The experimental hip-hop collective Shabazz Palaces released a new album, Lese Majesty, in July and has announced a tour that includes a stop in Little Rock.
Formed in 2009, the collective includes Ishmael Butler (who is also known as Butterfly of the 90s jazz hip hop group Digable Planets) and Tendai Maraire.
In Pitchfork’s favorable review of the new LP Craig Jenkins claims, “This is a call to arms for hip-hop’s creative fringe to snatch the reins from a power structure more interested in self-preservation than the advancement of the culture.”
Shabazz Palaces is based out of Seattle where they premiered their latest album live back in July.
Seattle’s The Stranger praised the performance claiming the duo is “the future of hip-hop.”
“There was no need for drugs, or even the dazzling light show, since the music’s fathoms-deep dubscapes and strategically predatory beats equaled the angular and smoky psychedelic visuals—each track already dazzled by a universe of deep-space stars, clouds of galactic gases, and the bright trails of wandering balls of ice.”
The group has also revealed that it will be playing at the Rev Room on Monday September 15th. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show is expected to start at around 9:30. You can also read a Q&A with the group by the Arkansas Times.
