Blackalicious

Blackalicious is a hip hop group from Sacramento, United States, active from 1992 to 2021. The duo consists of Gift of Gab, the stage name of Tim Parker, and Chief Xcel, also known as Xavier Mosley. They meet at John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento in 1987 and form the group in early 1992.

Early releases and Solesides

The group’s first recording is “Swan Lake”, released on Solesides Records. Blackalicious is part of the Solesides Crew, alongside friends they know through the University of California, Davis, including DJ Shadow, Lyrics Born and Lateef the Truth Speaker. “Swan Lake” becomes an underground hit, although label problems stop the group from building on that early attention straight away.

Albums and label changes

In late 1997, Solesides becomes Quannum Projects. Blackalicious then releases the A2G EP in 1999, which leads into their debut full-length album, Nia, issued the following year. They later sign to MCA Records and release Blazing Arrow in 2002. The album receives critical acclaim. Their third full-length album, The Craft, appears on the ANTI- imprint of Epitaph Records.

Solo work

In May 2004, Gift of Gab releases his first solo album, 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up, while stating that Blackalicious remains active.