Shabazz Palaces - Black Up This is pretty interesting. A mysterious indie hip hop group releases an EP with little-to-no information trail leading to the masterminds. I haven’t heard the EP, entitled Of Light yet. This is the follow up. Now we know the leader of this group is Palaceer Lazaro, who’s real name is Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler, is an Emcee within the group. Their is also a girl who sings on 2 songs. The most impressive song here is Are You Can You Were You (Felt). It starts at a slow walk, and then moves into a sunny skip. The Emcee repeats, “It’s a feeling,” thinking out loud. When the beat changes again, the Emcee is flowing similarly, but the break comes on point, and the music plays out. This isn’t rap that relies on quick wit, it relies on the open, spacey beats, and their are plenty of those to go around. Their are plenty of Middle Eastern and African influences, basketball player references, jazz samples, and bass wobbles. It’s all very involved and inventive. Shabazz are masters of ad libbing, in the same way Waka Flocka Flame and Tyler, the Creator are. And the music is always changing, transforming. Each song can have several reincarnations of itself before it settles down. I suggest this album. It’s very different, never singular. It’s a group project, from a group we will learn more about in the years to come. They are getting the attention they deserve because of this album. Good for them.