Direct from the US, Other Tongues is proud to present American MChip hop mastermind GIFT OF GAB, playing a string of not-to-be-missed dates supporting his killer new album Escape 2 Mars.

The Oakland rapper is the skilful MC from vaunted duo Blackalicious, and part of the group of hip hop eccentrics known as Quannum (which includes DJ Shadow and Lyrics Born). Gab was also a member of The Mighty Underdogs, a collaborative project including Lateef (Latyrx) and Headnodic (Crown City Rockers).

Blackalicious established their reputation and electrified the underground with acclaimed albums Nia, Blazing Arrow and The Craft, marking Gift Of Gab as a prodigious talent, and elevating him to the status of the elite hip hop MCs.

Gab embarked on his first solo project for Quannum with two Seattle-based producers, Vitamin D and Jake One in 2004. The record, 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up, solidified Gab's position as one of the top MCs of his time, underground or otherwise.

Gabs acclaimed new record Escape 2 Mars, shows him in exceptionally fine form. His weighty vocal presence once again presents a mesmerising, impossibly fluid flow.

Enlisting producers Headnodic and DNAEBEATS, and heavyweight guests Brother Ali, Del The Funky Homosapien, Lateef, Joyo Velarde and Bart Davenport (Honeycut), Gab shows off his talent for creating atmospheric verbal artistry, bringing a truly individual technique to his craft.

You can catch Gift Of Gab and his tongue-twisting, thought-provoking rhymes at Oxford Art Factory on Friday, June 11, with Ozi Batla of The Herd.

Escape 2 Mars is out now through Other Tongues and has received blazing international reviews:

8/10 Rolls like the best of Blackalicious An ambitious set, and clearly a Bay Area attempt at the big league. Like hip hop used to sound. Praise be CLASH

(4 stars) Dizzying rhymes, cadences and subject matter that transcend typical battle raps, delivered with presence and vigor Gabs gift remains strong URB

(4 stars) A blend of daisy-age hip hop, space-jazz experimentation and neo-soul, with notes of electro-rock and psychedelic pop Supremely groovy UNCUT