Shabazz Palaces is one of those musical endeavors that stretches the concept of musical genre from what it is toward what it can become. If you looked for them in a record store, you’ll find ‘em filed under hip-hop, but Palaceer Lazaro (Ishmael Butler) and Fly Guy ‘Dai (Tendai Maraire) are pioneers of a new, as-of-yet undefinable sound, which in this age of classification and dissection makes it easier to just listen for a change.
Naturally, music that’s this far ahead of the curve would coalesce perfectly with like-minded clothing designers, so it’s not surprising that a cut from from Shabazz Palaces’ latest release, Lese Majesty, soundtracked a short film from KENZO in support of their SS14 collection earlier this year. Butler also appears in the video, along with model Grace Mahary.
We took a quick minute to chat with Butler, who, true to form, turned the usual interview questions on their heads with answers that were honest and charismatic.
THE THREAD: The definition of lèse-majesté is “a crime against a sovereign power”, like treason. Why did you choose it as the name of the new record?
ISHMAEL BUTLER: To sonically indict the proliferators of the insanely mediocre who label their anemic results “hip hop” or “art” or “fashion” or “style” or “culture.” The phrase is perfect to illustrate how we (us of constellatory ranking) skylark outside of uniforms with the sharpnesses the ‘hoods we come from honed us to. To focus less on the individual in this increasingly selfie-cidal atmosphere.
How do you feel Lese Majesty differs musically from your previous release, Black Up? Did you and Tendai approach its creation any differently?
Me and bro are instinctive music-makers. LM was recorded in a whole different studio environ than BU, after many years as well so… Self description/analyzation is kinda lame-o, too, so we don’t do it.
The opening track, “Dawn in Luxor”, is the soundtrack to a very cool short film (above) from KENZO and director Kahlil Joseph, which you also star in. How did that all come to fruition?
Kenzo contacts K. K has an idea. This idea includes me. He calls me, I say hell yes broski.
Besides Shabazz Palaces, you also do A&R for SubPop. Are there any bands or musicians you’re really into right now?
Many but this is intimate info only shared with my colleagues until something happens. But Ariel Pink I’ll always love, and thousands of others too and Anika and Lil’ Herb and Mitchy Slick and…
What’s on tap for Shabazz Palaces for the rest of the year?
Two IPAs and preferably a stout of some kind.
Check out another one of our favorite Shabazz Palaces tracks and then go see them live. You will not regret it.
—Jenny Yule
via The Thread Blog http://ift.tt/1nc5irl
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