The Black Keys and hip hop haven't really been referred to in the same sentence until very recently. That changed with the hype and release of the indie-blues rock duo's BlakRoc project. The resulting album sees the band collaborate with a number of hip hop heavyweights in a way that took courage on both sides.
Guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Pat Carney take more of a backseat on the record, providing a rock solid musical foundation over which their guests are free to do what they do best. That means we get in-your-face raps from RZA on tracks like "Dollaz & Sense" and the ominous "Tellin' Me Things". It also means silky smooth vocals from Nicole Wray on songs like "Why Can't I Forget Him" and ""What You Do To Me".
The resulting tracks are undoubtedly hip hop in orientation, however they possess a raw, organic sound that is desperately lacking in most modern hip hop music. That's probably no more evident than on "Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)". On that track Jim Jones' and Mos Def's raps become infectious as real live drums and guitars create a smoldering groove below.
BlakRoc is the kind of album that shows off the powerful musical impact that can happen when rock and hip hop come together. It's a shame it doesn't happen more often.
Best tracks: "Tellin' Me Things", "Done Did It"
Track listing for BlakRoc:
- On the Vista
- Hard Times
- Dollaz & Sense
- Why Can't I Forget Him
- Stay Off the Fucking Flowers
- Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)
- Hope You're Happy
- Tellin' Me Things
- What You Do To Me
- Done Did It
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