BAMP Project Presents Blackalicious

In a hip-hop career that has stretched past a decade, Blackalicious has earned respect the old-fashioned way–rising through honesty, commitment, and artistry. Blackalicious is an American hip hop duo from Sacramento, California made up of rapper Gift of Gab (born Tim Parker) and DJ/producer Chief Xcel (born Xavier Mosley). They are noted for Gift of Gab’s often “tongue-twisting”, multisyllabic, complex rhymes and Chief Xcel’s “classic” beats.

Like a few other West Coast rap acts, including the Pharcyde and Jurassic 5, Blackalicious has generally favored what hip-hoppers call the “positive tip”; in other words, its lyrics have often been spiritual and uplifting rather than violent or misogynous. Like a lot of experimental alternative rappers, Blackalicious can be quirky and eccentric; nonetheless, spirituality is a big part of the group’s music. Although Blackalicious wasn’t formed until the early ’90s, its members had known each other since the late ’80s. Founding members Gift of Gab (Timothy Parker) and Chief Xcel (Xavier Mosley) first met in Sacramento, CA, in 1987 when they were students at John F. Kennedy High School. Neither of them was originally from Sacramento; DJ/producer Xcel (who was going by DJ IceSki at the time) was a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, while rapper Gift of Gab was from Los Angeles’ suburban San Fernando Valley.

After being together eight years, Blackalicious finally signed with a major label when, in late 2000, the Californians were added by MCA. In April 2002, Quannum/MCA released Blazing Arrow, which boasted guest appearances ranging from vocalist Zack de la Rocha (of Rage Against the Machine) to the Roots’ ?uestlove to veteran soul singer Gil Scott-Heron. After the requisite tour, both Xcel and Gab began developing solo material; Quannum released both Maroons’ Ambush (Chief Xcel with Latyrx’s Lateef the Truth Speaker) as well as a Gift of Gab solo LP, Fourth Dimensional Rocketships Going Up. The pair returned in 2005 for their third album, The Craft, with a contract in hand from the Anti- label.

A local opener will be announced soon.

Details on the Show:
Where: The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd 3rd Floor, Honolulu, HI 96814
When: Friday, May 6th, 2016
Lounge Doors: 6:00 pm (21 and up)
Hall Doors: 7:00 pm (All ages accompanied by an adult)
Show: 8:00 pm (All ages accompanied by an adult)
Prices: $25.00 in advance plus applicable fees, increase day of the show plus applicable fees

Tickets available Tuesday, March 29th at 9:00am:
BampProject.com / JointheRepublik.com / Flavorus.com / Local Motion Stores / Navy / Hickam ITT Offices / Army LTS Offices / UH Campus Center / The Safehouse (the Lounge within The Republik) Tuesday through Saturday 6:00pm until 1:00am with a $2.00 service fee per ticket / The Republik Box Office Tuesday through Friday 10:00am until 6:00pm with a $2.00 service fee per ticket (The Republik Box Office will open at 9:00am for the on sale date only)