With more than a decade and a half of industry experience and a rich catalog of recordings,Ā Black MilkĀ has transitioned from one of hip-hopās young rising stars to a virtuoso with a uniquely well-rounded pedigree as a producer, rapper and performer. Returning to the scene amidst a turbulent political climate, Black Milkās latest album,Ā FEVER, is a socially aware body of work with a multi-genre soundscape, building on his style of fusing electronic programming with live music. The album is out now viaĀ Mass Appeal RecordsĀ and Blackās label Computer Ugly.
ForĀ FEVER, Black admits he deliberately wanted to shift his tone. āI wanted to make a more colorful, feel-good album because I felt like my last two albums were pretty dark. Of course, between the election and the intense political and social climate, it was hard for me to stay on that feel-good vibe.ā The result is a fluid 12-track album with flashes of that optimism Black Milkintended amongst serious subject matter, such as police brutality and the mental and emotional impact of social media. Musically, Black continued to build on the sound he began crafting with 2010āsĀ Album of The Year, in which he fuses the electronic programming heās known for with live music to create a multi-genre soundscape with both modern and vintage textures. All-star percussionistsĀ Chris āDaddyā DaveĀ andĀ Daru Jones, longtime collaboratorĀ Malik HunterĀ (bass), and newcomersĀ Ian FinkĀ (keys) andĀ Sasha Kashperko (guitar) helped bring BlackMilkās vision, of creating beautiful genre-bending compositions with his signature hard-hitting drums, to life. Featured vocalistsĀ Dwele,Ā Aaron āAbā Abernathy, andĀ SudieĀ (a producer / vocalist signed to BlackāsĀ Computer UglyĀ label) serve to juxtapose Blackās heavy lyrical content with airy vibes.
Over the past 15 years, Black Milk has amassed a dynamic portfolio. After scoring his first production credit forĀ Slum VillageĀ as a teenager in 2002, he eventually worked closely with the group and co-produced much of their two following albums. His self-released, full-length projectĀ Sound of the CityĀ (2005) led to his first independent record deal, and he began to gain international attention for the soul-sample-driven style on his proper solo debutĀ Popular Demand(2007). Five solo rap albums (Tronic,Ā Album of the Year,Ā No Poison No Paradise,Ā Glitches In The Break,Ā If Thereās A Hell Below), an instrumental album (Synth or Soul), a live instrumental album (The Rebellion Sessions) with his touring bandĀ Nat Turner,numerous collaboration albums (includingĀ Black and BrownĀ withĀ Danny BrownĀ andĀ Random AxeĀ withĀ Guilty SimpsonĀ &the lateĀ Sean Price), 2 singles withĀ Jack WhiteĀ and numerous other productions (including Danny Brownās āReally Doeā ft.Ā Kendrick Lamar,Ā Ab SoulĀ andĀ Earl Sweatshirt) later, Black Milk remains one of hip-hopās most consistent artists. Bringing his numerous recordings to life with live band Nat Turner, Black Milk has also been recognized as a genuine and poised performer, one of hip-hop and musicās most acclaimed live acts.
PAT Junior
pat junior is a music artist, writer and producer who is originally from Brooklyn, NY but currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. His introduction to music, specifically Hip-Hop, was A Tribe Called Quest via his mother.Ā At a young age, he would recite popular poetry by known black authors and write his own poetry, which then evolved into writing rhymes to some of his favorite MCās instrumentals.Ā He looks to create art that will help inspire, encourage, provoke higher thought and help people get through the ups & downs of life; while also aiming to Be Absxlute in all aspects of his own life.