Blackie (musician)

Blackie All Caps With Spaces
Performing live at Numbers in Houston, 2008
Background information
Birth name Michael LaCour
Born 1987 (age 30–31)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Genres Hip hop, hardcore punk, noise, industrial, electronic, experimental
Occupation(s) Musician, rapper, record producer
Years active 2005–present
Labels TOOTH Records
Associated acts Cop Warmth, Fat Tony, LIMB, Female Demand
Website blackieallcapswithspaces.com

Michael LaCour (born 1987 in La Porte, Texas), known by his stage name B L A C K I E... All Caps, With Spaces (styled B L A C K I E[1]) is an American musician and record producer.[2][3] His experimental style combines hip hop, hardcore punk, noise, industrial and electronic.[4][5]

History

Michael LaCour first gained notoriety as B-L-A-C-K-I-E through assembling his own sound systems. At one time his sound system was rumored to consist of over twenty speakers and to be estimated at more than 5,000 watts. These sound systems would propel LaCour to local recognition. Often set up on the floors of nightclubs and warehouses, his massive speaker arrangement coupled with his energetic and many times unscheduled performances caused him to become legendary in Houston.[6][7]

Music

LaCour has been called a "one-man noise ordinance violation"[8] and his sound has been described as "equal parts fucked-up electronics, distorted pop-cult samples, guitar feedback, video game noise, and angry-as-hell street flow".[9] He at one point called it "U.S. Grime" and "Thrash-Rap", among other names,[10] and it has left several critics dumbfounded.[11][12]

Controversy

While LaCour's manic performances have made him a fan and college-radio favorite,[13][14][15] in equal measure they have drawn the ire of many.[16][17] LaCour has explained in interview that the spelling and spacing of the epithet that he uses as his stage name was chosen for visceral as well as aesthetic reasons. The artist states,

"...I started writing it down, like over and over and when I would write it normal like just with the B capitalized it looked ugly, I didn’t like how it looked. Then I started writing it in all caps real big all over the paper and I thought it looked really intimidating, really good..." [18]

Discography

Albums

  • 2008 Wilderness of North America
  • 2012 GEN
  • 2014 IMAGINE YOUR SELF IN A FREE AND NATURAL WORLD
  • 2017 REMAINS

EPs

  • 2005 B L A C K I E
  • 2009 Spred Luv (cassette only)
  • 2011 True Spirit and Not Giving a Fuck
  • 2013 Fuck the False (cassette only)

References

  1. ↑ "Type-Concerned MC Proves To Be Quite The Pacemaker". The Houston Press.
  2. ↑ "B L A C K I E With A Capital DIY". 29-95. Archived from the original on 2013-03-11.
  3. ↑ "FUN FUN FUN FEST 2011". Austin360.
  4. ↑ "SXSW Friday Picks & Sleepers". The Austin Chronicle.
  5. ↑ "SXSW Showcase Reviews: B L A C K I E All Caps With Spaces". The Austin Chronicle.
  6. ↑ "Radio Battle Tuesday: B L A C K I E vs. KTRU". SpaceCityRock.com.
  7. ↑ "Aftermath: Recession Thursday at Numbers, with Blackie". Houston Press.
  8. ↑ Langer, Andy (March 5, 2011). "The Texas Shuffle". NYTimes.com.
  9. ↑ "Wilderness Of North America on Space City Rock". SpaceCityRock.com.
  10. ↑ B L A C K I E @ myspace
  11. ↑ "REVIEW: B L A C K I E - WILDERNESS OF NORTH AMERICA". TheSkyline.net.
  12. ↑ "B L A C K I E Explores the Wilderness of North America". Houston Press.
  13. ↑ "REVIEW: B L A C K I E - WILDERNESS OF NORTH AMERICA COMMENTS". Houston Press.
  14. ↑ "Fans Attack". Houston Press.
  15. ↑ "KTRU Fall Portfolio 2008" (PDF). KTRU. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-10.
  16. ↑ "B L A C K I E at Free Press SummerFest 2011".
  17. ↑ "B L A C K I E Artist Profile". Space City Rock.
  18. ↑ "Interview With B L A C K I E". Pretty Riot.
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