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Black Up
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Black Up Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 53 Ratings

  • Summary: The Seattle-based project, including Ishmael Butler of Digable Planets, is Sub Pop's first hip-hop signing.
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Yeah You
Corny Niggas they comin for me Yellin at me Runnin at me Mink coats Pink Throats Weak quotes Blow Holes Anti-Dope Filthy notes playing part never... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. The A.V. Club
    Jun 28, 2011
    100
    A killer second act.
  2. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Jul 12, 2011
    91
    Play loud. I can't speak to the listening practices of the post-illbient beatmakers whose tricks Palaceer Lazaro gathers together and improves on like he's just been waiting for the go-ahead from Tricky himself.
  3. cokemachineglow
    Jun 28, 2011
    88
    Like on that grand finale the production on Black Up is meticulous but furtive, always pushing forward, often unwilling simply to loop. And Butler's rapping sounds perfectly at home in this sometimes chaotic environment, kicking it amidst the kinetic verve of his beats.
  4. The Guardian
    Jun 27, 2011
    80
    Black Up, their full-length debut, connects black consciousness with the dark mysteries of deep space, synthesising tribal drums, kalimba and African inflections with fragmented beats and eerie, futuristic synths.
  5. CMJ
    Jul 5, 2011
    80
    Black Up is a wild ride, but Butler's songwriting is not haphazard. To be sure, his laid-black flow channels a vibe similar to the who-cares attitude of those on the opposite side of the left-field hip-hop divide, but don't let that fool you; his music is weird, but it's also deliberate.
  6. Delusions of Adequacy
    Aug 12, 2011
    70
    Black Up is best digested as a whole rather than tune by tune.
  7. The Independent (UK)
    Jun 30, 2011
    60
    Themes of lust, power politics and rebellion are smuggled in via unusual locutions, de-synchronous beats and treated sample-loops – interesting stuff, though occasionally one yearns for a decent tune.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. dudebro
    Jun 30, 2011
    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 rootsWithout 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. maverick46
    Aug 15, 2011
    10
    awesome beats, awesome production overally, maginificent lyrics... many strong verses, music never been that cohesive. Butterfly show hisawesome beats, awesome production overally, maginificent lyrics... many strong verses, music never been that cohesive. Butterfly show his geniality to mix and connect dubstep, jazz, african ethno music, funk and hip hop to best record of the year... At this time i feel that LP is best hiphop LP ever made
    i want more shabazz next year!    … Expand
  4. Deadsarow
    Jun 28, 2011
    10
    What the hell? I am so so in to this, yet so disturbed and yet... so intrigued. Great songs. Great ambience. This is the type of stuff thatWhat the hell? I am so so in to this, yet so disturbed and yet... so intrigued. Great songs. Great ambience. This is the type of stuff that probably goes on inside the cells of LSD.… Expand
  5. knoxvox
    Aug 20, 2011
    9
    One of the year's best albums (along w/ the Weeknd's HoB & F'd Up's DCtL) and will most likely go down as a classic. Sonically awesome &One of the year's best albums (along w/ the Weeknd's HoB & F'd Up's DCtL) and will most likely go down as a classic. Sonically awesome & forward moving with coool futuristic flows that improves with each listen. Another user mentioned Outkast in his review & that was actually one of my early thoughts when I heard this album - it kinda makes me think of Stankonia but w/o the "hits" which is prbly for the best. Either way it's a really great album that deserves to be heard by more people. It's unfortunate albums like this don't get more attention (and pathetic reviews from RS don't help). Well worth your time & money.… Expand
  6. Boosemo12
    Sep 1, 2012
    9
    A groundbreaking effort in the hip-hop genre.
  7. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 29, 2022
    7
    Wonderful cosmic rap thst oozes wiith the daze of jazz and earl sweatshirt reminiscent apathetic bars. Black up is a lush call to arms, to unify.
  8. wparkers
    Dec 3, 2012
    0
    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.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.… Collapse

See all 16 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best Album of 2011
74
#74 Most Discussed Album of 2011

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