Brian Ennals and Blockhead unveil latest album “Boatshoes” featuring single “Aldente”
In some corners of the internet, the abstract DIY frenzy known as A City Drowned In God’s Black Tears is hailed as one of the top rap albums from the previous year. This project hails from a duo based in Baltimore, consisting of rapper Brian Ennals and producer Infinity Knives, who have been quietly honing their craft for years. The album signifies a significant progression for these two artists. Ennals has since joined forces with another producer, the seasoned New York underground figure Blockhead, for a fresh album, and the initial outcomes of this collaboration are highly encouraging.
Blockhead has established himself as a frequent collaborator with Aesop Rock, and they continue to work together extensively. Maintaining a strong presence on the New York underground scene for over twenty-five years, Blockhead has produced stellar beats for numerous generations of artistic rappers. Notably, he was behind the creation of the 2023 track “Now That’s What I Call A Posse Cut Vol. 56” (Feat. Bruiser Wolf, Danny Brown, billy woods, & Despot). Ennals and Blockhead have come together to create Boatshoes, a fresh collaborative album featuring guest appearances from rappers like Fatboi Sharif, ShrapKnel, and Defcee. Commenting on the project, Ennals states, “This is a dude that’s made albums with Aesop Rock and billy woods, so I was aware there was a level of quality I had to reach. Not to toot my own horn, I think I did… It’s the most fun rapping I’ve had in a long time. Block’s productions were funky as fuck, almost pop, but still totally rap. They didn’t sound like anything I’d ever heard.”
Blockhead also shares his thoughts, saying, “Brian met the challenges of writing to beats like this at every turn. We ended up with an album that sounds nothing like anything we have done before. And when you’ve been doing this as long as I have, that’s a rare accomplishment.” The lead single, “Aldente,” showcases a distinctive sound with Blockhead’s intricate beat that incorporates unexpected harmonica elements. Ennals weaves in the hook from fellow Baltimore rapper 2Pac’s iconic “Hail Mary,” paying homage to their shared roots.
Featuring a diverse sound, Boatshoes offers a rich listening experience. The tracklist includes entries like “Roll Call,” “Pass The Yayo,” “Let It Burn (Like Usher),” and “Soy Boy.” Noteworthy tracks like “Yellow School Buses” featuring Mike Mayo & Defcee, “Wet Noodle,” and “Now That’s What I Call A Posse Cut Vol. 87” with Fatboi Sharif, Shrapknel, & DeathIRL, exhibit the album’s versatility. Boatshoes is slated to release on 7/17 under the label Phantom Limb.