Black Milk "Everything Good?" (Album Stream)

Everything Good? is the eighth studio from Detroit producer and MC, Black Milk. This talented brother has been releasing music for two decades and continues to push the envelope on creativity in his production. The 12-track LP features Quelle Chris, Karriem Riggins, Mick Jenkins, Raphael Saadiq and Phonte. Originally signed through Fat Beats Records, we crossed paths a lot in those early years and Detroit had a stronghold on heavy drums and soulful production at the time. "Long Story Short" off his Tronic album is still one of my favorite beats. Anyone remember the Prince instrumental project that lasted on the internet a cold 10 minutes before it got ripped from the internet? Lol. Listen to his progression on this latest effort, Everything Good? streaming below...

Cypress Hill "Back In Black" (Album Stream)

Cypress Hill shifts culture. Since releasing its eponymous debut album in 1991, the California rap group has regularly revolutionized rap. B-Real and Sen Dog’s innovative lyrics, distinctive voices and poignant street-centered subject matter catapulted the group to superstar status. Its first LP sold more than 2 million units and its second album, 1993’s Black Sunday, pushed another 3 million units thanks to the Grammy-nominated singles “Insane In The Brain” and “I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That”. Along the way, Cypress Hill earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, sold more than 9 million albums, and were nominated for three Grammy Awards. During a time increasingly defined by singles of the moment, rappers B-Real and Sen Dog wanted to make a statement by releasing an album. Back in Black, the group’s tenth studio project, finds the group flexing its musical muscles and pushing itself creatively. With a mesmerizing mix of celebratory, confrontational, inspirational, reflective, and rugged songs, Cypress Hill shines throughout Back in Black. Entirely produced by Black Milk (Slum Village, Lloyd Banks, Pharoahe Monch), the LP is an homage to Cypress Hill’s return and its collaboration with Black Milk. It's finally here, check out this fresh collaborative album below...

HouseShoes "Magic 2018 Wrap-Up (Non Rap)" (Mix)

"Wrapping up 2018 with my favorite non-rap shit from beats to soul to jazz from around the globe," says Houseshoes. I think the days of "tastemakers" are long gone (for the most part) but for those who have been around long enough, there are still people in the industry who are human algorithms; they weed through all the music out there to bring us the best of the best in their niche. Houseshoes has certainly earned his spot with his unique ear, connections and due diligence. With that said, here's his mix of tunes featuring the likes of Drugs Beats, Black Milk, DJ Spinna, Stro Elliot, Ghost McGrady, Tall Black Guy, John Coltrane, Kamasi Washington, and lots more. Dig in below...

Black Milk "Tronic" (10th Anniversary)

"Tronic is an artistic breakthrough for Detroit producer/rapper Black Milk, a Slum Village associate who has toiled in the industry for years (which he explains on the triumphant chipmunk-soul anthem "Long Story Short"). The title tips off the rough electronic tint of his third album, but this ain't no retro-electro party: Milk bangs out hard synth tracks with malevolent fire, "murdering the booth" on cuts such as "The Matrix" and "Overdose." Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, Royce Da 5'9", and other MCs show up to anoint the new price of hardcore hip-hop." - Mosi Reeves (Spin, 2009). Referenced in the album review is the opening track "Long Story Short," which I have as one of the best track 1s on any album of recent memory. I think Black Milk pushed the envelope and was ahead of his time switching to more live instrumentation when Tronic was released, so I'm curious how people feel it has aged and sits with the current climate of music production (sans trap music)? Revisit it...

Black Milk "Fever" (Album Stream)

A virtuoso, known for boundary-pushing production (often fusing traditional hip-hop drum programming with sampling and live music) and thoughtful lyrics, Black Milk is respected across the industry for his unique sound, consistency and innovation. Returning to the scene amidst a turbulent political climate, the Detroit-born rapper/producer releases FEVER. Black Milk's sixth solo rap album, and his first since 2014's If There's a Hell Below, FEVER combines pointed and topical lyrics and brilliant musicianship, including percussion from all-star musicians Chris “Daddy” Dave and Daru Jones, bass by long-time collaborator Malik Hunter, and keys and guitar/bass from newcomers Ian Fink and Sasha Kashperko, respectively. Black Milk evolves his production style of fusing electronic, soul, rock and other soundscapes with electronic programming and live music, a method he began experimenting with on his 2010 release Album of the Year. A cohesive 12-track project, listening to FEVER evokes the feeling of scrolling through an endless news feed, finding Black Milk reporting and commenting on the world's problems with empathy, clarity, and wit. Additional vocals from Dwele, Aaron "Ab" Abernathy, and Sudie (a producer / vocalist signed to Black Milk’s Computer Ugly label) serve to juxtapose Black’s heavy lyrical content with airy vibes. Listen to Black Milk's FEVER below.

Black Milk "FACT Mix, 639" (Mix, Instrumentals)

Detroit’s Black Milk goes genre-free on this wide-reaching blend of beats, bleeps and bumps for FACT Mag. Emerging in the early ’00s producing beats for Detroit royalty Slum Village, Black Milk quickly rose to prominence as both an innovative producer and talented rapper. Over his lengthy career, Black Milk has worked with Danny Brown, RZA, The Roots, Dilla and many others. He brings this depth of knowledge to his FACT Mix, where he blends his own pristine instrumentals with tracks from Kraftwerk, Cybotron, The Internet and even Isolée. It’s a mix that doesn’t concern itself with genre constrictions, just vibes, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. - FACT Mag

Will Sessions "Real Sessions" (Album Stream/Download)

On this day 5 years ago, Will Sessions released "Real Sessions," a free 11-track project that featured Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat, and Black Milk; it was recorded between 2009-2010 and released in 2011. The press release for the project said, "Before reinterpreting the music for a pretty well known classic hip hop album from NY, Will Sessions produced a series of wildly successful live shows for Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat, and Black Milk in their hometown of Detroit in 2009 and 2010. The band had performed dozens of times in previous years within multiple genres–namely funk, jazz, and afrobeat–but had never tackled hip hop until these shows. Real Sessions revisits those performances with 10 selected live recordings showcasing their full 8-piece band recrafting beats from Madlib, J Dilla, Black Milk, Mr. Porter, and Nick Speed; with DJ Dez providing his trademark cuts and scratches. Recorded to multi-track, fully mixed and mastered. Includes an 18-page booklet." It's still dope so I thought I'd (re)share it ... stream it or download for free below.

Black Milk "If There's A Hell Below" (Instrumental Album)

Detroit's Black Milk's 6th solo LP, "If There's A Hell Below," painted pictures from a first person perspective of someone raised and living in one of America's toughest cities, and the ups and downs of pursuing a career in the arts. The stories reflect how he and the people where he's from feel or have felt - if there's a hell below, maybe we're already in it. This limited edition Record Store Day double LP features the previously unreleased instrumentals showcasing the versatility and impact of Black Milk's production. I recommend coppin' the vinyl release, but give it a listen below, too...

Black Milk "If There's a Hell Below" (Album Stream)

On Black Milk’s 6th solo rap LP, "If There’s A Hell Below," Black continues the narratives he started on his 2013 release "No Poison No Paradise." This time, rather than speaking through the character Sonny Jr., Black paints pictures from a first person perspective of someone raised and living in one of America’s toughest cities, and the ups and downs of pursuing a career in the arts. The stories reflect how he and the people where he’s from feel or have felt - if there’s a hell below, maybe we’re already in it. Another great release from Black Milk. Props to Fat Beats. Stream it below.