Blackalicious

Blackalicious

13811 fans

Built around the tongue-twisting wordplay of MC Gift of Gab and the eclectic, melodic beats of DJ/producer Chief Xcel, Californian duo Blackalicious have been an influential force on the underground hip-hop scene since emerging in the late 1990s with their inventive, philosophical and socially conscious style.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Timothy Parker (aka Gift of Gab) fell in love with music after hearing 'Rapper's Delight' by Sugarhill Gang and began having rapping battles with his neighbours at 12-years-old while intensely studying different lyrical techniques. Meeting Xavier Mosley (aka Chief Xcel) in an economics class at high school, the pair started playing local parties together and later joined the Quannum Projects - a collective of young artists which included DJ Shadow and Lyrics Born. Supporting themselves with telemarketing jobs, they spent eight years building up a following and honing their skills before independently releasing debut album 'Nia' in 1999 to wide acclaim.

Landing a major label deal with MCA, their follow-up 'Blazing Arrow' made the US top 50 and featured Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha, Questlove from The Roots, soul singer Ben Harper and legendary jazz-poet Gil Scott Heron, while the single 'Make You Feel That Way' became one of the group's signature tracks. Chief Xcel's collection of over 10,000 records and willingness to sample obscure gospel, jazz and funk tracks was key to their distinct progressive hip-hop sound, and Gift of Gab's structured, worldly rhymes drew comparisons to the likes of De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest. They parted for ten years with Gift of Gab releasing three solo records, but they returned in 2015 with 'Imani Vol. 1' and the announcement that the album will be the first of a three-volume series.

Top tracks

07
Alphabet Aerobics
Blackalicious
A2G EP
02:14
Composers: Blackalicious - L. McFadden
10
Make You Feel That Way
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
03:25
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley - Duncan Scott
02
Blazing Arrow
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
02:39
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley - Harry Nilsson
04
First In Flight
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
04:32
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
08
Side To Side (Featuring Lateef & Pigeon John)
Blackalicious
The Craft
04:36
Writer: T. Parker - X. Mosley - J. Dust - L. Daumont
04
Deception
Blackalicious
Nia
05:11
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
07
Shallow Days
Blackalicious
Nia
04:20
Composers: Blackalicious
08
Paragraph President
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
05:09
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
01
A To G
Blackalicious
A2G EP
02:27
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
03
Sky Is Falling
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
02:27
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
03
Swan Lake
Blackalicious
Melodica
05:39
01
Lyric Fathom
Blackalicious
Melodica
04:15
13
Aural Pleasure
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
04:47
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley - Andy Fairweather Low
10
If I May
Blackalicious
Nia
03:45
Composers: Blackalicious
14
Passion
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
03:54
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley - Rakaa Taylor
16
Halfway Home
Blackalicious
In Tune And On Time
02:17
Composers: Josh Davis
05
Deception
Blackalicious
A2G EP
04:36
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
15
Purest Love
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
04:03
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
12
Chemical Calisthenics
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
03:21
Composers: Tim Parker - Lucas McFadden
16
Release
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
09:25
Composers: Saul Williams - Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
02
Clockwork
Blackalicious
A2G EP
04:31
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
08
Ego Trip by Nikki Giovanni
Blackalicious
Nia
01:44
Composers: Blackalicious
05
Cheezit Terrorist
Blackalicious
Melodica
01:32
03
Rhythm Sticks
Blackalicious
The Craft
04:36
Writer: T. Parker - X. Mosley
11
Brain Washers
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
06:24
Composers: Ben Harper - Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
05
Green Light: Now Begin
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
03:13
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
17
Day One
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
04:52
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
07
Nowhere Fast
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
06:41
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley - Ahmir Thompson
02
Rhymes for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind
Blackalicious
Melodica
02:36
09
It's Going Down
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
03:44
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley - Tony Cottrell - Shannon Showes - Lateef Daumont
13
Smithsonian Institute of Rhyme
Blackalicious
Nia
04:24
Composers: Blackalicious
06
4000 Miles
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
04:35
Composers: Vincent Ségal - Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley - Charles L. Stewart - Lateef Daumont
04
Attica Black
Blackalicious
Melodica
06:11
01
World Of Vibrations
Blackalicious
The Craft
05:02
Writer: X. Mosley - T. Parker
18
Sleep
Blackalicious
Nia
03:54
Composers: Blackalicious
15
Reanimation
Blackalicious
Nia
03:38
Composers: Blackalicious
17
Making Progress
Blackalicious
Nia
03:11
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
01
Introduction: Bow And Fire
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
01:06
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
04
Powers
Blackalicious
The Craft
03:47
Writer: H. Salters - S. Martel - V. SEGAL - T. Underdue - T. Parker - X. Mosley
14
The Craft
Blackalicious
The Craft
03:46
Writer: T. Parker - X. Mosley
03
Do This My Way
Blackalicious
Nia
04:49
Composers: Blackalicious
03
Rock the Spot
Blackalicious
A2G EP
04:20
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
09
You Didn't Know That Though
Blackalicious
Nia
04:35
Composers: Blackalicious
07
My Pen And Pad
Blackalicious
The Craft
02:02
Writer: T. Parker - X. Mosley
14
As the World Turns
Blackalicious
Nia
05:41
Composers: Blackalicious
03
Ashes to Ashes
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1
03:28
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker - Marlon Irving
01
The Blowup
Blackalicious
The Blowup - Single
04:01
Writer: X. Mosley - T. Parker / Composers: X. Mosley
07
Deep in the Jungle
Blackalicious feat. Lateef The Truthspeeker, Asia Born
Melodica
06:50
07
That Night (feat. Lifesavas)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1
05:54
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Armstrong - Timothy Parker - Marlon Irving - Solomon David
04
Back to the Essence
Blackalicious
A2G EP
03:33
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker - L. Daumont
02
The Fabulous Ones
Blackalicious
Nia
03:00
Composers: Blackalicious
08
Change
Blackalicious
Melodica
05:39
06
Cliff Hanger
Blackalicious
Nia
06:21
Composers: Blackalicious
02
Blacka (Instrumental)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals)
02:32
Composers: X. Mosley
04
Lyric Fathom
Blackalicious
SoleSides Greatest Bumps
03:50
01
Searching
Blackalicious
Nia
01:49
Composers: Blackalicious
06
40oz for Breakfast
Blackalicious
Melodica
07:42
06
Lotus Flower (Featuring George Clinton)
Blackalicious
The Craft
04:12
Writer: T. Parker - X. Mosley - H. Salters - V. SEGAL - T. Underdue - S. Martel
11
Black Diamonds And Pearls (Featuring Larry Saunders & Ledisi)
Blackalicious
The Craft
04:22
Writer: T. Parker - X. Mosley
05
Your Move (Featuring Lifesavas)
Blackalicious
The Craft
03:55
Writer: T. Parker - X. Mosley - T. Underdue
13
Ego Sonic War Drums (Featuring Peace)
Blackalicious
The Craft
05:57
Writer: T. Parker - X. Mosley - H. Salters - S. Martel - M. Davis - V. SEGAL
12
Give It To You (Featuring Kween & Lyrics Born)
Blackalicious
The Craft
03:51
Writer: T. Parker - X. Mosley - T. Shimura
02
Supreme People
Blackalicious
The Craft
04:03
Writer: S. Martel - H. Salters - T. Underdue - V. SEGAL - T. Parker - X. Mosley
09
Automatique (Featuring Floetry)
Blackalicious
The Craft
04:07
Writer: T. Parker - X. Mosley - M. Ambrosious - N. Stewart
01
Faith
Blackalicious
Imani Vol. 1
01:23
Composers: X. Mosley
10
The Fall & Rise Of Elliot Brown (Parts 1 & 2)
Blackalicious
The Craft
03:55
Writer: T. Parker - X. Mosley - F. Leanier
11
Dream Seasons
Blackalicious
Nia
04:49
Composers: Blackalicious
14
Alpha and Omega
Blackalicious
Imani Vol. 1
05:31
Composers: X. Mosley
16
Beyonder
Blackalicious
Nia
04:06
Composers: Blackalicious
12
Trouble
Blackalicious
Nia
04:28
Composers: Blackalicious
19
Finding
Blackalicious
Nia
01:54
Composers: Blackalicious
01
Sports Alphabet
Blackalicious
Sports Alphabet - Single
02:14
Writer: Timothy Parker / Composers: Lucas McFadden
02
Blacka
Blackalicious
Imani Vol. 1
02:43
Composers: X. Mosley

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  • Discography
Albums
Imani Vol. 1
OGM Recordings Copyright 2015. All rights Reserved. This has been a Quannum Production.
18-09-2015
Imani Vol. 1
01
Faith
Blackalicious
Imani Vol. 1
01:23
Composers: X. Mosley
02
Blacka
Blackalicious
Imani Vol. 1
02:43
Composers: X. Mosley
03
Ashes to Ashes
Blackalicious
Imani Vol. 1
03:28
Composers: X. Mosley
04
On Fire Tonight
Blackalicious
Imani Vol. 1
02:40
Composers: X. Mosley
05
Escape
Blackalicious
Imani Vol. 1
04:40
Composers: X. Mosley
06
The Sun
Blackalicious
Imani Vol. 1
03:26
Composers: X. Mosley
07
That Night
Blackalicious
Imani Vol. 1
05:54
Composers: X. Mosley
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
Imani, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals)
OGM Recordings Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved. This has been a Quannum Production.
18-09-2015
Imani, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals)
01
Faith (Instrumental)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals)
01:25
Composers: X. Mosley
02
Blacka (Instrumental)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals)
02:32
Composers: X. Mosley
03
Ashes to Ashes (Instrumental)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals)
03:24
Composers: X. Mosley
04
On Fire Tonight (Instrumental)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals)
02:43
Composers: X. Mosley
05
Escape (Instrumental)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals)
03:38
Composers: X. Mosley
06
The Sun (Instrumental)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals)
03:28
Composers: X. Mosley
07
That Night (Instrumental)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals)
04:37
Composers: X. Mosley
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
Imani, Vol. 1
(P) 2015 Quannum Limited All Rights Reserved
15-09-2015
Imani, Vol. 1
01
Faith (feat. Amde Hamilton & Zap Mama)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1
01:23
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Armstrong - Timothy Parker - Anthony "Amde" Hamilton
02
Blacka
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1
02:43
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker
03
Ashes to Ashes
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1
03:28
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker - Marlon Irving
04
On Fire Tonight (feat. Myron Glasper)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1
02:40
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker
05
Escape
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1
04:40
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Armstrong - Timothy Parker
06
The Sun (feat. Imani Coppola)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1
03:26
Composers: Imani Coppola - Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker
07
That Night (feat. Lifesavas)
Blackalicious
Imani, Vol. 1
05:54
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Armstrong - Timothy Parker - Marlon Irving - Solomon David
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
The Craft
(P) 2005 Quannum Limited All Rights Reserved
26-09-2005
The Craft
01
World Of Vibrations (feat. Ledisi)
Blackalicious
The Craft
05:02
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker
02
Supreme People
Blackalicious
The Craft
04:03
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker
03
Rhythm Sticks
Blackalicious
The Craft
04:36
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker
04
Powers (feat. Ledisi)
Blackalicious
The Craft
03:47
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker
05
Your Move (feat. Lifesavas)
Blackalicious
The Craft
03:55
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker
06
Lotus Flower (feat. George Clinton)
Blackalicious
The Craft
04:12
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker
07
My Pen & Pad
Blackalicious
The Craft
02:02
Composers: Xavier Mosley - Timothy Parker
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
Blazing Arrow
â„— 2002 Geffen Records
30-04-2002
Blazing Arrow
01
Introduction: Bow And Fire
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
01:06
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
02
Blazing Arrow
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
02:39
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley - Harry Nilsson
03
Sky Is Falling
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
02:27
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
04
First In Flight
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
04:32
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
05
Green Light: Now Begin
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
03:13
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
06
4000 Miles
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
04:35
Composers: Vincent Ségal - Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley - Charles L. Stewart - Lateef Daumont
07
Nowhere Fast
Blackalicious
Blazing Arrow
06:41
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley - Ahmir Thompson
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
Nia
(P) 2000 Quannum Projects
30-08-1999
Nia
01
Searching
Blackalicious
Nia
01:49
Composers: Blackalicious
02
The Fabulous Ones
Blackalicious
Nia
03:00
Composers: Blackalicious
03
Do This My Way
Blackalicious
Nia
04:49
Composers: Blackalicious
04
Deception
Blackalicious
Nia
05:11
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
05
A To G
Blackalicious
Nia
02:24
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
06
Cliff Hanger
Blackalicious
Nia
06:21
Composers: Blackalicious
07
Shallow Days
Blackalicious
Nia
04:20
Composers: Blackalicious
Access the complete album info (19 songs)
EPs
A2G EP
(P) 1999 Quannum Projects
01-01-1999
A2G EP
01
A To G
Blackalicious
A2G EP
02:27
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
02
Clockwork
Blackalicious
A2G EP
04:31
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
03
Rock the Spot
Blackalicious
A2G EP
04:20
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
04
Back to the Essence
Blackalicious
A2G EP
03:33
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker - L. Daumont
05
Deception
Blackalicious
A2G EP
04:36
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
06
Making Progress
Blackalicious
A2G EP
03:12
Composers: X. Mosely - T. Parker
07
Alphabet Aerobics
Blackalicious
A2G EP
02:14
Composers: Blackalicious - L. McFadden
Melodica
(P) 1993 Quannum Limited All Rights Reserved
18-01-1994
Melodica
01
Lyric Fathom
Blackalicious
Melodica
04:15
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
02
Rhymes For The Deaf, Dumb And Blind
Blackalicious
Melodica
02:36
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
03
Swan Lake
Blackalicious
Melodica
05:39
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
04
Attica Black
Blackalicious
Melodica
06:11
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
05
Cheezit Terrorist
Blackalicious
Melodica
01:32
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
06
40oz For Breakfast
Blackalicious
Melodica
07:42
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley
07
Deep In The Jungle
Blackalicious
Melodica
06:50
Composers: Tim Parker - Xavier Mosley - Lateef Daumont - Tom Shimura
Singles
Sports Alphabet - Single
2015 OGM Recordings. All Rights Reserved. This has been a Quannum Production
03-12-2015
Sports Alphabet - Single
01
Sports Alphabet
Blackalicious
Sports Alphabet - Single
02:14
Writer: Timothy Parker / Composers: Lucas McFadden
On Fire Tonight - Single
OGM Recordings Copyright 2015. All rights Reserved. This has been a Quannum Production.
28-08-2015
On Fire Tonight - Single
01
On Fire Tonight
Blackalicious
On Fire Tonight - Single
02:40
Writer: X. Mosley - T. Parker / Composers: X. Mosley
Blacka - Single
OGM Recordings Copyright 2015. All rights Reserved. This has been a Quannum Production.
14-08-2015
Blacka - Single
01
Blacka
Blackalicious
Blacka - Single
02:43
Writer: X. Mosley - T. Parker / Composers: X. Mosley
The Blowup - Single
OGM Recordings Copyright 2015. All rights Reserved. This has been a Quannum Production.
07-08-2015
The Blowup - Single
01
The Blowup
Blackalicious
The Blowup - Single
04:01
Writer: X. Mosley - T. Parker / Composers: X. Mosley
Featured in
Quannum Spectrum
01-01-1999
Quannum Spectrum
01
Concentration
Quannum MCs meet Jurassic 5
Quannum Spectrum
04:39
02
One Of A Kind
Blackalicious
Quannum Spectrum
02:57
03
Storm Warning
Latyrx
Quannum Spectrum
05:45
04
Divine Intervention
DJ Shadow
Quannum Spectrum
04:19
05
Mic Break
Mack B-Dog has a sit-down with The Gift of Gab
Quannum Spectrum
01:06
06
Golden Rule
Maroons feat. Erin Anova
Quannum Spectrum
03:53
07
People Like Me
Joyo Velarde
Quannum Spectrum
04:33
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
Nova Classics Hip Hop, Vol. 1
Nova Records
20-09-2019
Nova Classics Hip Hop, Vol. 1
01
Let's Ride
Q-Tip
Nova Classics Hip Hop, Vol. 1
04:05
Writer: J. Yancey - Kamaal Fareed / Composers: J. Yancey - Kamaal Fareed
02
Rat Race
Gift of Gab
Nova Classics Hip Hop, Vol. 1
02:50
Writer: Jacob Dutton - Tim Parker / Composers: Jacob Dutton - Tim Parker
03
Next Levels
King Geedorah
Nova Classics Hip Hop, Vol. 1
03:47
Writer: D. Thompson / Composers: D. Thompson
04
It's Been a Long Time
Rakim
Nova Classics Hip Hop, Vol. 1
03:55
Writer: William Griffin - Eric Barrier - Fred Babbitt - James Brown - Charles Fred A. Bobbit - Eric B. - Bobby Byrd - Rakim - Chris Martin / Composers: William Griffin - Eric Barrier - Fred Babbitt - James Brown - Charles Fred A. Bobbit - Eric B. - Bobby Byrd - Rakim - Chris Martin
05
Lost in Thought
Funkdoobiest
Nova Classics Hip Hop, Vol. 1
03:36
Writer: Jason Vasquez - Larry Muggerud - Ray Roll / Composers: Jason Vasquez - Larry Muggerud - Ray Roll
06
Fuck the Police
Jay Dilla
Nova Classics Hip Hop, Vol. 1
02:32
Writer: J. Yancey - R. Costy - A. Decock / Composers: J. Yancey - R. Costy - A. Decock
07
Music Evolution
Buckshot Lefonque
Nova Classics Hip Hop, Vol. 1
04:58
Writer: B. Marsalis - R. Dacosta / Composers: B. Marsalis - R. Dacosta
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
â„— 2007 7 Grand
31-07-2007
Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
01
Cuz I'm Jazzy
Guru
Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
03:00
Writer: Guru - Solar / Composers: Guru - Solar
02
State of Clarity
Guru
Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
03:32
Writer: Guru - Solar / Composers: Guru - Solar
03
Stand Up
Guru
Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
03:36
Writer: Guru - Solar / Composers: Guru - Solar
04
Look to the Sun
Guru
Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
03:27
Writer: Guru - Solar / Composers: Guru - Solar
05
Connection
Guru
Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
03:24
Writer: Guru - Solar / Composers: Guru - Solar
06
Fine and Free
Guru
Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
03:25
Writer: Guru - Solar / Composers: Guru - Solar
07
Wait On Me
Guru
Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
03:05
Writer: Guru - Solar / Composers: Guru - Solar
Access the complete album info (16 songs)