by Yours Truly – San Francisco, CA
Daru Jones
I’ve experienced great turn-outs for shows and release parties for previous projects, but this Album of the Year go-around was a brand new experience. This time, it was more than just performing in front of large groups of people. There was a different energy in the air for these shows, a whole new vibe, a different high. I’ve been able to sell out large capacity venues over seas, but to get these turn-outs in the States shows that my five-year hustle since Sound of the City is really paying off.
The Detroit show, specifically, was something I’ve never experienced anywhere in the world, at any point in my entire career. To see 800 people come out to St. Andrews and show their support is a pretty big deal to me. That night was so special that I feel like it made people realize how far from dead the Detroit hip-hop scene is. I am proud to be a part of something great for my city.
All the love from fans who let me know they’re feeling the album and from those who came out to the various release parties (NY, San Francisco, Detroit and LA) has definitely given me even more inspiration to keep creating and to keep creating music that is honest and true to me. I can’t say “thank you” enough.
Here is a performance video of me, AB, Daru and Malik killing The Roxy for the AOTY release party in LA (lol) and rehearsal/show footage and photos from the Detroit release party.
LA Album of the Year Release Party: “Black and Brown” and “So Gone” at The Roxy
Video by Charles Yi / Video and editing by Daylan Williams.
Detroit Album of the Year Release Party: From Rehearsal to the Show
Video and editing by The Work.
Detroit Album of the Year Release Party Photos
Photos by Patrick Daly.
Black Milk, Detroit boutique store Burn Rubber and designer Upendo Taylor have teamed up to bring you the official ‘Album of the Year’ tee. This limited edition tee will be sold exclusively online at Blackmilk.biz, at Burn Rubber and at shows throughout Black’s upcoming European tour. The press and fans have been raving about Black’s live show with AB and Daru, so Europe is in for a real treat. Tour kicks off in Copenhagen on October 14. Full tour schedule below.
Album of the Year Europe Tour Dates
10/14/10 Copenhagen, Denmark
10/15/10 Oslo, Norway
View All Tour Dates
Black Milk rocked the house last night at Southpaw for the first of three scheduled Album of the Year release parties. Starting the night off right was DJ Spinna and opening for Black were fellow Detroit heavy hitters, Elzhi and Guilty Simpson, and NY’s own Sean Price. Drummer Daru Jones, keyboardist/singer AB and bassist Malik joined Black on stage to put forth an amazing performance that led spectators to tweet that “Southpaw might have had the best hip hop show of the entire year” and that Black was “killing Southpaw.”
Photos by Mr. Mass
As if that wasn’t enough, Black was joined on stage by Pharoahe Monch and Sean P for their first unified performance of “The Matrix”; by Elzhi for their first live performance of “Deadly Medley”; and by Guilty Simpson for “Sound the Alarm.” Roc Marciano also joined Sean P on stage for “Snow”. Numerous other hip-hop heavy hitters were in attendance including Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Rah Digga (whose album Classic dropped the same day) and Jay Electronica, who Black brought on stage to briefly address the crowd at the end of the show. Needless to say, it was an epic night for those lucky enough to witness it.
“Deadly Medley” with Elzhi
