Bringin Back That That Ol' Boom Bap

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

Blaq Poet - Aint Nuttin Changed

MORE: You may occasionally catch yourself imagining what it would be like to be a rapper for a day. Well, Blaq Poet, with the release of his new album, Tha Blaqprint on the way, is taking some time out to give fans an inside glimpse into his life with Tha Blaqprint EPK. The video follows Blaq Poet as he and DJ Premier are interviewed by the legendry DJ Tony Touch on Shade45, and during the interview Poet and Preemo speak on the upcoming album, the squashing of Poet’s long-held beef with KRS-One, and more.