The Blakroc lyrics  shouldn’t be overlooked. Much has been made of the personalities and collaboration between The Black Keys musicianship and the singular hip hop attitude on this project.

Let’s not forget some of the finest MCs were asked to provide spontaneous verses, a reaction to the vibe and music they heard, often on the same day as they recorded. Under the pressure of video cameras, armed only with their Blackberry, notepad and pen, and/or bottle of Hennessy’s and medicinal smoked herbs, they had to deliver to meet the constraints of the recording sessions.

See all the webisodes showing the artists working in the studio here.

As Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys recently commented:

He [Raekwon] was sorta what I imagined watching Bob Dylan work in his prime would be like. Raekwon came in, heard the music, got inspired and just sat down and started writing. He wrote like 20 verses, just like that, in 45 minutes. And everything that he says is so visual, such a story. His rhyme schemes are just insane.

Help decipher and transcribe Raekwon’s rhymes with other fans in this Black Keys Fan Lounge Forum topic.

The best collection Blakroc lyrics is over here. No sign of ‘Keep off The Fuckin Flowers’ yet though.

Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo) featuring Mos Def, Jim Jones and The Black Keys

Intro: Mos Def – Pure heart/ I love you

Chorus: Mos Def – Pure heart/ You’re super cool/ You’re live and elemental/ You’re sweet and you’re true/ Youre sooo true/ Oo-ooo-oo-ooo/ You’re plain and yet so special/ Its nuttin’ like you/ You’re so cool/ You’re sweet and rude/ You’re so plain that its special/ Its nuttin’ like you/ Well aww hoo/ oo-oooo-oo-ooo/ You make me stand up, and holla do the hoochie coo/ You’re so cool

Verse 1: Jim Jones – They told me pain only shows you where you goin/ You get to laugh then that shows you where you been/ And when you get the cash that only shows you how to sin like when you gettin fast money and you blow it in the wind/ Where we from success one in a million/ We thought success was getting money in front the buildin/ End of the summer we was countin up the killins, like they killed baby boy trynna run up in the buildin now/ Love/ I bouged one of her rose petals/ She was from the concrete and came up out the cold ghetto/ But so gentle/ But it appears like, on a clear light it could thunderstorm/ Want some more

Refrain: Mos Def – Oo-ooo-oo-ooo/ Pure heart/ I love ya, pure heart/ Pure heart/ Uh-ooo-oo-ooo/ Ha, its nuttin’ like you/ You’re soo/ Do-doo-do-doo/ You’re live and elemental/ You’re sweet and you’re rude, so cool/ And fiery too/ You’re plain and elemental/ You’re sweet and youre rude/ You’re soo true

Verse 2: Jim Jones – Most say I’m politically incorrect/ But most people scared they spit it so indirect/ I been accused of, same thing as you but, I refused ta, follow rules of who/ The complexion of politics done changed and the computer glitch put so many problems up in the game that uh/ I prolly still be selllin ‘caine if I, didnt get a chance at the stardom or the fame/ Bein humble is a hard quality to achieve when your ego is crazy with no modesty/ We make good music just usin the black keys, and Im flyin through the hood in my newest of black Vs/ Peace

Outro: Mos Def – Wahoo-oo-ooo/ You’re plain and elemental/ Aint nuttin’ like you/ You’re pure heart

Related posts:

1. Blakroc: Live Performances
2. Blakroc: The Black Keys and Blakroc
3. Blakroc: Official Video of ‘Aint Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)’ featuring Mos Def, Jim Jones and The Black Keys

Blakroc just keeps on giving. Check out the official video (below) to ‘Aint Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)’, the lead single from the album.

This track seems to sum up what the Blakroc is all about – simple, real, effective without (thankfully) cliche. Jim Jones rhymes, Mos Def provides the spirit while Dan Auerbach hollers background vocals and the music is distinctively The Black Keys.

Rest assurred you are going to be hearing and seeing alot more of this track in the coming months. Not long now til the album drops on November 27, 2009.

Jonah Schwartz’s video production is so slick as usual. For those familiar with the weekly webisodes released via the Blakroc.com website, much of the footage will not be new, but coherently edited here with the song and it takes on a new life. The rich light brown tones of the footage give the production a warmth and distinctive look.

The opening frames set the scene as distinctively New York, where the album was recorded. The emphasis on the analogue recording equipment and musicianship provides background to what is being achieved. Finally, you’re left with the fraternity of the artists in creating something new, original and inspired.

Related posts:

1. The Black Keys, Jim Jones, Mos Def Recording Together?
2. Blakroc: Listen to Dollaz and Sense single featuring RZA, Pharoahe Monch and The Black Keys
3. Interview: Jonah Schwartz – Blakroc Videographer

Maybe the reason why The Black Keys aren’t on Twitter is because they don’t need to be since everyone else is and will report on what they are up to.

Pitchfork reports rapper Jim Jones tweeting:

“I’m on my way to me the black keys a new rock n roll group then summer jam rehearsal lg.”
“Aight back to our reg schedule I did some dope music with black keys and mos def last night def a good rock n roll experience.”

Black Keys fans shouldn’t be so surprised. Dan and Pat are big hip hop fans. Witness:

• The Black Keys have been inspired by the Wu-Tang Clan since before the band began
• Attack and Release was of course produced by hip-hop raconteur Danger Mouse
• Pat has indicated he would love to work with The RZA
• The Black Keys have interviewed The GZA recently
• There’s even a Jay Z vs The Black Keys mp3 going around
• The Black Keys are playing by invitation at The Roots Picnic. Fingers crossed for a drum battle with Questlove.

What’s probably most surprising is that Jim Jones thinks that The Black Keys are “a new rock n roll group”.

All this talk of these collaborations certainly bodes well for an interesting new Black Keys album which will go into production in a few months. Considering how much interest and media was generated by these two comments, The Black Keys look set to surge on a new wave of interest in their music when that album is released.

Related posts:

1. Blakroc: Official Video of ‘Aint Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)’ featuring Mos Def, Jim Jones and The Black Keys
2. Blakroc: The Black Keys and Blakroc
3. Blakroc: Live Performances