Happy 25th Anniversary to Blackalicious’ debut studio album Nia, originally released in Europe August 30, 1999 and the US February 29, 2000.
Tim “Gift of Gab” Parker and Xavier “Chief Xcel” Mosley formed Blackalicious in 1992 at the University of California, Davis, as part of the original Solesides collective that also included Lyrics Born, Lateef the Truthspeaker and DJ Shadow. There must have been something in the water up at Davis because this like-minded bunch of rappers, DJs, and producers soon began committing a lot of quality music to wax.
Blackalicious made their debut with the Melodica EP in 1994, including production from DJ Shadow a good two years before the release of his breakout magnum opus, 1996's instrumental album Endtroducing…... When the time came for Blackalicious to drop their debut full-length album Nia in Europe in 1999 followed by its subsequent arrival in the US in 2000, Solesides had transitioned as a label and crew to now being known as Quannum Projects. The name had changed, but this was still very much the same squad of talented emcees and producers, and by now, the team was among California's most respected hip-hop groups alongside the likes of the Hieroglyphics, Jurassic 5 and the Likwit Crew.
If Nia were released today, it would probably get tagged as “art rap,” that unnecessary label recently invented as a way to describe some left-field rappers. It's nothing more than a pointless qualifier at best. It's true that artists like billy woods, Elucid, Open Mike Eagle, and Jonwayne are making a different kind of rap music relative to what you hear on the radio, but what they do is still rooted in the most basic principles of classic hip-hop: dope rhymes over heavy beats.
Some accused Nia of being too flowery and free-spirited to be considered “real hip-hop,” pushing it even further into left-field territory. But this is mostly nonsense. Yes, it feels overly spiritual, new-age, and freewheeling at points, but the late Gift of Gab—who passed away in 2021—raps hard on Nia and was honestly one of rap music's most talented writers. He was a masterful storyteller, moving from fun, light-hearted, and abstract rhymes ("A to G," "Beyonder") to tracks with meatier subjects ("Shallow Days") without ever pausing for breath or having to work too hard.
Listen to the Album:
This is complemented expertly by Chief Xcel's versatile production that is capable of switching seamlessly between a full selection of different hip-hop beat types—from straight-up dusty head nodders ("Deception," "Shallow Days") to throwback joints ("The Fabulous Ones") and all sorts of other things in between. In fact, the least hip-hop sounding production on the entire album is found on one of the only two songs not produced by Chief Xcel, "Cliff Hanger." DJ Shadow provides the beat for this himself, and he's in full electro-funk mode.
The rest of the Solesides/Quannum Projects crew are in effect on Nia, strengthening their reputation for heavy collaboration and support for each other's music. The collective has a deep discography of side projects among the various members, and some of these crossover on Nia. Lyrics Born features on the stripped-down, airy "Do This My Way," which he also produces. His partner in the group Latyrx, Lateef the Truthspeaker, guests on the eclectic "If I May" and the exquisitely named "Smithzonian Institute of Rhyme." Lateef later joined with Chief Xcel to form Lateef and the Chief, and their 2004 album, Maroons: Ambush, is worth checking for. Special mention should also go to Erinn Anova for her contributions to Nia. She's primarily known today as a TV actor but can also sing, and her smooth but commanding voice is heard throughout Nia, giving it a soulful, organic feel.
Highlights from Blackalicious’ post-Nia output include Blazing Arrow in 2002 and The Craft in 2005. The duo never made a bad album and their discography warrants repeat exploration in the spirit of celebrating their fruitful musical partnership.
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Editor's note: this anniversary tribute was originally published in 2019 and has since been edited for accuracy and timeliness.