Title: Imani, Vol. 1
Label: Black Mines
Product Type: VINYL LP

Double vinyl LP pressing. 2015 release, the fourth studio album and first in a decade by the critically-lauded hip hop duo. Ten years after 2005's The Craft comes Blackalicious' self-release, Imani, Vol. 1. Three years in the works, the album stays true to rapper Gift of Gab's clever tongue-twisting wordplay and DJ/producer Chief Xcel's unique beats. First volume of a trilogy with appearances from Lifesavas, Lateef, Lyrics Born, funk band Monophonics, polyphonic Afro-Pop singer Zap Mama, and Fantastic Negrito who won a performance on NPR's Tiny Desk. 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, it's 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.

Tracks:
1.1 Faith (FT. Amde of the Watts Prophets)
1.2 Blacka
1.3 Ashes to Ashes
1.4 On Fire Tonight (FT. Myron of Myron ; E)
1.5 Escape
1.6 The Sun (FT. Imani Coppola)
1.7 That Night (FT. Vursatyl and Jumbo of the Lifesavas)
1.8 Inspired By (FT. Bosko)
2.1 We Did It Again (FT. Danielle Flax)
2.2 I Like the Way You Talk
2.3 Twist of Time
2.4 The Blow Up
2.5 Loves Gonna Save the Day (FT. Fantastic Negrito)
2.6 Alpha and Omega (FT. Lateef, Lyrics Born, Monophonics, ; DJ D Sharp)
2.7 The Hour Glass
2.8 Imani (FT. Zap Mama)