It's been a little more than a year since I first saw Shabazz Palaces at SWSW and their music still sounds incredibly fresh to me. When I first saw them perform my impression was just that it sounded weird but I wanted to explore it more. In the last year, I have listened to everything they have on Spotify and I bought Black Up on vinyl. Shabazz Palaces are bending the notion of what "Hip-Hop" is and what it CAN be. They don't sound like anyone else, they aren't making club bangers they aren't making pop-radio music they are making headphone hip-hop for the present from the future. I know Sunday night shows can be tricky, what with work/school on Monday but I implore you to be at the Mohawk this Sunday night to see Shabazz Palaces. Also, tell everyone you know to check out their album Black Up. Especially your friends who won't STFU about Drake. I get it, Drake is talented and he's entertaining but Shabazz Palaces is making more challenging, interesting, futurist music than Drake could ever dream of. Grab yourself some tickets now. Let's hang out.
Shabazz Palaces - Swerve...the reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding) video via YouTube
So, maybe (for some reason) you're not sold on Shabazz Palaces but you like dance-punk. Well, lucky you because in what might be the oddest pairing in ages, !!! is playing the support slot for at the Mohawk Sunday night. As far as I know, their latest full-length album came out in 2010. However, they might be touring in support of their follow-up to Strange Weather, Isn't It? According to their Twitter feed they were hard at work in the studio two days ago. Not really sure what to expect from !!! on Sunday but they always put on a fun and energetic show.
