Imani, Vol. 1 by Blackalicious

7.2 / 10

On Imani, Vol. 1, their first album in a decade, Blackalicious reunites triumphantly. Gif of Gab, one of the most underrated technicians of his time, can still trade bars with the best of them, but what makes Vol. 1 particularly powerful—and what separates it from the duo’s work outside of Blackalicious titles—is its warm energy and its infectious groove.

7.2 / 10

On Imani, Vol. 1, their first album in a decade, Blackalicious reunites triumphantly. Gif of Gab, one of the most underrated technicians of his time, can still trade bars with the best of them, but what makes Vol. 1 particularly powerful—and what separates it from the duo’s work outside of Blackalicious titles—is its warm energy and its infectious groove.

C

As rap progresses through middle age, coping mechanisms among veterans still in the game have been mixed: Some gloat about their success like nothing has changed (Jay Z); some have gotten nostalgic about their breakout years (Eminem); some have deliberately shed any semblance of an edge (Wu-Tang Clan). Amid a surge in…

C

As rap progresses through middle age, coping mechanisms among veterans still in the game have been mixed: Some gloat about their success like nothing has changed (Jay Z); some have gotten nostalgic about their breakout years (Eminem); some have deliberately shed any semblance of an edge (Wu-Tang Clan). Amid a surge in…

7.3 / 10

There’s a moment about 20 minutes into Blackalicious’s fourth LP, Imani Vol. 1, where the beats fade, the rhymes fall out,…

7.3 / 10

There’s a moment about 20 minutes into Blackalicious’s fourth LP, Imani Vol. 1, where the beats fade, the rhymes fall out,…

Sacramento's Blackalicious return, though after nearly 20 years in the game, it seems platitudinous to peg Gift of Gab as one of rap's most underrated sons.

7 / 10

After a difficult illness, Blackalicious’s Gift of Gab is in grateful, nostalgic mood on this long-delayed new album

7 / 10