Baby Blak 'Once You Go Blak' album

After almost a decade of mashing it up as one-half of the renowned Philly duo, ILL Advised (alongside partner Mr. Lish - the pair even made the pages of the VIBE History of Hip Hop book), Baby Blak steps out on his own with the release of his solo debut - Once You Go Blak on BBE/Millenia Music.

Perhaps you first heard Blak's witty wordplay and complex spit-patterns on the Alchemist-produced High & Mighty track, "Open Mic Night" or "1.9.8.6.," the hometown anthem that led to major ink in magazines from Ego Trip to VIBE to The Source, and BLAZE. Or was it just last year when he lit up the airwaves with "Blak Iz Back," laced "Stand Clear" on DJ Babu's Duck Down, paired with Grand Agent on "Soldierz" and rounded out his 2002 collab'n collection with four gems on DJ Jazzy Jeff's highly praised BBE Beat Generation album, The Magnificent.

In this era of American Idol, where fame can be nearly instantaneous, Baby Blak emotes after 10 years of hard work: "Finally somebody has the heart to put some real money behind our projects. With a machine backing us, it's curtains; the hustle has paid off. I guess between all the bullshit that gets put on, some real music gets through the cracks." With Planet Asia, Obie Trice, Last Emperor and Mr. Lish on board for the assist, Once You Go Blak explores everything from street sagas to poverty, fatherhood, women and betrayal coupled with top shelf production by DJ Revolution, Evidence (Dilated Peoples), Newcleus, Joey Chavez, local beatmakers Jay-Ski, Sat-One, and the A Touch of Jazz powerhouse.

Cementing Blak's status as the next great MC from The City of Brotherly Love, The Wake Up Show's DJ Revolution (Millenia Music President) offers these words: "The world ain't ready for Baby Blak, but he's here anyway - so wake up. If William Shakespeare grew up in the streets of West Philly, he still wouldn't hold a candle to my man." With an incredible command of the English language and lyricism so tight it should hold a patent, Once You Go Blak sets a delectable new hip hop standard. Far from jiggy yet refusing to be categorized as a member of the "slumber-underground," Blak reps the middle ground - a place where confidence, the hustle, politrix and independence reign. Ten years in the making, and miles away from having pressed his own wax, Baby Blak drops this summer with Once You Go Blak...

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Baby Blak - Once You Go Blak