Black Milk + Nat Turner x Quelle Chris Live In SF [Photos + Recap]

You already knew Black Milk had the best live band in hip-hop (after the Legendary You-Know-Who) but the Detroit double threat is out to prove it once again, with fellow Detroit nationalist Quelle Chris holding down the sidecar and a band so tuff they're called Nat Turner. As Milk's No Poison No Paradise tour gets to bubbling, Okayplayer's Ashleigh Reddy (photos) and Isa Nakazawawere on hand to witness the crew bring the fervent atmosphere of a storefront church to SF's Brick & Mortar Music Hall on one of their first tour stops. Read on and click through the photo gallery above so you know how to act when Nat Turner comes to your town:

If hip-hop is dead then the No Poison No Paradise tour is raising ghosts from their graves. With the imminent release of Black Milk’s highly anticipated full-length album No Poison No Paradise, Detroit’s finest is back on the road accompanied by live band Nat Turner (Aaron “Ab” Abernathy on keys and vocals, Malik Hunter on bass, Z Horton on drums and Bill Sharp as DJ) and special guests Quelle Chris and DJ Sober.

Last Saturday, the tour rocked to a fever pitch at San Francisco’s intimate Brick & Mortar Music Hall. The opening lineup showcased local talent with performances by Oakland natives League510 and LA’s own, Cise. DJ Sober warmed up the crowd with a quality selection of party joints keeping it live for Quelle. Fitted in a snug Cosby sweater, polka-dot shorts and seriously studded kicks, Quelle brought a charismatic and playful attitude that is largely absent from today’s independent hip-hop scene. Unlike the usual sausage fest of self-serious cult fans, the audience was notably diverse and exceptionally friendly.

As a master conductor and seasoned performer, Black Milk harnessed the raw energy from Quelle’s set and rocked the spot like an old school house party. Striking an impressive balance between being rehearsed and spontaneous, he proved his chops as a multitalented artist once again. The chemistry between Black Milk and Nat Turner was palpable even in the face of sustained technical difficulty. Whether they took the crowd to church with Aaron’s soulful runs or brought back the hard bass drum and snapping snare of boom bap, Black Milk and Nat Turner had something for everyone. After an electrifying set that included both new joints like “Sunday’s Best/Monday’s Worst” and classic throwbacks like “Losing Out,” Black Milk closed the night with two encores to satiate the audience’s appetite.

        One thing is certain: hip-hop is alive and in the hands of brilliant artists who are both preserving its cultural tradition and bursting open the boundaries of its definition. The No Poison No Paradise tour is sure to challenge the skepticism of cynics and wake up anyone who has ever slept on Detroit. Look up when they’re coming to a city near you and don’t lose out! - Isa Nakazawa

>>>Get Dates for Black Milk - 'No Poison No Paradise' Tour Here