go about
getting a record deal?
Gift
Of Gab: Straight out treat your product like gold. Don’t
wait for the major label to pick up your demo, but produce
an independent record so you can put it out and build
a fan base. We sold 200,000 albums without any major
distribution. Regardless, we were going to come out
with music even if we didn’t get a record deal.
For us and many other artists, music is like breathing.
It’s just what you do. I also recommend getting
a good lawyer and a manager you can trust. The independent
artist always must remember that regardless how long
you’ve been in the music business, it is always
a learning process.
Early hip-hop influence of
Chief Xcel and The Gift Of Gab
P.W:
How were you able to sell 200,00 units as an independent
artist? Was it placement in the independent record stores?
Gift
Of Gab: For the independent artist, College radio is
vital. That is how we started as a group. I recommend
getting all the addresses to the College radio stations
all over the country - if the product is good they will
play your music. We built a huge fan base over time,
but it's been a long struggle, and I am proud of what
we've built. The main thing I can tell an up and coming
artist is if you put your effort out in the universe,
then I believe you will get back success in return for
your efforts and hard work.
P.W:
What do you enjoy more: writing and recording or performing
live?
Gift
Of Gab: I enjoy each part equally. Whether it's live
or recorded, the goal of our music is the same - take
the listeners on a sonic journey.
P.W:
With the gaining popularity of Blackalicious, and groups
like Jurrasic 5 and The Roots, do you think there is
a new trend in political and social awareness driven
hip-hop?
Gift
Of Gab: I think that everything goes in a cycle. Back
in the day you had Boogie Down Productions and Public
Enemy, but you also had N.W.A and the Ghetto Boys. Really
what I hate is when people classify us hip-hop artists
in certain categories. For example - 'look at those
bling-bling guys spouting gangster rap' or 'look at
those backpackers conscious abstract hip hop guys'.
You're going to meet all different types of people and
they all have a story to tell. Right now I would say
there is a Renaissance in hip-hop music with the groups
like Jurrasic-5, Dilated Peoples & The Roots. But
really music is all ying and yang and we all have our
own story that has to be told whether it’s positive
or negative.
"The Roots"
P.W:
What influence do you think politics and the state of
the world have on hip-hop music?
Gift
Of Gab: I think music is a reflection of the times and
an expression of the artists perspective. Hip-Hop music
is influenced by what surrounds them in the world. In
the times of slavery the musical expression was the
Blues. Today it's Hip-Hop and the cats in the hoods
are telling their stories of gangsters and drive-by’s.
P.W:
How do you see this generation of hip-hop political
music differ from the political music of yesterday?
Gift
Of Gab: Honestly, I am not a very political person.
But really the reason that music may seem more hostile
today than yesterday is because there is a natural reaction
to the negativity in the world. The ignorance of the
world is being expressed through hip-hop music and as
time has gone, things haven't changed since the 60’s
and they have just gotten worse. The message has gotten
more hostile, and the voice of the artist has gotten
angrier.
"Yo ma, I told ya no
more lunchables bitch!!"
P.W:
So, you don’t think that hip-hop music has gotten
too hostile?
Gift
Of Gab: No, because hip-hop music is a creative expression
or art and that is just a direct reflection of life.
Art doesn't have to be positive to be good art. If you
disagree with a negative perspective that’s fine,
but realize that you can’t hide from the truth.
It would be cool if the world wasn't so negative, but
that’s not the case. The hip-hop artist is just
expressing the world as he sees it, which may not be
pretty- but frankly that’s just reality.
P.W:
Who do you look to for guidance in your life?
Gift
Of Gab: Straight up I look toward God to keep going.
Above all I am a servant and there is a plan for me,
and I fall short because I am human, but I do the best
in my ability to do God's will. If I have a religion
it’s music, being an MC. I also of course look
toward family for guidance, and just try to surround
myself with good people. Always remember to treat other
people like you would want to be treated.
P.W:
Even though Blackalicious's style is a return to a positive
message in hip-hop music, what do you say to someone
who says that rap music has gotten too negative?
Gift
Of Gab: Well don’t blame rap music, look at daily
T.V. Always remember no matter what you can’t
hide real-life from the impressionable youth.
P.W:
If you could play a show in any city and have any opening
act where would you play, and who would you have open
for you?
Gift
Of Gab: Straight up I would play in Amsterdam and the
opening act would be the Life Savas from Portland Oregon.
P.W:
Currently what are you reading?
Gift
Of Gab: I am right now reading about deep meditation
and the Hindu culture. Also I am really interested in
Jazz and am reading a book about Miles Davis. I love
to read because I believe knowledge is the path to true
freedom it’s real power. I believe in the power
of the third eye, and this comes from being aware of
the world and being aware comes from experience and
the true understanding of what’s around you- which
of course comes from expanding your mind by gaining
knowledge of the world through the written word.
P.W:
What do you personally think of Eminem? Is he too over
the top?
Gift
Of Gab: No actually he’ s one of my favorite lyricists,
and I think really he’s brilliant. His rap is
straight out funny and also I like Eminem because he
uses shock value to piss the conservatives off. I would
tell Eminem to keep doing what he’s doing.
"Yo dog, who farted?"
P.W:
If you could meet anyone in history, dead or alive,
who would it be and what would you ask them?
Gift
Of Gab: The Maharishi - I would ask him what does it
mean to be an enlightened soul. I would also want him
to describe what the word freedom means to him.
P.W: In closing what’s a “mantra”,
to live by?
Gift
Of Gab: I would say to them a quote from “The
power of now”, “You are here so that the
universe can unfold and remember you are that important.”
But hell, you could talk to me in two weeks and I might
just say to get the money.
Check out www.blackalicious.com
for upcoming shows and information on Blackalicious.
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