Some people seem to think that Shabazz Palaces recent debut live show was a legendary performance that will go down in history as one of the most important musical moments in Seattle history. I really like a few of their tracks, especially the one that shamelessly rips Bootsy Collins. Do musicians sue anymore? Seems like Bootsy has some duckets coming his way from this track. Anyway, what do you think? Are they really special/unique/game changing like some people say or is it just the dude from Digable Planets making backpack hip hop for white kids into indie rock?
,<- Live on KEXP
<- A Mess, aka I'd Rather Be With You track
― brotherlovesdub, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 21:41 (3 years ago) Permalink
LOL
― moonship journey to baja, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 22:07 (3 years ago) Permalink
There honestly was an incredibly charged atmosphere at that show, like this has the potential to blow up something huge. Can't speak to how it compares to Nirvana, Ok Hotel '91. (btw, who are you, brotherlovesdub?)
― fucking in the streets, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 22:12 (3 years ago) Permalink
i like the video to belhaven meridian:
and the artwork and bullshit story here is kind of endearing, but neither are quite enough for me to dig any deeper.
― zvookster, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 22:13 (3 years ago) Permalink
can we clear up who "some people" are w/r/t the LOLthread title
― ♖♕♖ (am0n), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 22:42 (3 years ago) Permalink
thx google
http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2010/01/11/shabazz-palaces-bigger-than-jimi
― ♖♕♖ (am0n), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 22:43 (3 years ago) Permalink
i pulled out the Cherrywine cd and have been listening to that a bit lately. the whole 'important' thing is pretty lame. this might be good but it'll go nowhere.
― jaxon, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 22:43 (3 years ago) Permalink
I think they call'em legends 'cause it's how we mark the time.
lol where did he steal this line from, that's a good 'un
― shake hands with Gongo? (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 22:44 (3 years ago) Permalink
also yeah jaxon OTM nothing's "important" anymore
― shake hands with Gongo? (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 22:45 (3 years ago) Permalink
― fucking in the streets, Tuesday, January 12, 2010 5:12 PM Bookmark
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 23:41 (3 years ago) Permalink
indeed. sorted that one out off-thread.
― fucking in the streets, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 23:45 (3 years ago) Permalink
Was he in the next cubicle or two over?
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 23:45 (3 years ago) Permalink
I was not but I do know how to contact Fucking In The Streets via email.
― brotherlovesdub, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 23:59 (3 years ago) Permalink
I decided to go ahead and purchase the 2 cds on their webpage and received download links to both albums as a bonus. They offer just the downloads for $9.99 and the CD's w/ a patch for $14.99. I'm assuming i'll be able to sell these to a Seattle Central Freshman in the year 2020 for approximately one million dollars since this is the most important band to come from Seattle since Nirvana. Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Shabazz. Makes sense to me.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:02 (3 years ago) Permalink
as far as pseudonymous people on the internet go, you don't exactly shroud yourself in mystery so the inquisition was a bit weird.
anyway i guess you ride for these guys? the "belhaven meridian" vid was a highlight of last year fro me mainly for the gorgeous black and white, and the Killer of Sheep ref (just saw that movie in a new print last year), and the seasick inversion. didn't fall in love with the music but did feel the infectious "that's what's up" refrain and the marimba sounding coda and the way it sounds cut from a larger thing of musical directions that're different but all of a piece.
but that larger thing wasn't what i was in the mood for when i came across it, having just used my bohemian quotient up listening to the Mos Def album, which, though not similar in sound, does wander around different ideas and struck me as half-assed and out-of-focus. still passing on investigating Shabazz Palaces more for now.
― zvookster, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:13 (3 years ago) Permalink
what're you going to sew your patches onto?
― zvookster, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:15 (3 years ago) Permalink
I hadn't heard about this project (although I am familiar with Ishmael Butler, obv). Sounds good. Sounds like the discourse around them, as such exists, is entirely eyeroll-worthy.
― pugwant (The Reverend), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:25 (3 years ago) Permalink
Is the Bootsy bite just that little, three-note guitar flourish? or the "yeah"? I'm not hearing like a litigation-worthy debt here, although my standards are likely different than Bootsy's.
― fucking in the streets, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:27 (3 years ago) Permalink
No, basically the entire Shabazz track is constructed from samples / loops lifted directly from I'd Rather Be With You.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:29 (3 years ago) Permalink
geez gotta be the first time someone's ever ripped off a p-funk track eh
― shake hands with Gongo? (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:30 (3 years ago) Permalink
not at all
― jaxon, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:33 (3 years ago) Permalink
On closer inspection, I wouldn't say 'entire track' but there are plenty of bits of I'd Rather Be With You in A Mess...
Interestingly, the mp3s I just downloaded didn't have A Mess... on them so perhaps they're/he's aware of the potential litigation.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:35 (3 years ago) Permalink
tbh, maybe it's the shitty cell phone recording, but i don't hear the bootsy sample at all in that clip. just sounds like muddy drums and vocals
― jaxon, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:36 (3 years ago) Permalink
http://www.amazon.com/Shabazz-Palaces/dp/B002EOUPC8
Check it on on this Amazon mp3 link. Track 7.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:41 (3 years ago) Permalink
Most independent-label hiphop acts don't bother clearing their samples unless they are aiming for mainstream success.
― pugwant (The Reverend), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 01:03 (3 years ago) Permalink
based on the video posted upthread, I'm actually really digging the vibe of this. exactly what I wanted to hear right now, but didn't know it.
might check out the albums if/when I stop being broke. I think they'd go well with the weed I also plan to buy if/when etc
― I got gin but I'm not a ginger (bernard snowy), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 04:26 (3 years ago) Permalink
I'm listening to the album right now and it's great. I wish I'd known about it sooner. Sounds kind of like if The Bug was American.
― pugwant (The Reverend), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 05:58 (3 years ago) Permalink
has anyone on this thread heard the Cherrywine album? because according to this thread, not that many people have. i really like it btw
Cherrywine - Digable frontman goes solo - how is it?
― jaxon, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 06:08 (3 years ago) Permalink
Nope. Has Ish done anything other than DPs/Cherrywine/Shabazz Palaces?
― pugwant (The Reverend), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 06:09 (3 years ago) Permalink
I'll search out that Cherrywine cd.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 19:44 (3 years ago) Permalink
I kept an eye out for that Cherrywine thing but never came across it. love love the second Digables album especially, myself. this sounds okay but earth-shattering...? eh, I dunno. clips upthread are pretty inaudible.
― shake hands with Gongo? (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 19:46 (3 years ago) Permalink
Critical consensus around these parts of the cubicles is that Cherrywine was wack.
― fucking in the streets, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 19:50 (3 years ago) Permalink
I like what I hear of this so far
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 19:54 (3 years ago) Permalink
fuck a critical consensus. have you heard the album? do you also hate sa ra and the q-tip 'soul' albums?
― jaxon, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 20:01 (3 years ago) Permalink
yeah I was gonna say if the above clips remind me of anything its the Sa-Ra stuff jaxon gave me years ago lolz
― shake hands with Gongo? (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 20:05 (3 years ago) Permalink
I've gone from lukewarm/this is ok but nothing more than a Clipse rip-off to non-stop listening/holy shit this is amazing in about 24hrs. BTW, this is basically a "laidback Clipse without the booger-sugar obsession" as Dave Segal stated but it's still fun to listen to.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 20:08 (3 years ago) Permalink
what? how does this sound anything like Clipse beyond "it is rap"?
― surfboard rock gets hyped up, totally (The Reverend), Wednesday, 13 January 2010 20:11 (3 years ago) Permalink
Have you heard Til The Casket Drops? It's a pretty obvious comparison to me.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 20:15 (3 years ago) Permalink
Raw, minimal drum machine beats, similar lazy cadence and delivery.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 20:17 (3 years ago) Permalink
Bah, this actually sounds nothing like Til The Casket Drops but it does still sound like Clipse to me. Better than Clipse though cuz i'm sick of listening to coke raps.
― brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 13 January 2010 20:27 (3 years ago) Permalink
Looks like there were two 2009 releases - were they at the same time?
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Friday, 15 January 2010 05:09 (3 years ago) Permalink
Good question. I don't think they were released simultaneously but I think they were released close together. I've ripped the stream from their live appearance on KEXP. It's not very good but here it is in case you want to check it out: http://www.mediafire.com/?ky1ynzu5bjw
― brotherlovesdub, Friday, 15 January 2010 19:35 (3 years ago) Permalink
I like that little "film" although I wouldn't mind someone explaining it to me
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Friday, 15 January 2010 20:09 (3 years ago) Permalink
Ok, I listened to the SP album again and thought about the whole Clipse thing. I really don't see at all how those two groups are more similar to each other than any other two randomly picked rap acts. The most notable stylistic difference between them is Clipse's fussy concision in rhyme/beat/song construction vs Shabazz's more ramshackle nature. As far as the rapping, besides their divergent subject matter, the Clipse deliver everything with a sneer, in contrast to Ish's more laconic rap style. The comparison with The Ecstatic makes more sense, but the Shabazz album(s?) is/are way better and altogether less boring than Mos' most recent.
― The Reverend, Friday, 15 January 2010 21:48 (3 years ago) Permalink
Can we change this silly title already?
maybe use some iteration of the thread title for the next excelsior?
― The Book of Eli Porter (ojo), Friday, 15 January 2010 22:21 (3 years ago) Permalink
New Kingdom 2010 edition
― you forgot what a hardcore blogger is (M@tt He1ges0n), Monday, 25 January 2010 20:04 (3 years ago) Permalink
The CD's are at Sonic Boom for 10 bucks but if you order them from the website, they ship from 420 High Street!
― brotherlovesdub, Monday, 25 January 2010 21:09 (3 years ago) Permalink
This is pretty tite imo.
― pithfork (Hurting 2), Thursday, 4 February 2010 02:51 (3 years ago) Permalink
into shabazz btw
― tuomascratch beat (deej), Wednesday, 26 January 2011 22:45 (2 years ago) Permalink
stevie/contenderizer OTM upthread about this stuff being like a sequel to J. Beez Wit Tha Remedy-era Jungle Brothers, seems like the most obvious reference point to me.
― a man is only a guy (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 16:21 (1 year ago) Permalink
hoping this grows on me cause after 1st listen it sounds like a dude fucking around with new gear/programs
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 17:02 (1 year ago) Permalink
that rawness is kind of what i like about it, especially on the eps (which don't even sound properly mastered to me). i never have that sense of "how the fuck did he make that beat?", but he still has a sound and knows what he's going for & what works for his vocals.
― hardcore oatmeal (Jordan), Wednesday, 6 July 2011 17:15 (1 year ago) Permalink
o_O
http://dreamhamptonfilmvideo.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-am-ali-2002_13.html?utm_source=BP_recent
― these goons were made for waka (The Reverend), Thursday, 7 July 2011 05:54 (1 year ago) Permalink
ok, this was the amazing, previously unknown first song they performed when i saw them:
ANOTHER REGAL GUN BEAT TO THUG TO
― bed bath and beyoncé (The Reverend), Monday, 11 July 2011 06:17 (1 year ago) Permalink
the persona non gratis in this palace been on sacred dirtpeacock swatches of color off my leathers burstrosé wristwatches whisper time in pleasure verse
― bed bath and beyoncé (The Reverend), Monday, 11 July 2011 06:25 (1 year ago) Permalink
was just listening to the album...
and shit yeah, i remember that! esp the "pilgrim marketing plan" intro line and "bop hard." where'd it come from? (and wonder why it got cut)
― Little GTFO (contenderizer), Monday, 11 July 2011 19:09 (1 year ago) Permalink
Apparently, it's an itunes bonus track.
― bed bath and beyoncé (The Reverend), Monday, 11 July 2011 19:19 (1 year ago) Permalink
http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/shabazz-palaces-concert/20054896-3738457.html
― hardcore oatmeal (Jordan), Thursday, 14 July 2011 15:20 (1 year ago) Permalink
if someone gets a direct link plz post. making you sign up to download a recording you don't own the rights to is bullshit.
― brotherlovesdub, Thursday, 14 July 2011 17:08 (1 year ago) Permalink
http://www.mediafire.com/?5nzyyg4hv37225x
here's shabazz live on KEXP in May, no signup required. the same exact songs + more.
― brotherlovesdub, Thursday, 14 July 2011 17:11 (1 year ago) Permalink
ok so i really listened to "of light" a lot and the other EP and dug the hell out of it, but never really read anything abt shabazz palaces....is the dude from digable planets???????
― van ingalls wilder (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 14 July 2011 17:16 (1 year ago) Permalink
yep Butterfly/Ishmael Butler
― i hate it when rats eat my bushels (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 14 July 2011 17:19 (1 year ago) Permalink
surprised you couldn't tell from just his voice!
yeah i guess now i hear it, but you know, this seemed to be bubbling up around the lil' b/oddfuture hype and i guess i just sort of assumed they were a bunch of weird kids or something....digable planets in 2010 just wasn't something that would ever come to mind i guess
anyway v cool to see a dude be able to reinvent himself and make a comeback
― van ingalls wilder (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 14 July 2011 17:23 (1 year ago) Permalink
yeah pretty unusual (Doom, Kool Keith being the other exceptions)
― i hate it when rats eat my bushels (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 14 July 2011 17:24 (1 year ago) Permalink
"you corny, nigga"
for some reason this seems like the funniest hook I've heard all year
― i hate it when rats eat my bushels (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 14 July 2011 18:45 (1 year ago) Permalink
probably cuz of deej tbh
yeah he manages to make basic hooks sound amazing. eg 'im free, bitch you know im free' (at least i think he says bitch you know im free, well in my head thats how i rap it, if he doesnt say that he should)
and im glad hes got such an amazing 2nd wind - def rare in hip hop, fwiw i think SP is way better than DPs
― titchy (titchyschneiderMk2), Friday, 15 July 2011 08:56 (1 year ago) Permalink
GF opines that the black velvet case is cool but to her it sounded like andre 3000 but "less musical"
― moonship journey to baja, Saturday, 16 July 2011 01:27 (1 year ago) Permalink
i want to start a kosmische hip hop thread
this album reminded me of these
― moonship journey to baja, Saturday, 16 July 2011 01:30 (1 year ago) Permalink
somehow this sounded better listening at work on my ipod then in my basement with PA and sub blasting, go figga. maybe it was just too intense to digest a 1st listen on a bangin system.
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Saturday, 16 July 2011 04:09 (1 year ago) Permalink
http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=9373
this review is one of the worst i have read
― titchy (titchyschneiderMk2), Monday, 18 July 2011 09:34 (1 year ago) Permalink
i saw the vinyl of this finally - it didnt appear to be a felt sleeve :|
― titchy (titchyschneiderMk2), Monday, 18 July 2011 09:43 (1 year ago) Permalink
Ew, that review
the voice dripping insouciantly out of his nose.
― Strictly vote-splitting (DL), Monday, 18 July 2011 10:21 (1 year ago) Permalink
still trying to work out what i think of this. the beats are really inventive, i enjoy it...i totally admire this on a head level but haven't got beyond that yet.
comment upthread "if the bug was american" rings true, and i'm also reminded of saul williams, but williams and the bug both had those moments of RAAARGHHH ferocity that really sucked you in, whereas this album kind of retreats further into itself as it goes on. almost like he's just talking to himself.
― lex pretend, Monday, 18 July 2011 10:40 (1 year ago) Permalink
its not as abrasive as the bug thankfully (i do still like the bug though some of his earlier stuff kinda pre-dubstep is a bit too idm-noise-y) and its not as noisy/rocky as saul williams but yeah its similar in some ways, but i dont think its intellectual to the point of having no emotional impact - i love his voice and flow but the lyrics are very dispersed so its hard to really get wrapped up in them. but i find myself really liking (AND admiring) the beats. they i would say are what make it rap album of the year for me. the rappers on the very last track are a bit average though. was surprised to hear they are signed to sub pop too.
― titchy (titchyschneiderMk2), Monday, 18 July 2011 10:58 (1 year ago) Permalink
Apparently came onstage (although a different stage) at the Pitchfork fest right after Odd Future
― curmudgeon, Monday, 18 July 2011 13:59 (1 year ago) Permalink
checking this out thanks to Spotify... this is HOT HOT HOT
― Spotify, Spotify me (DJP), Monday, 18 July 2011 15:17 (1 year ago) Permalink
strangely actually sounds better on cd than vinyl - i thought the lp would bring out all the bass and texture more but it doesnt have the clarity of the cd unfortunately, its not as well defined, or it could just be my system, though i dont think so, lots of bassy dubstep sounds fine on my hi fi.
― titchy (titchyschneiderMk2), Monday, 18 July 2011 15:28 (1 year ago) Permalink
I mentioned the Bug in reference to the EPs, which are a bit murkier and darker in tone than Black Up.
― bed bath and beyoncé (The Reverend), Monday, 18 July 2011 18:52 (1 year ago) Permalink
(and inferior to)
the eps still feel more vital to me, the highs are higher and the verses and hooks are lot more engaging.
― hardcore oatmeal (Jordan), Monday, 18 July 2011 19:41 (1 year ago) Permalink
you're
the shit
like ear
ly summer
the breeze
the birds
the bees
they humming
― ogmor, Sunday, 31 July 2011 16:52 (1 year ago) Permalink
noz otm (re song titles at least):
― like a musical album. made by a band. (fucking in the streets), Sunday, 31 July 2011 17:47 (1 year ago) Permalink
ha
― dutty whiney (The Reverend), Sunday, 31 July 2011 19:09 (1 year ago) Permalink
The enjoyment of this album is completely dependent on where and how you're listening. It might as well be an IDM album. If you listen to it in a silent room with good headphones and give it undivided attention the beats and textures are very interesting but if you hear it on public transportation/walking around/not really paying attention it becomes a somewhat annoying experience.
― ◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝ (Moka), Wednesday, 10 August 2011 02:16 (1 year ago) Permalink
Disagree, I listen to this on the train a lot and it sounds great there too.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Wednesday, 10 August 2011 02:58 (1 year ago) Permalink
As w/ first cloudead album, I think it's prob best enjoyed on a warm summer evening getting all cocooned while shopping slo-mo for your tea
― ogmor, Wednesday, 10 August 2011 18:09 (1 year ago) Permalink
so this is like my new favorite rap. I used to rly only like tyler the creator for his over the top evilness and stuff but this is like animal collective but also hiphop. The music is just as important as the message.
xsquaredthemusician 1 month ago
way to fucking ruin it for me, dickhead
― Elderflower Gimcrax Flores (admrl), Friday, 12 August 2011 01:13 (1 year ago) Permalink
lol
― The Reverend, Friday, 12 August 2011 01:28 (1 year ago) Permalink
You'll get that kind of thing with yer critically acclaimed underground hip-hop albums
― Number None, Friday, 12 August 2011 01:35 (1 year ago) Permalink
what is the "message" that Shabazz Palaces has for us, exactly?
― Elderflower Gimcrax Flores (admrl), Friday, 12 August 2011 01:37 (1 year ago) Permalink
Save people, put out fires, go to school.
― streetball technician in the flesh (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Friday, 12 August 2011 01:45 (1 year ago) Permalink
Oh I thought Tyler was saying "bum shit" but that makes more sense
― Elderflower Gimcrax Flores (admrl), Friday, 12 August 2011 01:47 (1 year ago) Permalink
ha spottie
― The Reverend, Friday, 12 August 2011 03:23 (1 year ago) Permalink
This is a weird group of collaboratorshttp://www.thefader.com/2011/08/15/sbtrkt-f-drumma-boy-yukimi-nagano-and-shabazz-palaces-wildfire-remix-mp3/
― Number None, Tuesday, 16 August 2011 00:18 (1 year ago) Permalink
Watched their performance on KEXP tonight. Really like the use of instruments on their set, at times it seems to me like they're doing the hip hop approach in a way noone has ever done it before and they're closer to greatness than I give them credit for. Next to the Cool Kids and the Cunninlynguists this one of the best hip hop records I've heard this year, still not sure if I'd classify it as hip hop tho.
― Moka, Wednesday, 12 October 2011 05:00 (1 year ago) Permalink
Whoa now, not hip-hop you say?
― Jessie J Pink!man (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Wednesday, 12 October 2011 05:14 (1 year ago) Permalink
http://soundcloud.com/chiefboima/chimurenga-renaissance-pungwe
― have a sandwich or ice cream sandwich (Jordan), Friday, 12 October 2012 20:03 (7 months ago) Permalink