Nature Sounds Releases “Alchemy,” the New Single by GIFT OF GAB

When Gift of Gab tragically passed away on June 18, 2021, his death reverberated throughout the music world with fans and fellow musicians alike mourning his loss. The upcoming release of his posthumous album Finding Inspiration Somehow (Nature Sounds; release date September 10, 2021) continues his musical legacy with new music that was originally planned for release earlier this summer. Today, HipHopDXpremieres his latest single “Alchemy” which they describe “quickly erupts into an explosive burst of lyrical gymnastics, with the late MC reflecting on living with kidney failure and his fierce determination to overcome his health challenges.” “Alchemy” finds Gab delivering verses at his trademark breakneck pace atop a jazz-inflected musical bed. Finding Inspiration Somehow can be pre-ordered at www.naturesoundsmusic.com.

Last month, the album’s first single “Vice Grip” was greeted by the media with open arms with Rolling Stone quipping, “‘Vice Grip’ finds Gift of Gab at his loquacious best, rolling over a booming beat.” Stereogum praised, “we hear the Gift Of Gab flexing his insane technical skills, wrapping up all sorts of internal rhymes in a relentlessly energetic and locked-in delivery… the beat has a chattering funkiness that suits Gab’s flow beautifully.” UPROXX adds, “he again puts on a breathless display of vocal virtuosity over a rollicking beat.” HipHopDX extolled his dexterity, saying the track “finds Gift of Gab commanding the microphone as he’s done a thousand times before — but this time, the pure voraciousness in his voice proves he was hungrier than ever.”

Finding Inspiration Somehow captures Gift of Gab at his formidable best, spitting out verses with unmatched dexterity. From the launch of “Slaughtah Dem (Godly)” featuring reggae artist Windstrong to “You Gon’ Make It In The End” featuring Lateef and Lifesava’s Vursatyl, Gab’s lyrical agility is on full display, weaving intricate wordplay with the precision of a surgeon. While rhythm and swiftness are Gab’s signatures, songs like the funk-styled “Breathe In” and atmospheric closing track “Back To The Light” featuring Canadians Justin Brave and Ashleigh Eymann showcase the diversity of Gab’s musical palette, exploring the different textures and flavors that color this album.

Praised by All Music Guide as “one of the very finest MCs to ever pick up a microphone” and Pitchfork for his “astonishing verbal dexterity and enunciation,” Gift of Gab was best known for being one half of the Bay Area’s celebrated hip-hop duo Blackalicious which was part of the influential and celebrated crew Quannum that included brothers Lyrics Born, Lateef the Truthspeaker, DJ Shadow, and Lifesavas. A force of nature whose phenomenal lyrical flow was matched by his lyrical speed and precision, Gab was a beloved artist not only within the San Francisco Bay Area, but within the music pantheon that extended far beyond the rap world. A genial and peaceful soul, he was embraced for not only his art but for his heart as well.

“Alchemy” is released today via Nature Sounds Records. Gift of Gab’s posthumous album Finding Inspiration Somehow will be released on September 10, 2021 and is available for pre-order at https://www.naturesoundsmusic.com/.

Track Listing:
01 Intro
02 Slaughtah Dem (Godly) feat. Windstrong
03 Going Farther
04 The Gentrification Song (Remix)
05 You Gon Make It In The End feat. Vursatyl and Lateef The Truthspeaker
06 Vice Grip
07 The World Without Money feat. Sh8peshifter
08 Alchemy
09 Enter The Dragon feat. Joyo Velarde
10 A Weekend In Venice
11 The Idea Of America
12 Breathe In feat. Omega Rae Brooks
13 Back To The Light feat. Justin Brave and Ashleigh Eymann

Featured Image: Gift of Gab (Credit Nicole Mago)

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.