Black Keys Say 'There Are No Plans' To Release Blakroc 2

Trailer for new project hit the Net earlier this month 'without our permission,' Keys drummer says.
By James Montgomery

The Black Keys
Photo: Warner Bros. Records

Late last month, a rather badass (and blunt-filled) trailer for Blakroc 2, the sequel to 2009's Black Keys/ Damon Dash hip-hop project, began making the rounds on the Net.

First posted on the website of Dash's DD172 collective, the crackling clip featured the Keys and rappers like Talib Kweli, Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y getting loose in the studio, and though no release date was given for the album, the video concluded with the promise that new music would be "Coming Soon."

Of course, that was news to the Black Keys. Because in an interview at this past weekend's Music Midtown festival in Atlanta, drummer Patrick Carney let it be known that folks would be waiting a long time to hear any new Blakroc tracks — at least if his band has anything to do with it.

"Blakroc 2 is not coming out soon. ... Somehow, there was a trailer that was made — like, two years ago — without our permission [that] was then re-circulated again without our permission," he told Atlanta's 92.9 FM. "I mean, we have stuff recorded for it, we have about eight songs that are, I guess, done, but those were all recorded, like, two years ago, like around October of 2009. So Blakroc 2 ... there are no plans for that to be released as an album."

So what will become of the project? No one seems to know for sure. A spokesperson for the Black Keys was not available, and Damon Dash had no comment on the matter.

In the meantime, Carney said fans shouldn't despair — mostly because the Keys are putting the finishing touches on their new album, which finds them reteaming with producer Danger Mouse. And, by the sound of things, it'll be out way before Blakroc 2.

"I can just say that it's coming out soon, and we think it's really good," Carney said. "[If fans were excited for Blakroc], then they can just be excited for the new Black Keys one, because that's the only one that actually exists."

Were you hoping for a Blakrock sequel? Let us know in the comments!

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