DJ Def Chad - The Black Holocaust (BSOG0035, 2014)

Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to present to you The Black Holocaust, the incredible debut album by Pittsburgh artist, DJ Def Chad.

This may be DJ Def Chad’s debut album, however he’s not new to this hip-hop thing. He began his musical journey back in Homewood, PA and released music as part of groups along the way. In the mid-80’s he joined up with Tuffy Tuf, hype man/dancer Sodda Pop Kid and split DJ duties with DJ Nick Nice. They toured, opened for the likes of De La Soul, Eric B & Rakim, Shabba Ranks & Fu-Schnickens and eventually released an EP called Strictly 4 De Boomin System through Pittsburgh label Unity Records. They disbanded shortly thereafter.

Later, Chad formed his company TeePee Records and eventually started a group with him trying his hand at rhyming, PGB (Poets Gettin By). In 2001 they independently released Ice Burgh. That led to him meeting C-Doc who invited him to join The Impossebulls, the world’s first virtual rapp squad, who you’ve gotten to know here at blocSonic.

After guest appearances on C-Doc’s Divided We Stand he was inspired to use his life experiences to bring you his own brand of hip-hop… or “Grown Folks Music”. A gift to you and anyone who cares to listen from an aging B-Boy that will never slow down.

It’s a pleasure for me to bring to you an album that, in a less artificially manipulated musical mainstream, could easily be released by a major label and find itself among the great albums in hip-hop. Not to say that the mainstream sets the standard for quality, but to say that this album could easily garner the attention of a majority of the hip-hop audience and catch fire. I know, I know… you’re saying to yourself… “you’re the guy who runs blocSonic and this album is being released here, so yeah, yeah… whatever dude… you’re just hyping it up because that’s what you do.” Maybe you’re right… though I think you might seriously find yourself singing the praises of this album after the first listen… and the next listen… and the next… DJ Def Chad’s The Black Holocaust is really, in my humble opinion… that GOOD.

From Chad’s experienced lyrical flow to C-Doc’s production and lyrical skill… top to bottom, this album was crafted with a high degree of care and attention to detail. On top of all that, you’ve got an impressive group of collaborators — Chuck D, CM aka Creative, Jamod Allah, Low Flow, Kamillion, Marcus J, Mock 3, Shawn Franklin, Tirade, Villian151, Dre’ Leez and of course Chad’s children Shanae, Nakia, and Jasmine who make their recording debut on one of the album’s standouts, “Cain”.

I could go on and on about what I like about it and which tracks stand out to me and why, but I’ll leave that to the reviewers among you. I’ll reiterate, though, that this album will make it’s place in your personal pantheon of great hip-hop albums. I don’t say that lightly. From beginning to end, this album is solid through and through. It’s a cohesive ALBUM, in every sense of the word. If you are a reviewer, I invite you to please help spread the word. We’ll let everyone know about your review and where they can read it.

Thanks to everyone involved in making this such a special release — DJ Def Chad, C-Doc and all the collaborators mentioned above. Thanks to C. Michael for the photos.

Of course, thanks once again to you for downloading & listening. We always strive to deliver the music you’ll love. Please spread the word about blocSonic, if you enjoy what we do. Remember… everything we release is cool to share! Always keep the music moving… share it… blog it… podcast it! If you’re in radio… support independent music and broadcast it!.