That’s right folks! We have two of the mittens finest locked in for performances at the 6th Annual Midwest Hip Hop Summit in February right here at the University of Michigan. If their names don’t ring a bell, then they certainly will by the end of this post.
Buff 1, an Ann Abor native and University of Michigan graduate, has been making noise in the underground hip hop scene for a while now. First getting his foot in the door in 2004 with longtime high school friends and b-ball team mates, collectively known as the Athletic Mic League, Buff has since taken off as a solo artist with two critically acclaimed albums under his belt, a number of successful National and European tours, and a deafening buzz spanning the nation.
His 2007 debut album, “Pure”, gained an overwhelming following and has even been labeled a classic by critics. Okayplayer exclaims “This album, my friends, is incredible…classic like thriller jackets”. Whether it’s on the political, socially conscious, or party tip, Buff’s on it all with an honesty and integrity that mainstream Hip Hop often lacks.
Check out the two videos below, “Beat the Speakers Up” and “Real Appeal”, from his stellar sophomore effort, “There’s Only One”.
Detroit’s own Black Milk is a superstar in his own right. First discovered by Baatin of Slum Village (R.I.P.), the extremely talented emcee/producer has made a name for himself both here in the states as well as overseas while following in the foot steps of the late/great J Dilla and carrying the D on his back. A juggernaut on the boards and the mic, Black Milk’s extensive list of credits spans from work by artists such as Pharoahe Monch, Busta Rhymes, Lloyd Banks, Canibus, Mary J. Blige, KRS-One, Kidz In The Hall, Buckshot, and many others.
Black Milk began his career producing a majority of Slum Village‘s post-Dilla body of work as a part of the production team, BR Gunna. However, Black didn’t gain notoriety as an emcee until his 2005 solo debut, “Sound of The City”. The album earned Black his record deal with Fat Beats, on which he also released his lauded sophomore effort, “Popular Demand” in 2007. In the wake of it’s release early in the year, XXL magazine labeled it “the first great album of 2007″.
Black has since released two albums on his own Music House label including his collaboration effort with Fat Ray, “The Set Up”, and the cross-region compilation “Caltroit” featuring including up-and-comers and west coast favorites such as Ras Kass, Planet Asia, Jake One, Stat Quo, and many more. His third solo album, “Tronic”, boasts Black’s artistic growth both as an emcee and a producer, adding the element of live instrumentation and futuristic synthesizers. Check out the videos for the two singles from the album, “Losing Out” (featuring Royce Da 5’9″) and “Give the Drummer Sum” below. Also be on the look out for the Random Axe (Sean Price/Guilty Simpson/Black Milk) album due out early next year under Duck Down Records.
If you’re a true fan of Hip Hop, then Black Milk and Buff1 are collectively the remedy you’ve been yearning for. You won’t want to miss their performances on February 5, 2010.
“Never Fall” By Buff1 featuring Black Milk
