A2G

The relatively brief form of the EP really suited Blackalicious, as they followed up the scorching Melodica with A2G, an opportunity for Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel to stunt on an unlikely topic — the alphabet. On the opening and closing tracks, Gab masterfully creates rhymes in which every word begins with the same letter. Opener “A2G” is a relatively laid-back affair, Gab politely taking the listener on an alphabetical journey through a couple of different flows, with Xcel concluding the proceedings cutting in sample of various rappers saying the phrase “Gift of Gab” on other songs for the concluding section. Alphabet Aerobics, on the other hand, is nothing less than a workout, with Gab marauding through the alphabet over a minimal beat by Cut Chemist that steadily pushes the tempo upward, until you can scarcely believe what you are hearing.