In 1994, a unique and laid-back sound known as “hip-hop blues” emerged from the streets of Philadelphia. It was the creation of G. Love & Special Sauce, a trio that quickly captivated music lovers with their blend of Delta blues, hip-hop, rock & roll, soul, and funk.
The self-titled debut album from this talented trio swiftly went Gold, setting the stage for a remarkable musical journey. Now, three decades later, they’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of this iconic album with an extensive national tour, including a special stop in Homer, New York, and another in New York City.
Born Garrett Dutton in Philadelphia, G. Love (as he is popularly known) was raised with a diverse musical palette, equally enchanted by folk, blues, and rap. His musical influences ranged from Lead Belly and Run D.M.C. to John Hammond and the Beastie Boys. Upon relocating to Boston, G. Love, along with his band, Special Sauce, broke into the music scene in 1994 with their Gold-selling self-titled debut album. The album garnered widespread critical acclaim for its bold vision and innovative production, establishing the trio as a pioneering force in the music industry.
Over the next three decades, G. Love continued to build on this success, releasing seven more acclaimed studio albums with Special Sauce and four solo albums. His music was described by The New York Times as “a new and urgent hybrid” and by NPR as a “musical melting pot.”
G. Love and Special Sauce’s most recent studio effort Philadelphia, Mississippi saw the group embark on an innovative and deeply reverent sonic journey to the heart of the South. Produced by Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi All-Stars, the album is a tapestry of joyful, improvised performances and freewheeling collaborations with a range of special guests, including blues luminaries like Alvin Youngblood Hart and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, as well as rap icons Schoolly D and Speech. This album followed their 2020 Grammy-nominated release The Juice, co-written and co-produced by Grammy-winning icon Keb’ Mo’.
The Juice paid homage to centuries of blues heritage while offering a contemporary pop spin on the genre. It masterfully mixed programmed beats and hip-hop grooves with blistering guitar and sacred steel, conveying a message of hope and determination in a society that sometimes struggles with doubt and despair.
Now, G. Love & Special Sauce is coming full circle, revisiting the album that started it all. Their self-titled debut produced chart-topping hits like “Cold Beverage,” a college radio staple, and “Baby’s Got Sauce,” dubbed the “Song of the Year” by Seattle’s KEXP-FM 90.3. The album even reached #32 on the Heatseekers chart.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their iconic debut, G. Love & Special Sauce is embarking on a 40+ date tour that crisscrosses the United States.
Tickets for this extraordinary musical journey will go on sale on Friday, October 20th, at 10:00 a.m. local time in each respective market.
Tour Dates
1/11 – St. Louis, MO – Blueberry Hill Duck Room
1/12 – Chicago, IL – Park West
1/13 – Minneapolis, MN- Fine Line
1/14 – Milwaukee, WI- Turner Hall Ballroom
1/17 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
1/18 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
1/19 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
1/20 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Café and Music Hall
1/21 – Homer, NY – Center for the Arts of Homer
1/24 – Boston, MA – City Winery
1/25 – Boston, MA – City Winery
1/26 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery
1/27 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery
1/30 – New York, NY – City Winery – Pier 57
1/31 – New York, NY – City Winery – Pier 57
2/1 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage
2/2 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage
2/3 – Washington, DC – The Hamilton Live
2/6 – Virginia Beach, VA – Elevation 27
2/7 – Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
2/8 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
2/9 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
2/10 – Atlanta, GA – City Winery
2/13 – Fort Myers, FL – Point Ybel Brewing
2/14 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
2/16 – New Smyrna Beach, FL- Beachside Tavern
2/17 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
2/18 – Key West, FL – American Legion
2/29 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
3/1 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House
3/2 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour
3/3 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
3/5 – Santa Barbara, CA – Soho
3/6 – San Francisco, CA- The Independent
3/8 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
3/9 – Seattle, WA- The Showbox
3/12 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
3/13 – Aspen, CO- Belly Up Aspen
3/14 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Strings Music Pavilion
3/15 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theater
3/16 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
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