25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review of a Paragraph President, August 27, 2005
This review is from: Nia (Audio CD)
Like any middle school child in 90-92, I thought I knew about hip-hop being the proud owner of "The Chronic", "Doggystyle", and "Predator". Yet, my liking of hip-hop was always extended to just a couple of the hot albums of the day, and I never really considered myself a hip-hop head.
When, just a few years ago, I realized there was an entire undercurrent of, not simply underground hip-hop, but hip-hop that is not force-fed to the masses incessantly, I was intrigued.
Because of acts like Blackalicious, my intrigue has waned in favor of outright militancy.
As a seventh grade teacher on the immediate outskirts of Washington D.C., I have the challenging, yet enjoyable task of trying to connect with some of the most brilliant teenagers in the world, as well as those whose futures have been pre-condemned because of socioeconomic setbacks.
I thank God for musicianns like Blackalicious because they project hope and positivity.
Throughout the year I will post quotes and play snippets of songs from NIA to pique the interest of my students.
With "Cliffhanger" we can study the elements of plot structure.
Not since Slick Rick has an MC made storytelling so compelling.
Gift of Gab displays an astounding ability to couple precise flow with a variety of tempos, always blessed with creative, and most often, thought-provoking lyrics.
The beats, ranging from soulfully-melancholic head-nodders to upbeat funk numbers, provide the perfect backdrop to Gift's signature flow, and foretell of the ability Chief X-Cel delivers on later releases.
From straight out we're here to impress songs like "A to G" and "You Didn't
Know That Though" to the conscious "Shallow Days", "Making Progress" and, "Deception" which supply ammo to those who continue to argue that hip-hop can be an inspirational and uplifitng tool, NIA stakes a major claim in the timeline of hip-hop for those who believe in its true spirit.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Near perfect - a masterwork, August 25, 2000
This review is from: Nia (Audio CD)
One of the most amazing albums I have ever heard! I've been a fan of DJ Shadow for ages and when I heard Quannum's "Spectrum" I loved Gift's rapping and had to buy the A to G EP and this. Its one of the most diverse sounding albums out there and the tracks could stand alone even without the Gift of Gabs' often outstanding lyrics. The music is amazing, the rapping is incredible. DJ Shadow and the almost equally amazing Latryx make guest apppearances - stand out tracks "If I may", "Smithzonian Institute..", "Shallow Days". Shadow is as inventive as always on the positively weird "Cliffhanger". THis album is so accomplished it leaves nearly every other hip hop album I've heard for dead. If you know anyone who refuses to listen to hip hop, introduce them via "Nia" and let them see the light. Hopefully this is step one in a new breed of soulful hip hop
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow!, March 20, 2000
This review is from: Nia (Audio CD)
What is this stuff called again? Oh yeah, I remember. It's called real hip hop. Progessive and stylistic through and through. I give this album 5 stars because it's Blackalicious. I'll admit, there are a couple of tracks I could do without but this album is on another level. Gift of Gab is on point as usual and I still can't get over that Shadow produced track "Cliff Hanger." It is the most psychedelic and gothic hip hop song I think I have ever heard. Throw your new commercial hip hop albums in the trash because the future is NIA.
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