Black Gold (Kutt Calhoun album) explained

Black Gold is the fourth studio album by American rapper Kutt Calhoun. It was released on February 26, 2013, through Strange Music, making it his final full-length for the label.^[1] Production was handled by Seven and Monsta Muzik. It features guest appearances from Ben-G Da Prince of Soul, BG Bulletwound, Bishop Don Dotta, Brotha Lynch Hung, Krizz Kaliko, Nesto The Owner, Ron Ron, Snug Brim, Tech N9ne and The Popper.

The album debuted at number 120 on the Billboard 200, number 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 13 on the Top Rap Albums,^[2] number 22 on the Independent Albums and topped the Heatseekers Albums charts, with first-week sales of 4,300 copies in the United States.^[3]

Critical response

AllMusic's David Jeffries gave the album three and a half stars out of five, saying "crafting a thug party anthem out of a Willy Wonka line ("I Don't Like the Look of It") and using the '70s sitcom Three's Company as inspiration for a strip club jam ("Jack Tripper") rapper Kutt Calhoun is still the Strange Music label's strongest link to the streets, but here, he's certainly upped the funny. Maybe it's hanging around label boss Tech N9ne, who guest stars on the great "I Been Dope" ("I been dope since Reaganomics/Son of a crack fiend, holla at me"), but most of the exciting moments on Black Gold are when Kutt goes weird and/or wild, or maybe even novelty". Edwin Ortiz of HipHopDX also gave the album three and a half out of five, saying "Black Gold revels in its ability to highlight the unique approach of Strange Music while still sounding refreshingly conventional. At 35 years young, Kutt Calhoun is picking up traction when other rappers would be given the checkered flag. Underappreciated or not, that's something that won't go unnoticed".

Personnel

• Melvin "Kutt Calhoun" Calhoun, Jr. – vocals
• Samuel "Krizz Kaliko" Watson – additional vocals (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 7)
• Kevin "Brotha Lynch Hung" Mann – additional vocals (track 2)
• Aaron D. "Tech N9NE" Yates – additional vocals (tracks: 3, 5)
• Gregory "B.G. Bulletwound" Roland – additional vocals (tracks: 5, 9)
• Manzila "Makzilla" Queen – additional vocals (track 5)
• Benjamin E. "Ben-G da Prince of Soul" Givens IV – additional vocals (tracks: 6, 13)
• Aaron "Snug Brim" Henderson – additional vocals (track 9)
• Ernest "Bishop Young Don" Dixon – additional vocals (track 10)
• Walter "The Popper" Edwin – additional vocals (track 14)
• Ronald "Ron Ron" White – additional vocals (track 14)
• Ernesto "Nesto The Owner" Edwards – additional vocals (track 14)
• Michael "Seven" Summers – producer (tracks: 1-8, 10-14)
• Tylan M. "Monsta Muzik" Briscoe – producer (track 9)
• Ben Cybulsky – mixing
• Tom Baker – mastering
• Travis O'Guin – executive producer, A&R
• Dave Weiner – A&R
• James Meierotto – photography

Charts

Chart (2013)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[4]	120
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[5]	25
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[6]	13
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[7]	22
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[8]	1

Notes and References

1. Web site: Paine . Jake . February 2, 2013 . Kutt Calhoun "Black Gold" Tracklist & Cover Art . September 19, 2024 . . en.
2. Web site: Ramirez . Rauly . August 23, 2013 . Strange Music Rules on Rap Albums Chart . September 19, 2024 . . en-US.
3. Web site: Horowitz . Steven . March 6, 2013 . Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 3/3/2013 . September 19, 2024 . . en.
4. March 16, 2013 . Billboard 200 . September 19, 2024 . . en.
5. March 16, 2013 . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums . September 19, 2024 . . en.
6. March 16, 2013 . Top Rap Albums . September 19, 2024 . . en.
7. March 16, 2013 . Independent Albums . September 19, 2024 . . en.
8. March 16, 2013 . Heatseekers Albums . September 19, 2024 . . en.