Jabee doesn’t consider himself the hardest-core of hardcore record collectors, but his stockpile is unarguably impressive.
He said most of what he buys are hip-hop albums and pressings that contain some of his favorite hard-to-find samples. Among his most beloved are the 1977 self-titled sophomore release by Atlanta soul band Brick and The Jackson 5’s Lookin’ Through the Windows, which he received at age 7.
Friday, the local rapper’s latest project Black Future will make its way into the hands of local vinyl collectors. Jabee first released the album in August. It features local talent Cooki Turner, Miillie Mesh and Bowlsey’s Cidward St. Cler in addition to rap icon Chuck D and producer Statik Selektah.
Vinyl pressings were not ready in August. However, Jabee later decided Black Friday would be the perfect time to celebrate Black Future’s vinyl release.
The rapper joins Guestroom Records, 3701 N. Western Ave., for a free, in-store release party on Black Friday. Jabee is bringing in several DJs, including DJ D.L., DJ Diverse and DJ Reaper, who will be spinning throughout the day. Music begins when the shop opens at 10 a.m., and Jabee is expected to perform after noon. COOP Ale Works will provide free beer.
“It’s just something to keep the momentum going,” Jabee said. “I wanted to do something for free since the album release show couldn’t be free. It’s just a party where people can come hang out and have a good time.”
The white vinyl record features a slightly reduced tracklist. The rapper had to cut part of the poem that intertwines the album along several tracks, and none of the bonus tracks made it on wax.
However, fans are no less eager to get their hands on the limited edition release. In October, Jabee held a weeklong scavenger hunt for free copies of the record featuring daily winners.
“It turned out better than I thought,” he said. “People kept checking back to find out more. They kept contacting me, asking, ‘When’s the next clue? When’s the next clue?’”
Collectors who visit Guestroom on Black Friday can also buy a Black Future Christmas sweater for $40. The rapper developed the sweater in partnership with Group Fly Clothing.
Black Friday is usually not quite the vinyl frenzy that the official Record Store Day (RSD) is in mid-April, but national and local retailers still see a lot of business the day after Thanksgiving. Guestroom will be carrying most of the official Record Store Day: Black Friday releases in store that day. The official RSD list includes a 12” picture disc of “Sexy M.F.” by Prince and The New Power Generation, Erykah Badu’s clear vinyl But You Caint Use My Phone, South Park compilation Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics and many more.
“If you’re running around, stressed out, shopping at the big-box retail stores on Black Friday, come out here and have a good time and a beer,” said Guestroom co-owner Justin Sowers. “I guarantee it will be a lot less stressful.”
Sowers said Guestroom is planning a storewide sale for the day and has been stockpiling a large selection of more than 1,000 high-quality, unpicked used records that will be revealed to customers for the first time Friday.
Local store Trolley Stop Record Shop, 1807 N. Classen Blvd., is still working on its Black Friday plans but expects large crowds. The shop celebrated its five-year anniversary last weekend.
Print Headline: Spin cycle, Jabee joins Guestroom Records for a Black Friday Black Future vinyl release party.
