Gift Of Gab Wrote Most Of Blackalicious' New LP While On Dialysis
When Blackalicious returned with last year's Imani Vol. 1 -- their first album in a decade -- we trembled with satisfaction, knowing that the legendary duo (comprising Gift Of Gab and Chief Xcel) were still in top form.
Little did we know, however, that the album's inspiration was derived from a particularly dark moment in Gift Of Gab's life, when he suffered from kidney failure and found himself in weekly dialysis sessions. But, as he details in a freshly-released documentary short that takes its name from the emcee himself, Gab's physical and mental pain, looking down the hole of eternity, served as a massive point of inspiration, finding him writing the bulk of Imani Vol. 1 while in those grueling blood-cleaning sessions.
Now, after a Tribeca Film Festival debut, the short is available for you to watch for free via Pitchfork. Delve into Gift Of Gab's inspirational tale in the video below and catch Blackalicious on tour throughout the remainder of the summer. Imani Vol. 1 is out now and can be purchased on iTunes today.
Blackalicious Tour Dates:
Jun 17 @ Dulcinea's - Denver, CO
Jun 18 @ Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO
Jun 19 @ Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
Jun 24 @ Brooklyn Bowl - London, United Kingdom
Jun 25 @ Glastonbury Festival - Pilton, United Kingdom
Jun 26 @ Club Academy - Manchester, United Kingdom
Jul 07 @ Sin City - Swansea, United Kingdom
Jul 08 @ Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Jul 09 @ Townlands Carnival - Macroom, Ireland
