5 Surprising Facts About David Bowie’s “Blackstar”

Released on Bowie’s 69th birthday, January 8, 2016, Blackstar stands as a monumental, enigmatic farewell to an unparalleled career. Crafted in secrecy with Tony Visconti and a group of NYC jazz musicians, the album is a fusion of art rock and experimental jazz, marked by themes of mortality, legacy, and artistic freedom. Here are five fascinating details about Blackstar that add to its enduring mystique.

1. Recorded in Secrecy with Jazz Musicians
Bowie intentionally veered away from his usual band for Blackstar, recruiting saxophonist Donny McCaslin’s jazz quartet. Tony Visconti explained the decision, saying that jazz musicians playing rock would “turn it upside down.” The chemistry of the group—Mark Guiliana on drums, Tim Lefebvre on bass, and Jason Lindner on piano—infused the album with a dynamic blend of spontaneity and precision. This unorthodox choice added a fresh, avant-garde texture to Bowie’s final work.

2. Influenced by Kendrick Lamar and Death Grips
While crafting Blackstar, Bowie drew inspiration from unexpected sources, including Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and the experimental sounds of Death Grips. Though the album doesn’t mimic their styles, Bowie admired their genre-defying approach and sought to bring a similar openness to his own music. The result is a record that resists easy categorization, blending jazz, hip-hop rhythms, and art rock seamlessly.

3. A Vinyl with Hidden Surprises
The Blackstar vinyl edition holds secrets that fans continue to uncover. Most notably, when the black paper sleeve is removed and held up to light, it reveals a starfield pattern—a subtle nod to Bowie’s cosmic legacy. Designer Jonathan Barnbrook hinted that there are more surprises in the artwork, adding to the mystique of Bowie’s final visual statement.

4. “Lazarus” as a Swan Song
“Lazarus,” one of the album’s standout tracks, is often interpreted as Bowie’s farewell. Lines like “Look up here, I’m in heaven” and the haunting music video, which depicts Bowie in a hospital bed, take on profound meaning in the context of his passing. The song also features in Bowie’s off-Broadway musical of the same name, linking his theatrical and musical worlds in one final bow.

5. A Self-Referential Goodbye
The closing track, “I Can’t Give Everything Away,” directly references Bowie’s own career. The harmonica solo recalls his 1977 track “A New Career in a New Town,” while the lyrics explore themes of revelation and mystery. Bowie grapples with his own legacy, leaving fans with a parting message both cryptic and deeply emotional.

Blackstar is a carefully constructed final act from one of music’s most innovative artists. Bowie used the record to explore his mortality, stretch artistic boundaries, and offer a gift to fans who had followed his career for decades. It’s a haunting, beautiful swan song that cements his place as a creative force who was always one step ahead of his time.