Blaq Poet Announces Official Album Release Date, Gives Fans Early Glimpse Into Tha Blaqprint

Blaq Poet And Year Round Records Release Album Sampler In Anticipation Of June 30 Release Date

Anticipation for Blaq Poet’s Tha Blaqprint has been bubbling for a minute. First, Poet dropped the single; then came the video, bringing the visuals to match. Next came the EPK, and now Blaq Poet, in conjunction with DJ Premier and Year Round Records are proud to bring you Tha Blaqprint Album Sampler. Totaling 21 minutes and 15 tracks, Tha Blaqprint album sampler cuts from track-to-track giving fans a taste of what to expect when the full-length drops on June 30.

The sampler, which includes the fan favorites “Ain’t Nuttin’ Changed,” “Voices,” and the recently-circulating “Hate” featuring fellow Queensbridge native N.O.R.E., is full of the gritty, New York boom-bap sound that fans have grown to know, love, and expect from a Blaq Poet album. Musically, the one-and-only DJ Premier, who produced all but two tracks on the album, is responsible for providing that sound, and throughout listening to the sampler it becomes clear that neither Poet nor Premo have disappointed. Tha Blaqprint will be available June 30 via Year Round Records via Fat Beats Distribution.

Tha Blaqprint Album Sampler:

The Background:

Blaq Poet, a Queensbridge, NY native, first made a name for himself in 1987, entering his name into the legendary battle of Queens vs. The Bronx with his song “Beat You Down,” a scathing attack on KRS-One. Later, honoring a dead friend and namesake, he formed the hardcore rap group Screwball, comprised of other QB spitters Hostyle, Solo, and Poet’s cousin KL. Elsewhere, he appeared on the anthemic LP Nas Presents Queensbridge’s Finest, alongside Jungle and Cormega on “Straight Outta Q.B.” Blaq Poet’s refusal to dilute his subject matter or soften his cadence attracted the interest of rap’s most legendary producer, DJ Premier. Preemo, along with fellow luminaries Pete Rock and Marley Marl, laced Screwball’s Y2K album with Poet’s beloved boom-bap. A second album, Loyalty, would follow the next year, thereafter the Screwed Up compilation in 2004. Premier also lent his sonic signature to Poet’s 2006 solid solo debut, Rewind: Deja Screw. Preemo then inked Blaq Poet to his own Year Round Records label. Blaq Poet’s new album, Tha Blaqprint, will be available this spring via Year Round Records via Fat Beats Distribution.