Camp Revival

Shabazz Palaces \”Belhaven Meridian\”Shabazz Palaces \”Belhaven Meridian\”

Shabazz Palace’s general approach seems to categorically follow Saul Williams‘ above mandate. The fusions of North African rhythms and percussion, an attraction to space in the vein of Sun Ra, bottoming out synth bass lines and other electro influences all come together with the 64 Ali type swagger of rapper Ish (former Seattle constituent of Digable Planets). Capitalizing on the mystery of anonymity created by having no web identity and resources (his web site consists of only broke ass links—but you can pick up his two EPs from the store), the power and draw of his music seems to grow more you listen to it (and is maybe also a reason why a blog post can announce a video three months after it hit the web…). The song to the video—which is a dope homage to the 1977 classic Killer of Sheep (a film which Mos Def also referenced earlier this year with his album cover to “The Ecstatic”)—has Ish rapping like in most of his songs from an omniscient perspective as if he were some sort of prophet or griot with a cabalistic vision of American experience.

Ah, a (semi-)new video from Mos Def, for a (mostly) new song. If you know me, which you might, you know that I have deep respect for Mos Def. Needless to say, I am anticipating great things from The Ecstatic. Mos Def has always rhymed from his heart and I expect nothing less from the new album (which drops June 9). He is empowering because he knows the value of language, which he expresses visually in the video. What are you waiting for? Watch it.

Oh, and by the way, he is playing Sasquatch. Saturday at 7:15 on the Wookie Stage. Camp Revival will be there, will you?

I only hope Kanye can hold it together in 808’s and Heartbreak

My other hope is that Mos Def works on a new record instead of another PG-13 movie.