My friend Bessam asks me to play tracks by Shabazz Palaces at every Thirsty Thursday, so of course we went to see them at The Blockley on a Monday. As an added bonus, King Britt was spinning between sets and a friend of a friend's band (Ghost Craters) was the local opener. A few originals and covers (including "Wave of Mutilation") later, Shabazz took the stage and proceeded to alter all preconceptions I had of a hip-hop show. Ish Butler rapped and did live programming while Baba Maraire played various forms of percussion and served as hype man. Hype was the last word I would use to describe the show though. Intense, perhaps even mesmerizing, would describe the experience much better. I went through a progression from 'academically intrigued' through 'thoroughly impressed' to 'life changed' and then celebrated with the jubilant nu disco of !!! briefly before ducking out to catch DJ Kwestion down at Liberty Bar on the way home. Support Sub Pop's only hip-hop group however you can, and check out some shows at The Blockley. They're doing good things.
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