Black Up - Shabazz Palaces
Black Up Image
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

  • Summary: The Seattle-based project, including Ishmael Butler of Digable Planets, is Sub Pop's first hip-hop signing.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 36
  2. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Jun 28, 2011
    100
    A killer second act.
  2. Aug 1, 2011
    80
    While some of Black Up isn't a million miles from his former group's darker corners, it's not particularly like much else. It's all present tense, in a way too little is, and brash, bold, and weird about it. Per one of his more baffling lines: "up, or don't toss it at all."
  3. Nov 22, 2011
    80
    In the category of great rap reinventions, file it next to Daniel Dumile's post-KMD rebirth as MF Doom and Ultramagnetic's MC Kool Keith re-training as Dr. Octagon. [Aug. 2011, p. 94]
  4. Aug 12, 2011
    60
    There's a lingering sense of calculation to their weirdness, the feeling that this is someone's specific idea of what next-level hiphop is supposed to sound like and not the type of batshit creativity bursts that can lead to truly transcendent experimental hiphop.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14
  1. 10
    Without any hype or press, Ish puts out the best hip-hop album of 2011. The production is crazy. It sounds kinda wonky with maybe some roots in dubstep, but ultimately it sounds like nothing else out there. It's a smart and contemplative album all being spat out from a likable and charismatic MC who doesn't even gather the spotlight because all of the elements just fit so well. This is a album for hip-hop enthusiasts, electronic music enthusiasts and all music enthusiasts that are open for experimentation and a possibly mind altering experience. Expand
  2. A breath of fresh air into the realm of hip hop. This album is not only one of the most original hip hop albums released in the past decade, but possibly the best overall album of the year. These songs contain immense layers and constantly take unexpected turns, resulting in a stimulating listening experience even after repeated listens. Don't be surprised if this is on every music blog's top 5 list come December. Expand
  3. If you want hooks or beats, look somewhere else. Interesting stuff, but also preachy without a well-communicated message...not a great combination. This is not the kind of hip-hop you play at parties or blast out your car stereo, it's for sitting down with a joint and a good pair of headphones. Expand
  4. I'm a big hip hop head and I bought this album because it was recommended at a local cd store. To put it nicely, I found it relatively awful. It would be a stretch to say I really liked any of the songs on the album. Simply making noise doesn't count for music in my book. Complete waste of money. Expand

See all 14 User Reviews

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