The Black Keys have once again teamed up with influential hip-hop producer/multi-instrumentalist/Wu-Tang member now turned director RZA on a new track to be featured in the movie The Man With The Iron Fists.
The upcoming martial arts film, which is written and directed by – as well as starring RZA, will feature a soundtrack that includes the talents of Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, My Chemical Romance, and John Frusciante as well as the new collaboration with the blues rock superstars.
The new track, entitled ‘The Baddest Man Alive’ premiered earlier today on FuseTV and is an intriguing hybrid of RZA’s diverse sounds and The Black Keys’ signature bluesy indie rock, as Global Grind reports.
The Akron, Ohio duo are no strangers to hip-hop collaborations, having previously worked with RZA, among other iconic rap figures, on 2009 cross-over album Blakroc.
RZA reportedly sought the guidance of iconic director Quentin Tarantino (the pair worked together on Kill Bill), who encouraged the prominent hip-hop figure to score the film himself, with a little help from some of his musician friends.
In related Black Keys news, the pair have also announced a new Live EP, to be released on the 15th of October, just a week ahead of the band’s imminent tour down under.
As Consequence of Sound reports, the Tour Rehearsal Tapes EP was recorded live in the studio in December of last year, and includes a version of smash-hit ‘Lonely Boy’, as well as ‘Gold On The Ceiling’ and ‘Dead And Gone’ from last year’s El Camino, which our reviewer labelled a ‘grafted rock ‘n’ roll vindication in its truest form’.
The EP will give Australian fans a taste of their fast approaching headline tour, including a sold-out date at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, with a second show already announced.
Fans can also hear an alternate version of Lonely Boy by none other than Iggy Pop on a recently released tribute album to the duo, that also features Cream drummer Ginger Baker, and blues legends Walter Trout and Tab Benoit.
You can have a listen to the new RZA/Black Keys collaboration above in the banner while you check out the band’s upcoming tour dates below:
The Black Keys 2012 Australian Tour
Sunday 21 October – NEWCASTLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Monday 22 October – SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Friday 26 October – BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Sunday 28 October – ROCK IT FESTIVAL, ARENA JOONDALUP
Tuesday 30 October – ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Wednesday 31October – SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL, MELBOURNE (SOLD OUT)
Thursday 1 November – SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL, MELBOURNE
