Blackalicious is a California-based hip hop duo, composed of MC Gift of Gab (born Timothy Parker) and DJ/producer Chief Xcel (born Xavier Mosley), noted for their intelligent, artistic approach to hip hop music. The pair have released three full-length albums (1999's Nia, 2002's Blazing Arrow and 2005's The Craft) that have won them considerable critical acclaim and a sizable following.

The Gift of Gab ( Tim Parker ) and Chief Xcel ( Xavier Mosley ) met at John F. Kennedy High School in 1987 in sacramento , california and formed the group in the early 1990s. They released their first recording, “ Swan Lake ”, on solesides records . The Solesides Crew consisted of the duo. as well as other friends of theirs they had met at University of California - Davis, including DJ Shadow , Lyrics Born and Lateef The Truth Speaker . The single was an underground hit, but label trouble pr