By Tai Saint Louis
West Coast rap mainstays Kurupt and DJ Quik are prepping the release of what will be the eighth non-group release for each.
The new project, titled The Blaqkout is set to hit stores June 9 via Quik’s Fontana/Universal distributed imprint, Mad Science Recordings.
With Quik handling all production duties on the LP, the two artists were able to create an album truly representative of their home state and musical backgrounds.
“Kurupt does in rap what I do in music,” DJ Quik explained of the partnership, which was conceptualized while both contributed to Snoop Dogg’s album Ego Trippin’.
“It just made sense. Kurupt is a gangster rapper in the sense of being raw, bare-bones and uncut," Quik continued. "I wanted to do music that evoked certain feelings and could show his microphone superiority.”
Leading up to the release of the album, which features a rare appearance by Cali’s female pioneer Yo Yo, two singles will be released digitally.
The first, “Hey Playa (Moroccan Blues),” which finds DJ Quik flexing his production muscle with a North African inspired track, is beginning to garner radio spins.
The follow up single, “What Cha Wan Do” is already receiving the support of club and mixshow DJs.
The week of The Blaqkout’s release, Kurupt and DJ Quik will embark on a 30-day tour, bringing the California experience to audiences across the country through July 4.
Kurupt is also currently working on his next solo LP, Street Lights, due out later this year.