Video: Black Milk – “What It’s Worth”

Accompanying the Release of His Latest Album, Detroit Rapper/Producer Bares Soul In Introspective Visual, Premiere via Complex

10.29.2014

Critical Praise for Black Milk:

“Black Milk’s solo career represents a constant cycle of adopting and mastering new production styles and then abandoning them before they become crutches.” – Pitchfork

“His samples are elegant, his rhythms challenging and his drum kits tight.” – NPR

“Cross has no need for these extras; in his world of soul-tugging productions and machinegun-as-velvet delivery they are merely distractions. On this realization, and in the moment, it was hard not be floored by the obvious: this is what talent with genuine poise really looks and sounds like.” – Dallas Observer

“Striking an impressive balance between being rehearsed and spontaneous, he proved his chops as a multitalented artist once again.” – Okayplayer

“It feels like Christmas every time Black Milk blesses us with a new record.” – FreeOnSmash

The Video:

Accompanying the release of his 5th solo album, critically acclaimed rapper/producer Black Milk drops visuals for his previously released single, “What It’s Worth.” The video premiered via Complex and features Black baring his soul alone in a dimly lit room. He is illuminated by red and blue strobes as he spits lines about the overall value of his accomplishments and what goals he wishes to achieve in the future. In speaking about the track Black asserts “Everyone asks themselves this question at one point or another about life in general: What does it all mean? Some people have the answers, some don’t,” adding that, “This song represents me figuring out the value of everything I’ve accomplished and the things I still want to accomplish in this lifetime.” Okayplayer reviewed the release stating that its “a groove that’s so drenched in the truest of true-school textures gets a deeply contemplative clip that’ll have you pondering in no time at all,” and advocates that Black is “already cemented atop the cream of this year’s crop with his absolutely stellar If There’s A Hell Below LP.”

If There’s A Hell Below became available for stream in its entirety last week via the New York Times and released yesterday on his own Computer Ugly label. The album is available in vinyl, CD, and digital formats and can be purchased on iTunes and Bandcamp. The release received rave reviews including Pitchfork who claims “The music on Hell Below is one big wistful wash of sound, unified, but full of idiosyncrasies.” The Boombox adds that Black is “at the forefront of innovation.” If There’s A Hell Below includes first-time collaborations with Blu, Bun B, and Pete Rock, in addition to appearances from past cohorts Random Axe, Ab, and Mel. The album features the recently released, hard-hitting single “Scum,” a reunion of the Random Axe crew (Black, Sean Price, Guilty Simpson) each spitting their own 16 bars of brilliance.

Read the Complex premiere: http://www.complex.com/music/2014/10/black-milk-what-its-worth-video

Watch “What It’s Worth”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL5G-Kal7FQ

Stream and purchase digital and physical versions of If There’s A Hell Below: https://blackmilk.bandcamp.com/album/if-theres-a-hell-below

Purchase the album on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/if-theres-a-hell-below/id917026740

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If There’s A Hell Below tracklist:

01. Everyday Was (ft. Mel)
02. What It’s Worth
03. Leave the Bones Behind (ft. Blu & Ab)
04. Quarter Water (ft. Pete Rock)
05. Hell Below (ft. Gene Obey)
06. Detroit’s New Dance Show
07. Story and Her
08. All Mighty
09. Scum (ft. Random Axe)
10. Gold Piece (ft. Bun B)
11. Grey For Summer
12. Up & Out

Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Black Milk.

Black Milk Background:

As one of the most celebrated producers and rappers of his generation of hip-hop artists, Black Milk has conditioned fans and critics to expect the unexpected with each release. Few producers have earned the notoriety and respect he has as a musician, and when that is coupled with commanding talent as an emcee, it’s no surprise that his solo releases are met with exalted anticipation. His new full-length album, If There’s A Hell Below, continues Black’s trend of releasing material that maintains his signature sound while pushing it into new territory.

With more than a decade of industry experience and a rich catalog of recordings, Black Milk has transitioned from one of hip-hop’s young rising stars to a veteran with a uniquely well-rounded pedigree. After scoring his first production credit for Slum Village as a teenager in 2002, he eventually worked closely with the group and co-produced much of their two following albums. His self-released, full-length project Sound of the City (2005) led to his first record deal, and he began to gain international attention for the soul-sample driven style on his proper solo debut Popular Demand (2007). With five solo rap albums (Popular Demand, Tronic, Album of the Year, No Poison No Paradise and Glitches In The Break), an instrumental album (Synth or Soul), numerous collaboration albums (Caltroit with Bishop Lamont, The Set Up with Fat Ray, Black and Brown with Danny Brown, Random Axe with Sean Price and Guilty Simpson and Burning Stones with Mel), and 2 singles with Jack White behind him, Black Milk remains one of hip-hop’s most consistent artists.