The last time Shabazz Palaces were in Los Angeles was July of last year 2011. Since then, us city dwellers have been somewhat lacking in the established conscious, self-aware Hip-Hop department. On July 20th at The Echo in Silverlake, that thirst was finally quenched. Soulful, indigenous looking people of color from all over funneled into the building anticipating a show that would prove to be excellent in more ways than one. Black Spade and Stony Rock of the Hawthorne Headhunters hosted the event in a refreshingly unconventional way by conversing back and forth with the crowd like they were old friends.
The line-up included Elephant & Castle, my second personal favorite behind Shabazz Palaces and The Log.Os ( a soul tingling post trip esque headed by producer Ken Bts) who I am pleased to say we have an upcoming interview with. Psych Indie Rock, experimental upstarts Sonnymoon, Crimkills, Samiyam, Gonjasufi, Los Angeles Veteran Ras G and headliner Shabazz Palaces.
How many times do you go to an event where the opening performance ended up being the most memorable at the end of the night? The Log.Os (Ken Bts, Nikko Gray & Iman Omari) left the crowd with a mix of emotions ranging from but certainly not limited dazed, confused and enlightened. Faces in the crowd seemed to say “How did we come to have the good fortune to see such an act?” “Is this karma?” The Log.Os is surely a group that you want to get affiliated now. Sonnymoon blessed the stage in a brain shaking ritualistic manner channelling great artist from the dawn of psychedelic music. The quartet forges a unique sound using a varying range of instruments from guitar to sitar. After Sonnymoon things started to take a different turn from Psych Indie Rock to Hip Hop. Samiyam’s beat set was laden with ear tingling samples and soul molesting bass drops.
Trimming through the fat of the night, we turn our attention to Shabazz Palaces. Although the duo has only been around for about three years, they have already made a cavernous impression and have a devoted following of people; young and old who are searching for more when it comes to Hip Hop. Ultimately, people who are looking to de-calcify their Pineal Gland. If you understood that last sentence Shabazz Palaces is DEFINITELY for you. Ishmael Butler aka ‘Palaceer Lazaro’ and Tendai Maraire lace lyrics braided with obscure slang paraphrases speak to the self aware listener and builds over cemented knowledge that we are more than what media, social systems and even our parents think we are. Although the sound system was not fully accommodating and somewhat limited, the sound the event was more than a success and soundly (pun intended) memorable.
– Eric F. Estrada
All photos by Jenny B.