Hip-hop duo Shabazz Palaces consists of Ishmael Butler and Tendai Maraire. They are based out of Seattle, Washington. Butler was previously part of the group Digable Planets and won a Grammy for their 1993 single, “Rebirth of Slick (Cool like Dat).” The two met in Seattle after Butler had quit making music, and Maraire persisted that they form a duo together and that Butler return to his music career.
After anonymously releasing two EPs, “Eagles Soar, Oil Flows” and “The Seven New” in 2009, Shabazz Palaces signed with the label Sub Pop, most famously known for signing groups like Nirvana and Soundgarden. In 2011, they released their critically-acclaimed debut album, “Black Up.” The album was named number one on the “Seattle Times’ Local Top #10” in 2011. Their second album, “Lese Majesty,” was released July 2014. The duo are also members of the Black Constellation, a group of artists, designers, and musicians who host “Black Weirdo” parties in Seattle, New York, Minneapolis, and Toronto. Shabazz Palaces has a unique sound that is sometimes described as jazz-rap.
Electronic, Music
Hip-Hop, Music
Country, Music
Music, Rock