Tag Archives: Gift of Gab

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Gift of Gab – “Finding Inspiration Somehow” (Album Review)

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Gift of Gab was a 50 year old MC from Sacramento, California who came up as 1/2 of the duo Blackalicious & a member of the Quannum Projects collective almost 3 decades ago. However, it wasn’t until the spring of 2004 when he broke out solo by dropping 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up. This was followed up with Escape 2 Mars as well as The Next Logical Progression & Rejoice! Rappers Are Rapping Again! but with his passing over the summer, he was able to complete 1 last album & Nature Sounds is now putting it out.

After the intro, the first song “Slaugtah Dem (Godly)” has a thunderous instrumental with Gab getting in his battle rap bag whereas “Going Farther” works in a boom bap instrumental with some plinky keys & the title basically speaks for itself in terms of content. “The Gentrification Song” has a moodier sound addressing his feelings on the process of changing the character of a neighborhood through the influx of more wealthy residents & businesses just before “You Gon’ Make It in the End” with Lateef the Truthspeaker & Vursatyl is a touching moment on the album telling the listeners to push on.

Meanwhile for “Vice Grip”, we have Gift of Gab switching in between rhyme schemes over an explosive beat from Nick Andre leading into him describing “The World Without Money” & the instrumental is funky as Hell. I like the atmospheric shift on “Alchemy” as Gab tells the listener to keep it going, but “Enter the Dragon” has a more cinematic sound ascending to another level.

“A Weekend in Venice” is more of an R&B-tinged interlude while the song “The Idea of America” has a funnier sound with Gab continuing the streams of consciousness. The penultimate track “Breathe In” is a more tropical cut saying all you need is love & then “Back to the Light” couldn’t have ended the album any better by providing a beautiful glimmer of hope despite the dark days.

Overall, I think Finding Inspiration Somehow is a bittersweet swan song from the late Sacramento emcee. It showcases why a truly one of a kind lyricist lyricist he was, the production’s on point & I love the miniminal amount of guest MCs being featured. Just exactly how he would’ve wanted it to be.

Score: 8/10

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Gift of Gab – “Vice Grip”

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Nature Sounds kicks off the roll-out for the upcoming posthumous Gift of Gab album Finding Inspiration Somehow by premiering the lead single “Vice Grip”. The new full-length was completed before the MC’s unfortunate death back in June & is set to be released September 10.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Gift of Gab of Blackalicious Passes Away

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Heartbreaking news, Gift of Gab, one half of the legendary hip-hop duo Blackalicious has lossed his fight to a long battle with Kidney complications.

“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear brother, Timothy J. Parker a.k.a. The Gift of Gab,” his crew Quannum announced in a statement this morning. “Tim peacefully departed this earth to be with our ancestors on Friday, June 18, 2021. He is survived by two brothers, one sister, many nieces and nephews, countless friends, and fans across the globe. We ask that the family’s privacy is respected as we mourn the tremendous loss of our dear brother.” 


Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Blazing Arrow: Blackalicious MC Gift Of Gab Is Finally Getting A New Kidney

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Celebrate Brooklyn 2013 - Big Boi & D Nice In Concert

Source: Al Pereira / Getty

Perseverance is a trait that every rapper needs in order to make in the entertainment industry. One performer who has held on strong while fighting health issues finally got the call he has been waiting for.

For the last seven years Gift Of Gab has been enduring an extremely taxing dialysis treatments due to his failing kidney. HipHopDX is reporting that the Blackalicious MC is getting the transplant that could change his life forever. The Sacramento, California rapper took to their group’s official Instagram to announce that he is getting his wish answered.

“I got a call last night saying your kidney is ready, be here by 10 a.m. tomorrow,” he revealed. “It’s about 9 right now. I’m on my way to the clinic to get my new kidney. I want to say thank you to everybody that has donated to the GoFundMe.”

In January the Bay Area lyricist launched a fund raising initiative with an original goal of $8,000 but has received over $20,000 dollars in donations. He expressed his gratitude to his supporters but also informed his followers that he will have keep the platform open to cover some of his fees post surgery. “We’re going to keep the GoFundMe going for another week ’cause I’m going to be out of work for probably three months and I gotta pay for lodging and all of that good stuff. I’m already grateful, but anything extra just makes it easier for me to heal. Thank you to everybody once again.”

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Hey friends, A joyous message from Gift of Gab! Peace and love

A post shared by Blackalicious (@officialblackalicious) on

Prior to going under the knife he shared another from the facility thanking everyone for their support. “Yo, I want to thank everybody for the GoFundMe support,” he says. “Send out prayers, send out positive energy for me. I’m about to go under and come back with a new kidney. Bow” he said.

Prayers up for Gab. You can put some respeck on his GoFundMe here.

Photo: Getty

Source: HipHopWired.com

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Help Support Gift of Gab’s Kidney Transplant Recovery Fund

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Gift of Gab, of the Sacramento-based duo, Blackalicious is finally just weeks away from receiving a kidney after being on the transplant list for the past seven years. Prior to surgery, the Bay Area rap veteran has launched a GoFundMe campaign in an effort to offset travel costs to Arizona’s Mayo Clinic and the expenses that will incur while he’s recovering. Those who donate to the GoFundMe campaign will receive a free Gift Of Gab EP titled, Offering.

“I am reaching out to my fans and people in general with this GoFundMe because once I get the transplant it’s going to be costly. I need to bring a caregiver out, rent a car, buy food, and not to mention I can’t work for six weeks and bills and rent at home don’t stop. Reaching out to all to help me get thru this.”

Gab has been in dialysis for four sessions a week since 2013. The sessions last between three and four hours each. But even through all of his medical challenges, he has not only maintained a rigorous touring schedule but also a positive attitude, which he believes was crucial in getting him to this point. “Being on dialysis for me has been 90 percent mental. It’s all a state of mind. Luckily, even though it’s difficult and chaining at times, I’m still able to travel and do shows. That in itself has kept me going and kept my spirits up.”

Gift of Gab formed Blackaliocus along with Chief Xcel at the University of California, Davis in 1992. Their third studio album, 2005’s The Craft, peaked at number five on Billboard’s US Indie album charts. Throughout their career, Blackalicious has collaborated with notable artists like Questlove, Zack de la Rocha, and Gil Scott-Heron.

In addition to Offering, Gab is getting ready to drop a new solo project this year, which will mark the follow-up to 2017’s Rejoice! Rappers Are Rapping Again! Blackalicious also plans on releasing another installment of Imani in the very near future.

In the meantime, you may support his kidney transplant recovery fund. Every dollar is a tremendous help: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gift-of-gab-kidney-transplant-recover-fund

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Tha Native ft. E-40 – “Go Get The Paypah”

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Tha Native is best known for his early 2018 Tech N9ne-featured single, “Whatcha Wanna Do”. Continuing to make a name for himself, the Highland, California-native takes a trip to the Yay Area, linking up with the Bay Area Ambassador himself E-40 for new single to close out the year, “Go Get The Paypah”.

On the track, the two stars spit that money talk. The Native American hold his own with the book of Slang, catchy hook, gritty street attitude, and exciting to sing-a-long, “Go Get The Paypah” is a great addition to the up-and-coming’s resume. The new single is the lead up to a highly-anticipated album by Tha Native, slated for a early 2019 release.

Tha Native is coming off of the road as an opening act for E-40’s “Gift of Gab Tour”. Tha Native has also shared the stage with Tech N9ne and his Strange Music roster previously as well on tour.

Stream “Go Get The Paypah” now, courtesy of Spotify.

Follow Tha Native on Twitter: @thanative1

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