Remembering Gift of Gab

Episode notes

(Karl Walter/Getty Images)

In this episode, we’re looking back on the life of rapper Gift of Gab. He died last month at just 50 years old. Gab was the co-founder and MC for the legendary Northern California hip-hop group Blackalicious.

If you’re a serious hip-hop head, you know Gab and Blackalicious. If you’re not, you might recognize him for the tongue-twisting track Alphabet Aerobics. He could go toe-to-toe with anyone, and he knew it. Sometimes you wonder how he managed to breathe, never mind think.

He was an incredible rapper — a virtuoso. But he was much more than that. His lyrics were insightful and thought-provoking. He was a philosopher as much as he was a battle rapper.

First, we’ll listen to a 2005 interview with Gab and DJ Chief Xcel, from back when this show was called The Sound of Young America.

Then, the Outshot: Jesse talks about what Gift of Gab meant to him, and what it’s like to lose a hero.

In this episode...

Jesse Thorn

Host

Kevin Ferguson

Senior Producer

Jesus Ambrosio

Producer

Richard Robey

Maximum Fun Producer

Daniel Huecias

Maximum Fun Production Fellow

Guests

Gift of Gab
DJ Chief Xcel

About the show

Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture.

Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney’s, which called it “the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world.” Since April 2013, the show has been distributed by NPR.

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