Is Blakroc a good place to start with The Black Keys?

Yes, Blakroc is recommended as a starting point for new The Black Keys listeners. A gritty fusion of blues rock and hip-hop, where raw guitar riffs meet smooth rap verses in a unique sonic collaboration. Released in early 2009, Blakroc marked a significant departure for The Black Keys as it was their first collaborative project with hip-hop artists. This album followed their commercial breakthrough with Attack & Release (2008), showcasing their versatility and willingness to experiment beyond traditional blues rock.

Blakroc works well if you're into steady groove for social gatherings, gritty energy for road trips and raw instrumentation with lyrical bite.

How many songs are on Blakroc?

Blakroc has 11 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Blakroc

The Black Keys · 2009

37 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A gritty fusion of blues rock and hip-hop, where raw guitar riffs meet smooth rap verses in a unique sonic collaboration.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Coochie Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo) — This track embodies the album's spirit with its infectious groove, blending soulful melodies with sharp guitar riffs that highlight the chemistry between The Black Keys and their featured artists.
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Dollaz and Sense — Featuring a standout verse from rapper Jim Jones, this track highlights the seamless integration of rock instrumentation with hip-hop lyricism, exemplifying the album's innovative sound.
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Hard Times — The song’s rhythmic drive and catchy chorus encapsulate the album's energy, making it a memorable anthem that resonates across genres.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends rock and hip-hop elements, showcasing strong collaborations while maintaining a unique sound.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent interplay between live instrumentation and sampled beats, with guitar riffs often leading into verses from various rappers.
Each track typically alternates between sung choruses and rapped verses, creating a dynamic flow that shifts the listener's focus throughout.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, particularly in transitions between sections, which adds to the album's gritty feel.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

steady groove for social gatherings
gritty energy for road trips
raw instrumentation with lyrical bite
short tracks for quick enjoyment
consistent flow with dynamic peaks

Maybe skip if you

prefer polished studio productions
seek lengthy, meditative experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — First collaboration with hip-hop artists, marking a departure from their established sound.
Themes: blues-infused hip-hop· gritty urban narratives· collaborative creativity
Career context: Released in early 2009, Blakroc marked a significant departure for The Black Keys as it was their first collaborative project with hip-hop artists. This album followed their commercial breakthrough with Attack & Release (2008), showcasing their versatility and willingness to experiment beyond traditional blues rock.
Stylistic neighbors: The White Stripes· Royal Blood· Jack White