Description
Robert Glasper – Black Radio III – Double Vinyl Record
Black Radio III (stylized as BLACK RADIO III) is the third installment in Robert Glasper’s pioneering Black Radio series and was released on February 25, 2022, via Loma Vista Recordings. Produced primarily by Glasper himself alongside co-producers Terrace Martin, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Jahi Sundance, and mixed by Qmillion, the album picks up a decade after the original 2012 Black Radio and nearly nine years following Black Radio 2. Clocking in at 67 minutes and 15 seconds across thirteen tracks, it continues Glasper’s mission of fusing jazz, hip-hop, soul, R&B, and rap into a cohesive sonic tapestry
As with its predecessors, Black Radio III is notable for its all-star roster of guest collaborators, reflecting Glasper’s deep roots in multiple Black musical traditions. Featured vocalists and emcees include Amir Sulaiman, Ant Clemons, Big K.R.I.T., BJ the Chicago Kid, Common, D Smoke, Esperanza Spalding, Gregory Porter, H.E.R., India.Arie, Jennifer Hudson, Killer Mike, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Meshell Ndegeocello, Musiq Soulchild, PJ Morton, Posdnuos, Q-Tip, Tiffany Gouché, Ty Dolla $ign, and Yebba. This constellation of talent underscores Glasper’s role as a bridge between jazz improvisation and contemporary Black popular music.
Musically, the album traverses a broad emotional and stylistic range. It opens with the warm, piano-driven jazz of “In Tune,” moves into the defiant hip-hop swagger of “Black Superhero,” and glides through the lush, groove-rich soul of “Shine.” Standout track “Everybody Love,” featuring Musiq Soulchild’s velvety vocals and Posdnuos’s nimble verses, exemplifies the record’s blend of cosmic R&B atmospherics and rhythmic dexterity. Elsewhere, Glasper’s deft touch is evident on introspective pieces like “Why We Speak,” which marries spoken-word poetry to subtle jazz textures, and on joyous, gospel-tinged moments such as “Better Than I Imagined” (featuring H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello).
Despite its ambitious scope and critical acclaim, Black Radio III did not enter the Billboard 200, marking a commercial downturn compared to earlier entries in the series; it did, however, chart internationally, reaching No. 60 on Billboard Japan’s Hot Albums and No. 46 on Oricon’s album chart. Critically, the album was lauded for its seamless genre fusion and Glasper’s curatorial vision. At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, Black Radio III won Best R&B Album and earned a nomination for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical—a testament to both its artistic and technical achievements
Black Radio III reaffirms Robert Glasper’s position at the forefront of contemporary Black music, weaving together the improvisational freedom of jazz with the rhythmic and vocal richness of hip-hop, soul, and R&B. Through its diverse collaborations and carefully crafted soundscapes, the album not only honors the legacy of its predecessors but also extends the Black Radio concept into new artistic territories.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
In Tune Featuring – Amir Sulaiman
Black Superhero Featuring – BJ The Chicago Kid, Big K.R.I.T., Killer Mike
Shine Featuring – D Smoke, Tiffany Gouché
Why We Speak Featuring – Esperanza Spalding, Q-Tip
Over Featuring – Yebba
Better Than I Imagined Featuring – H.E.R. (2), Meshell Ndegeocello
Everybody Wants To Rule The World Featuring – Common, Lalah Hathaway
Everybody Love Featuring – Musiq Soulchild, Posdnuos
It Don’t Matter Featuring – Gregory Porter, Ledisi
Heaven’s Here Featuring – Ant Clemons
Out Of My Hands Featuring – Jennifer Hudson
Forever Featuring – India.Arie, PJ Morton
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