After releasing several recordings themselves on small time labels, in 2010 they contracted to release an ep with Sub Pop and have collaborated in recordings and on stage with artists such as MC Silk, and THEESatisfaction. They deliver sincere and radical lyrics with sounds and beats that include sounds from around the world. Containing echos of funk, minor-key jazz, London dubstep and mbira sounds they structure their songs outside the 16-bars/chorus/repeat form of much hip hop.Their music won them the first ever Music Genius award from The Stranger in 2010.
The group which also features mixing engineer Erik Blood, often dress in elaborate costumes and masks for their live performances.
For Butler, who never stopped making music since he released his classic album by Digable Planets , ''Blowout Comb'', Shabazz palaces is his latest place to play with ideas. Those ideas have always been simultaneously global in their expansiveness and basement ceiling low in their commitment to hip-hop’s bottom line.
Their video for Belhaven Meridian is a one-shot bw music video, shot in Watts, LA, homage to the 1977 classic film Killer of Sheep, a film set around the Watts Riots. It features a cameo by Ernest Wadell from The Wire.
Dope.
Forerunner Foray
Shabazz Palaces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Building up at the convention
As the hustlers began to arrive
Must have been 9000 or more
That came through the door
The time was 11:55
There were pickpockets and dope peddlers, murderers and thieves
Card shark gamblers with aces up their sleeves
One more blaster for the streets
I was born on the understanding
Stars slung 'cross the heavens
Some might call uneven
My kind call 'em leanin
Bitch boy, pistol aimin'
Black star, minds are schemin'
Fulfill all our dreamin'
That's what's up this evenin'
Extra vacant bangers
Brim broke chain swingers
Space cake horse race AK that nigga lame
God smile on me favours, baby caught the vapors
Magic golden purp running like the filthy lakers
Self saviour cream chaser in my ride later
Crack baker super real just like '88 was
'92 and '92, in '92 we grinded thru
I was there, you're a square
These do not compare
If I'm there in the square you should come and stare
Bring her too, learn a thing or two how a king'll do
Off the cuff, fill my coffers up, pop my collar up
Gunheat to these gunbeats she gone stir it up
Black stallions pull my chariot
My heart's broken (swag)
Time travel fast and far to the last ocean
Punk potion, pimp pirate pushin' plush prose in
Curtains closin'
You ain't knowin' he was just posin'
Map clonin' that's a no-no where I be rollin'
The leads hot how I pop, see now that's a cold one
Constellation roll-call it's a style sport
Winners take all, holler black for the straps report
We respect Mohamed, peace be upon him
Connecting with the pirates
I know where to find it
These niggas shot Cyrus
I'm the icest, wait up on the bottom on some fly shit
Priceless, but down there at the top I can't find shit
Every time I rock it's a tongue-kiss
E.H. Starling, forerunners and a punk fist
Shout out to the B C C C constellation OC, can't stop stop KD
Triple M ra ra C and KB
Bro bro solo though Shaheed stay free
Yung beat find heat where the cake be
Yung Ike all night with that boy Pete
The lyrics of "Forerunner Foray" by Shabazz Palaces paint a vivid picture of a tense convention full of hustlers, pickpockets, and criminals. The singer describes the scene with a sense of detachment, as if they're simply observing it all unfold. In the second half of the song, the focus shifts to the singer's own identity and experiences, with references to stars and a sense of otherworldliness. The lyrics are dense and poetic, with a sense of fragmentation and stream-of-consciousness.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you could feel all the tension
There was a palpable tension in the air
Building up at the convention
It was accumulating as people arrived
As the hustlers began to arrive
A collection of seedy characters was showing up
Must have been 9000 or more
There was a large crowd of people in attendance
That came through the door
Who entered the premises
The time was 11:55
It was getting very late
There were pickpockets and dope peddlers, murderers and thieves
The attendees included criminals of various kinds
Card shark gamblers with aces up their sleeves
Even the non-criminal attendees were cutthroat
Bank robbers, burglars, boosters and pimps
The event was full of unsavory characters
One more blaster for the streets
This song is one more gangsta anthem
I was born on the understanding
I was raised to recognize the truth about my people
Stars slung 'cross the heavens
The universe is vast and beautiful
Some might call uneven
While others may see only chaos
My kind call 'em leanin
My people see something different: order in the chaos
Bitch boy, pistol aimin'
Some people are just weak and violent
Black star, minds are schemin'
I and my fellow black people are often plotting and planning
Fulfill all our dreamin'
We want to achieve great things
That's what's up this evenin'
That's the vibe tonight
Extra vacant bangers
We are producing even more hollow, meaningless music
Brim broke chain swingers
We are living close to the edge and taking big risks
Space cake horse race AK that nigga lame
Our lifestyle is dangerous and destabilizing
God smile on me favours, baby caught the vapors
I believe that God is blessing me and those around me
Magic golden purp running like the filthy lakers
Drugs are flowing everywhere like water in LA
Self saviour cream chaser in my ride later
I am chasing greatness and fortune for myself
Crack baker super real just like '88 was
My drug game is as serious as it was in the old days
'92 and '92, in '92 we grinded thru
I remember the struggles of the past and am continuing to work hard
I was there, you're a square
I have lived the life and know what it's about, unlike you
These do not compare
Your experiences cannot measure up to mine
If I'm there in the square you should come and stare
If you see me in public, you should pay attention
Bring her too, learn a thing or two how a king'll do
Bring your girl and observe how a real man operates
Off the cuff, fill my coffers up, pop my collar up
I am confident and rich, and flaunt my wealth
Gunheat to these gunbeats she gone stir it up
The music triggers a violent reaction in some people
Black stallions pull my chariot
I am the master of my own fate
My heart's broken (swag)
I am devastated, but still stylish
Time travel fast and far to the last ocean
I have seen a lot and done a lot
Punk potion, pimp pirate pushin' plush prose in
I am blending genres and creating something new
Curtains closin'
The end is near
You ain't knowin' he was just posin'
He wasn't really about that life, just pretending
Map clonin' that's a no-no where I be rollin'
Copying someone else's style is unacceptable where I come from
The leads hot how I pop, see now that's a cold one
I am always on the move and staying ahead of the game
Constellation roll-call it's a style sport
We are part of an elite group and have a distinct style
Winners take all, holler black for the straps report
We are winners and always come out on top
We respect Mohamed, peace be upon him
We hold certain figures in high regard
Connecting with the pirates
We are making new alliances and expanding our network
I know where to find it
I have access to what I need
These niggas shot Cyrus
Someone we knew was a victim of violence
I'm the icest, wait up on the bottom on some fly shit
I am cool, even in bad situations
Priceless, but down there at the top I can't find shit
I have everything, but still feel unfulfilled
Every time I rock it's a tongue-kiss
My music is intimate and passionate
E.H. Starling, forerunners and a punk fist
We are paving the way and breaking new ground
Shout out to the B C C C constellation OC, can't stop stop KD
We are showing love to our fellow artists and crew members
Triple M ra ra C and KB
More shoutouts to our circle of friends and collaborators
Bro bro solo though Shaheed stay free
One of our associates is pursuing solo projects while the rest of us stay together
Yung beat find heat where the cake be
Our producers are finding the best beats and sounds
Yung Ike all night with that boy Pete
We are working hard and staying up late to make great music
Lyrics © Fintage House Publishing
Written by: ISHMAEL REGINALD BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tamar potskhverashvili
I was looking for a lyrics in comment and there wasn't any... so here you are, who is also searching for it < 3
Now you could feel all the tension
Building up at the convention
As the hustlers began to arrive
Must have been 9000 or more
That came through the door
The time was 11:55
There were pickpockets and dope peddlers, murderers and thieves
Card shark gamblers with aces up their sleeves
Bank robbers, burglars, boosters and pimps
One more blaster for the streets
I was born on the understanding
Stars slung 'cross the heavens
Some might call uneven
My kind call 'em leanin
Bitch boy, pistol aimin'
Black star, minds are schemin'
Fulfill all our dreamin'
That's what's up this evenin'
Extra vacant bangers
Brim broke chain swingers
Space cake horse race AK that nigga lame
God smile on me favours, baby caught the vapors
Magic golden purp running like the filthy lakers
Self saviour cream chaser in my ride later
Crack baker super real just like '88 was
'92 and '92, in '92 we grinded thru
I was there, you're a square
These do not compare
If I'm there in the square you should come and stare
Bring her too, learn a thing or two how a king'll do
Off the cuff, fill my coffers up, pop my collar up
Gunheat to these gunbeats she gone stir it up
Black stallions pull my chariot
My heart's broken (swag)
Time travel fast and far to the last ocean
Punk potion, pimp pirate pushin' plush prose in
Curtains closin'
You ain't knowin' he was just posin'
Map clonin' that's a no-no where I be rollin'
The leads hot how I pop, see now that's a cold one
Constellation roll-call it's a style sport
Winners take all, holler black for the straps report
We respect Mohamed, peace be upon him
Connecting with the pirates
I know where to find it
These niggas shot Cyrus
I'm the icest, wait up on the bottom on some fly shit
Priceless, but down there at the top I can't find shit
Every time I rock it's a tongue-kiss
E.H. Starling, forerunners and a punk fist
Shout out to the B C C C constellation OC, can't stop stop KD
Triple M ra ra C and KB
Bro bro solo though Shaheed stay free
Yung beat find heat where the cake be
Yung Ike all night with that boy Pete
EyeAmHai
Damn Its cool to see Butler's transition from that digable planets jazz hip hop sound to this contemporary trip-hop sound. Glad to have been a fan of your music since the 90's!
Yuukman
This is exactly the kind of trippy video that this song deserves
Z. Nazzir
i think they nailed it
Mark Davis
Very
good point.
Aura Palmer
I love that this has ZERO dislikes. No haters here. Much love to you all!!
Isaiah Romero
Somebody missed the memo
peepee poopoo
actually Youtube hides all dislikes now on every video so you have no idea if there are any or not unless you are the uploader
tamar potskhverashvili
I was looking for a lyrics in comment and there wasn't any... so here you are, who is also searching for it < 3
Now you could feel all the tension
Building up at the convention
As the hustlers began to arrive
Must have been 9000 or more
That came through the door
The time was 11:55
There were pickpockets and dope peddlers, murderers and thieves
Card shark gamblers with aces up their sleeves
Bank robbers, burglars, boosters and pimps
One more blaster for the streets
I was born on the understanding
Stars slung 'cross the heavens
Some might call uneven
My kind call 'em leanin
Bitch boy, pistol aimin'
Black star, minds are schemin'
Fulfill all our dreamin'
That's what's up this evenin'
Extra vacant bangers
Brim broke chain swingers
Space cake horse race AK that nigga lame
God smile on me favours, baby caught the vapors
Magic golden purp running like the filthy lakers
Self saviour cream chaser in my ride later
Crack baker super real just like '88 was
'92 and '92, in '92 we grinded thru
I was there, you're a square
These do not compare
If I'm there in the square you should come and stare
Bring her too, learn a thing or two how a king'll do
Off the cuff, fill my coffers up, pop my collar up
Gunheat to these gunbeats she gone stir it up
Black stallions pull my chariot
My heart's broken (swag)
Time travel fast and far to the last ocean
Punk potion, pimp pirate pushin' plush prose in
Curtains closin'
You ain't knowin' he was just posin'
Map clonin' that's a no-no where I be rollin'
The leads hot how I pop, see now that's a cold one
Constellation roll-call it's a style sport
Winners take all, holler black for the straps report
We respect Mohamed, peace be upon him
Connecting with the pirates
I know where to find it
These niggas shot Cyrus
I'm the icest, wait up on the bottom on some fly shit
Priceless, but down there at the top I can't find shit
Every time I rock it's a tongue-kiss
E.H. Starling, forerunners and a punk fist
Shout out to the B C C C constellation OC, can't stop stop KD
Triple M ra ra C and KB
Bro bro solo though Shaheed stay free
Yung beat find heat where the cake be
Yung Ike all night with that boy Pete
Angela
These guys... ahead of their time to a fault in the best way. Hip-Hop Culture is alive and well only now its concentrated and stronger, When you can find it...
Ajax D. Gonzo
I’d say it’s pretty dead now. It changed to a simplistic shadow of what it was. Rap is now made for kids