OKAYPLAYER’S TRACK BY TRACK ‘ALBUM OF THE YEAR’ WRITE-UP

Track by Track, Black Milk’s Album of the Year
Posted on 08/04/2010

Detroit emcee/producer Black Milk, most commonly known as the protégé of the late great J Dilla, is gearing up to release his latest album boastfully entitled, Album of the Year. Following his last effort, Tronic, the Detroit emcee explained that his new album is by far the most honest work he’s ever created. I know he said this because, well, I was fortunate enough to be sitting right in front of him when he said it. Then he reached over and hit play on the stereo. Here’s what I heard.

The track-by-track breakdown of Black Milk’s Album of the Year

“365”
It’s the album opener hip-hop heads want from every project. Explosion. Drama. The song is comprised of horns and organs, a heavy funk bass, and of course, Black Milk’s signature drum. No chorus, either. Just bars of fury. The sweet spot comes at the end when he lets the instrumental play almost as if the music had its own verse to the song.

“Welcome (Gotta Go)”
Again, Black Milk presents a song with music suitable for a soundtrack. It evokes a sense of eeriness and almost feels like it could fit well with a Tarantino script. The lyrics outline shady industry trip-ups and the moxy that it takes to get through them. Black Milk throws in another music break at the end and adds some colorful nuances to the track .

“Keep Going”
The first words Black Milk says before the verse even starts is “Drums.” That’s pretty much all that needs to be said.

“Oh Girl” (featuring AB)
Sure, it’s something for the ladies. The ladies who love hip-hop. The track is still pretty gully, so to speak, but has a smooth undertone. And AB’s voice is the closest thing to D’Angelo’s I’ve heard, so the hook sounds great.

Click HERE to read the full write-up on the OKP web site.

Tagged as: Ab, Album of the Year, Danny Brown, Daru Jones, Elzhi, J Dilla, Melanie Rutherford, Monica Blaire, Mr. Porter, Okayplayer, Proof, Royce Da 5'9"