It’s been 10 years since 2005’s The Craft, and we haven’t gotten any new music from Sacremento hip-hop duo Blackalicious (they’ve been keeping busy with solo work, side projects, and, sadly, Gift of Gab has been suffering from kidney failure). This summer promises to change that, however, as according to Rolling Stone Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel are planning to self-release Imani, Vol. 1. Fans can help fund the first in this planned trilogy by pre-ordering a copy on Blackalicious’ PledgeMusic campaign page.
While giving directly to independent artists may not provide the same satisfaction as, say, paying the iron price to enter the Illuminati’s music cabal, Blackalicious is making up for it with an array of cool loot. Among the items that fans can order—all of which include a digital album download—are signed and unsigned versions of the album on CD and vinyl, autographed promotional posters from previous albums like Nia and Blazing Arrow, “Ventilator” sneakers, a day in the studio “helping” Chief Xcel, and even DJ equipment used by Xcel while on previous tours.
Blackalicious is also giving fans a taste of the new album with streaming access to the single, “On Fire Tonight,” which boasts guest vocals by Myron of Myron & E. Imani (Swahili for “Faith”), Vol. 1 drops August 14.
Imani, Vol. 1:
01 Faith (ft. Amde of The Watts Prophets)
02 Blacka
03 Ashes to Ashes
04 On Fire Tonight (ft. Myron of Myron & E)
05 Escape
06 The Sun (ft. Imani Coppola)
07 That Night (ft. Vursatyl and Jumbo of The LifeSavas)
08 Inspired By (ft. Bosko)
09 We Did It Again (ft. Danielle Flax)
10 I Like The Way You Talk
11 Twist of Time
12 The Blow Up
13 Loves Gonna Save the Day (ft. Fantastic Negrito)
14 Alpha and Omega (ft. Lateef, Lyrics Born, Monophonics, & DJ D Sharp)
15 The Hour Glass
16 Imani (ft. Zap Mama)