Originally released May 15, 2000
Reissued March 31, 2023
Rhymesayers
2xLP
Between the relatively innocuous release of KMD's Mr. Hood and MF DOOM's emergence sits Bl_ck B_s_rts, the missing link in one of music's great metamorphoses, and a record shrouded in darkness. On Mr. Hood, the Dumile brothers' (Daniel and Dingilizwe — Zev Love X/MF DOOM and DJ Subroc, respectively) approached their observational raps with lighthearted humour. Bl_ck B_st_rds, by turn, tackles the largely same themes with cartoonish sardonicism that borders on sinister. While still playing the part of wizened comedians, there was real anger, true pain their humour. The punchlines hurt a bit more. Before it's completion, DJ Subroc was struck and killed by a car. Zev Love went into hiding, cocooned himself in a studio with tapes of old cartoons and records, and finished Bl_ck B_st_rds with the ghost of his brother. It was then shelved by Elektra due to it's incendiary cover art. By the time it was released in 2001, Zev Love X had abandoned his former name, adopted a visage and changed the course of hip hop. THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is how you become a super villain.