Black August
Killah Priest · 2003
26 min · 15 tracks · hip-hop
A reflective journey through personal and social struggles, layered with intricate lyrical storytelling and soulful beats.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Black August Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of resilience and struggle, weaving personal narrative with broader societal issues that define Killah Priest's artistry.
-
→
Excalibur — This track combines powerful imagery with a compelling narrative, showcasing Killah Priest's ability to merge mythological references with real-life experiences, reflecting his lyrical prowess.
-
→
When I'm Writing — In this introspective piece, Killah Priest delves into his creative process, offering listeners insight into the mind of an artist grappling with inspiration and self-doubt.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's lyrical complexity and thematic depth contribute to its solid standing in underground hip-hop.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of soulful samples layered under intricate, multi-syllabic rhymes that reflect personal and social themes.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word interludes, adding depth to the narrative and thematic elements of the songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective lyricism for reflection
- short bursts of impactful storytelling
- gritty beats energizing urban struggles
- early peaks driving engagement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
- seek light-hearted party tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Significant for deep social commentary and lyrical complexity, solidifying his reputation.
- Themes
- systemic injustice· personal resilience
- Career context
- By the time 'Black August' was released in January 2003, Killah Priest had already established himself as a respected voice in hip-hop, following his 1996 debut album 'Psychosocial.' This album came after his collaborations with Wu-Tang Clan members and showcased his continued evolution as an artist, steeped in conscious lyricism and storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ras Kass· Canibus· Immortal Technique
Tracklist
- 1 Intro
- 2 Black August Start here
- 3 Excalibur 3:49
- 4 When I'm Writing 3:44
- 5 Time 4:00
- 6 Robbery 4:08
- 7 Come With Me 2:45
- 8 Musifiction
- 9 Big World
- 10 The Rain
- 11 Deja Vu 3:25
- 12 Rush
- 13 Goodbye 4:34
- 14 Do You Want It
- 15 Breathe (remix)
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Illmatic
Nas
Shares deep urban storytelling and introspective lyricism with a raw, gritty production style.
The Infamous
Mobb Deep
Explores themes of struggle and resilience through dark, atmospheric beats and vivid street narratives.
Streams of Thought, Vol. 1
Black Thought
Combines personal reflection and social commentary with a soulful backdrop, echoing similar lyrical depth.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.