Black Milk

Detroit producer Black Milk is arguably the most in-demand underground hip-hop producer right now. Caltroit is ostensibly a mix-tape collaboration between himself and California MC Bishop Lamont, and special guests who may or may not be from Michigan or California. If anything, this record helps to further establish Black Milk’s identity outside of the sonic shadow of J Dilla. It’s also meant to serve as a showcase for MC Bishop Lamont, who is signed to Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label, but aside from a couple of tracks, his attempts to establish himself are downplayed by the number of MCs (including Black Milk himself) featured elsewhere and Black Milk’s growing production diversity. Proof of this is evident on the ominous techno march of "Goatit,” featuring blistering verses from Phat Kat and Elzhi, as well as the ridiculously self-explanatory "Go Hard,” featuring a rejuvenated Ras Kass and Royce the 5’9. Other notable cameos include Kardinal Offishall’s verse on the quirky "Everything” — along with Jake One and Aftermath’s DJ Khalil, he also lends his production skills to a track. The whole affair is so on-point that the good doctor himself deigns it worthy to take a moment to poke his head outside of the presumably arduous Detox sessions to make a rare, but admittedly brief, appearance on the G-funk-tinged "On Top Now.” Still, it’s a definite confirmation of Black Milk’s rapid ascendance.