ALLBLACK - Slow Motion Better Than No Motion

On this album, which is barely thirty-six minutes and eleven seconds long, ALLBLACK imposes a strict rule on his listener: complete attention. Released on February 2, 2024, Slow Motion Better Than No Motion doesn't rely on length to showcase its ambitions, but on the raw density of fourteen tracks. The brevity becomes a tool for focus, transforming each track into a unique event. Every collaboration and every track occupies a precise place, building a narrative where conciseness serves the punchline.

The raw opening: ALLAT

The opening track, "ALLAT," immediately sets the scene without any embellishment. It opens the album like a grand entrance onto the West Coast, defining the sonic universe of the project from the very first second. This establishes the tone of the album before even the first featured artists are mentioned. "ALLAT" serves as a foundation, preparing the listener for an experience where every minute counts. The transition to the following tracks is not achieved through accumulation, but through the continuity of sustained attention.

The prestigious cast: from Frankie Lymon to Life of the Party

While the opening sets the foundation, it is the choice of voices that confirms the album's geographical grounding and prestige. On "Frankie Lymon," the presence of Big Sad 1900 adds a specific narrative element to the track with the same name, enriching the vocal texture without weighing down the main flow.

The Californian density: CRÈME BRÛLÉE and Jamal Crawford

The project's stability isn't achieved by stopping the dynamic energy, but by continuing this strategic alliance. On "CRÈME BRÛLÉE", LaRussell brings her unique voice and style to the title track, maintaining the high quality established previously. The album maintains its momentum with "Jamal Crawford", where Maka contributes to the atmosphere of the track about a basketball player, adding a narrative element related to sports that resonates with the urban themes explored. These intermediate tracks demonstrate how the album uses its collaborations to diversify its approach while remaining true to its West Coast identity. Each featured artist is a carefully chosen addition that enriches the album without overwhelming it, creating a logical progression through the tracklist.

The strategic conclusion: from intermediate flow to Tema

The end of the album deserves particular attention, as it must conclude the experience on a memorable note. The final track, "Tema", closes the album with a vocal presence that seals the encounter. The placement of this track as the last on the list of fourteen songs ensures that it remains etched in memory after listening. This structure, where the opening track is "ALLAT" and the final track is "Tema", perfectly frames the project in a symmetrical and intentional way.

The result of focused listening: conciseness and mixing

D'Andre Sams, who performs under the professional name ALLBLACK, has had a steadily rising career marked by consistent output and a clear stylistic evolution. Born on March 21, 1992, the artist grew up in East Oakland before spending time in Santa Barbara and Atlanta between 2011 and 2015, a period that shaped his unique approach to rap, blending influences from the Bay Area and the rhythm of Detroit. He has already released a rich discography, including the projects Outcalls (2018), Born to Score (2023) and the EP KimSon in 2017, the latter marking a crucial turning point towards regional recognition in the San Francisco Bay Area. The brevity of the album contrasts with the longevity of the artist, whose journey demonstrates consistency since his unplanned entry into hip-hop as a hype man for Kossisko in January 2013. The choice of the Saverz Music Group label reinforces this Californian connection while opening doors to prestigious collaborations that transcend geographical boundaries. The tracklist reveals an eclectic cast of artists, with each featured artist bringing a specific color to the album's sonic palette, thus confirming ALLBLACK's status as an important point of convergence in the West Coast scene. The intermediate tracks, such as "JDUBB FLOW," "C Room," or "SAVERZ UNIVERSITY," reflect a desire to deepen the message without making the listening experience heavy, creating a narrative coherence that unites all fourteen tracks. This work rewards the listener for their engagement in a short format, where every second counts, and where the raw but polished production highlights Sams' distinctive flows, which tell the story of his past experiences related to hustling and street life in Oakland. Ultimately, Slow Motion Better Than No Motion proves to be a rewarding experience for the listener thanks to its balanced mix and concise length, which promotes complete attention. The production offers a raw but polished sonic base that highlights ALLBLACK's flows. The mixes allow the featured artists to stand out without overshadowing the main vocals, creating a project where each collaboration finds its place. The total length of 36 minutes and 11 seconds balances the potential dilution of a large number of tracks with a strong narrative density. The album fits between ROUND 1 (2024) and SAM'S CLUB (2025) as an essential link, rewarding those who are willing to immerse themselves in this compact format.

Technical specifications

- Release date : February 2, 2024 - Label : Saverz Music Group - Tracks : 14 (36 minutes 11 seconds) - Opening / closing : ALLAT / Tema - Guest artists : Big Sad 1900, Waka Flocka Flame, Cash Kidd, E-40, LaRussell, Maka, Frisco Baby