The bay’s preeminent indie hip-hop duo, Blackalicious will be performing this Valentine’s Day at Slim’s in San Francisco. Pioneers of The West Coast Underground Hip Hop, Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel have been making eccentric, soulful hip-hop for more than two decades. Like fellow west coast “alternative” rap groups, the Pharcyde and Jurassic 5, Blackalicious favors classic R&B and jazz samples and lofi sounds to the overproduced beats of mainstream hip-hop. Xcel’s funky beats combined with Gab’s complex rhymes and uplifting messages, make the group one of the most charismatic and compelling hip-hop groups touring today.
The duo will be performing classic cuts from their deep and extensive catalogue, as well as new tracks off their upcoming album Imani, which is set for release in June 2014. Joining the group at Slim’s will be special guests Lifesavas, Kween, Myron and Mission-based musical collective Jazz Mafia.
Bring your Valentine to Slim’s for a night of some of the Bay Area’s best hip-hop. – Ethan Varian