Video: Black Milk – “Sunday’s Best/Monday’s Worst”

Detroit Rapper Black Milk Releases Narrative Video For Two Songs From New Album

10.07.2013

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

“As many of his peers were flooding the market with instantly forgettable throwaways, Black Milk was toiling on his masterpiece.” – Washington Post

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

The Video:

This spring, Black Milk dropped the tracks “Sunday’s Best” and “Monday’s Worst” as a double single well-received by critics and the blogosphere. Now, the Detroit rapper and producer can add the title “director” to his list of skills for the video “Sunday’s Best / Monday’s Worst” alongside co-director, Gerard Victor. The video shows a boy struggling with his identity and facing the temptation of the streets, despite his upbringing. This video marks the first one where Black himself isn’t shown; he chose to use family members to represent his character.

Filmed in Detroit, “Sunday’s Best” and “Monday’s Worst” tell Black’s semi-autobiographical story of a boy named Sonny Jr., and features his signature flows and deft use of soul samples on both tracks. After a poignant shot of the actual house Black Milk grew up in, the video opens with a boy sitting in church daydreaming about how the surrounding streets of Detroit will affect his future. A brief close up of a toy gun symbolizes the influence that the street already has on Sonny. The beat switches from sharp drums over a gospel sample to a slower jam that leads with a choir singing precisely what Sonny has been doubting: “it’s never too late to get your values straight.” The lyrics now tell an older Sonny’s story, “I’m thinkin’ how can I make some dollars within the hours/It’s funny how them hunger pain to your rib/can turn a decent kid into doing a bid.” A grown version of Sonny heads out to the club and finds that it might be too late as shots are fired.

Says Black Milk, “This video means a lot to me for few different reasons. One, it was cool to have some of my family members in the video. Also, shooting footage of the house I grew up in and spent my of my life in brought back so many memories of all of the music I recorded there, from Sound of the City all the way through Tronic. It was my first time being behind the camera as well and is probably my best video yet.”

The tracks can be found on Black’s upcoming album, No Poison No Paradise, which will be released next Tuesday, October 15th. The entire album focuses on telling the story of Sonny Jr. through his dreams about his childhood and the influence that friends, money, and growing up in Detroit had on him. Fans will find the album relatable as it touches on themes of temptation, relationships, pressure to succeed and more. Musically, the album retains the hard drums and mellow synths characteristic of Black Milk’s production style while his flows and lyrical sophistication progress. Black produced on every track of the album, which he feels has “a more laid back vibe…even my vocal tone is more relaxed, calmer and darker.” Guest features include Dwele, Quelle Chris, Black Thought of The Roots, jazz pianist Robert Glasper and more.

Black Milk’s No Poison No Paradise Tour with Quelle and DJ Sober is currently underway. Check below for remaining tour dates.

Watch the video for “Sunday’s Best/Monday’s Worst” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBNpwFPVo1Y

Pre-order No Poison No Paradise on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/no-poison-no-paradise-deluxe/id690380563?ls=1

Deluxe 12″ LP: http://www.fatbeats.com/collections/pre-order/products/black-milk-no-poison-no-paradase-deluxe-vinyl-edition-2xlp

Deluxe CD: http://www.fatbeats.com/products/black-milk-no-poison-no-paradise-deluxe-cd-edition

12″ LP: http://www.fatbeats.com/products/black-milk-no-poison-no-paradise-2xlp

CD: http://www.fatbeats.com/products/black-milk-no-poison-no-paradise-cd

Tour Dates:

To purchase tickets: http://blackmilk.biz/shows/

Oct. 7 – New Orleans, LA @ Hi Ho Lounge
Oct. 9 – New York, NY @ Santos Party House
Oct. 10 – Providence, RI @ Fete
Oct. 11 – Boston, MA @ Middle East
Oct. 12 – Burlington, VT @ Signal Lounge
Oct. 13 – Montreal, CANADA @ Cabaret Underworld
Oct. 14 – Ottawa, CANADA @ Ritual
Oct. 15 – Toronto, CANADA @ Mod Club
Oct. 16 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s
Oct. 17 – Toledo, OH @ Frankies
Oct. 18 – St. Louis, MO @ Blank Space
Oct. 19 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
Oct. 20 – Iowa City, IA @ Gabe’s
Oct. 21 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
Oct. 22 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Oct. 23 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose
Oct. 24 – Washington, DC @ Liv

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

Black Milk Background:

Black Milk is a producer and rapper born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. As one of the most-celebrated auteurs of his generation of hip hop artists, he has conditioned fans and critics to always expect the unexpected each time he releases new music. 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. He has been making music professionally since 2004 and has collaborated with many noted artists including Slum Village, J Dilla, Elzhi, Phat Kat, Frank-N-Dank, Lloyd Banks, Canibus and Pharoahe Monch and Jack White of The White Stripes. In 2010 he released Album of the Year, which perfectly captured his soulful, jazzy style. He is currently putting the finishing touches on his new album, No Poison No Paradise, which is due out October 15th of this year.