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Product Details
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Track Listings
| 1. Searching |
| 2. The Fabulous Ones |
| 3. Do This My Way |
| 4. Deception |
| 5. A To G |
| 6. Cliff Hanger |
| 7. Shallow Days |
| 8. Ego Trip My Nikki Giovanni |
| 9. You Didn't Know That Though |
| 10. If I May |
| 11. Dream Seasons |
| 12. Trouble (Eve Of Destruction) |
| 13. Smithzonian Institute Of Rhyme |
| 14. As The World Turns |
| 15. Reanimation |
| 16. Beyonder |
| 17. Making Progress |
| 18. Sleep |
| 19. Finding |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
With Nia, Blackalicious hit their stride as leaders of the hip-hop true school. The Sacramento-based duo of producer/DJ Chief Xcel and lyricist The Gift of Gab has been creating luscious, intelligent music since they started out in 1994, and Nia shows them at their best. Gab's rhyming skills are supreme, ranging from evocative storytelling about fame and misfortune ("Deception") to rapped reflections on the state of his art ("Shallow Days") and scathing straight spitting ("Trouble"). A true master of ceremonies, Gab keeps it right by grounding his lyrics in his own experience, preventing his antiestablishment message from getting boring. On the musical front, Xcel's beats fit Gab's wordplay like a glove. They range from the funky, caffeinated drum stutters of "Fabulous Ones," to knowing piano-laced patterns (on the genius "Deception") and slinky, serpentine, Middle Eastern styles ("Smithzonian Institute of Rhyme"). Nia is honest music: from Xcel's carefully stitched-together, relentlessly inventive beats, to Gab's personal poetics. This is soul food for your ears. --Lizz Mendez Berry
Product Description
First full length album from hip-hop supergroup featuring Lateef, Lyrics Born of Latyrx and DJ Shadow. 19 tracks. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Album!
Ok, let me start off by saying I've never really been into hip hop. I'm more of a rocker chick and had never bought an entire hip hop album or ever even heard of Blackalicious. Read more
Published on October 10, 2009 by R. Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
You Will Be Claiming This to be Something-licious Just Like All the...
OK, like, this is really good music and where was I in the year 2000 when Blackalicious' "Nia" came out? I can answer that one friend. Read more
Published on September 6, 2008 by M. Swinney
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best LP's I ever bought!
What can I say other than this is one of the best albums out there. The production was amazing, my head was noddin w/every single beat. Read more
Published on September 30, 2006 by Jimmy Garcia
3.0 out of 5 stars
Chief Xcel is so underrated.
Gift of Gab without a doubt is one of the most original, underrated, and dope emcees of our time. And along with amazing production at the hands of Chief Xcel- Blackalicious always... Read more
Published on March 18, 2006 by London Boggs
4.0 out of 5 stars
Blackalicious Sets the Tone
Blackalicious is a west coast rap group but their sound transcends all geographic distinctions. In fact, I think their music operates on an entirely different plane of the genre. Read more
Published on September 26, 2005 by Rahul Guha
4.0 out of 5 stars
4.5 Stars - Emcees Are (Truly) In "Trouble"...
NIA is Blackalicious' first full length after having released several 12 inches and two EPs (Melodica and A2G) throughout the 90s. Read more
Published on December 20, 2004 by withthebeatzwiththerhymez
5.0 out of 5 stars
THESE GUYS ARE THE EPITOME OF HIP-HOP
Gift of Gab, and Chief Xcel, met in High School, and soon after they displayed their talents to each other, they realized that they had something good going on and that they should... Read more
Published on November 8, 2004 by D.U.I. - Donnie Understands Intelligence
5.0 out of 5 stars
Couldn't be better.
Gift of Gab! This guy flows like no other and once again with Nia, he and Xcel made every song a keeper. The variety of music in this cd is unmatched, so diverse, I'm speechless. Read more
Published on September 7, 2004 by F. Dang
5.0 out of 5 stars
What can I say that hasn't already been said...
One word...satisfying. Out of all the old school and underground albums I have, this definitely ranks as one of the best. Nia is absolutely incredible! Read more
Published on July 21, 2004 by DukeOfEarl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
This album would be complete Fire this thing is absolutely sick there are some very awesome beats and equally if not more sick raps expecially on A to G where he is spitting many... Read more
Published on July 14, 2004 by Chris
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