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.
Recollections of the Wraith
Shabazz Palaces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the sunlight falling down, you gotsta find a sound
With that starlight in your eyes, you wanna find surprise
With the neon in your blood, you move to find your love
To-night
(Yeah.) Tonight
(You heard me, Helen, oh yeah.) To-night
One thing
Clear some space out, so we can space out
Clear some space out, so we can space out
Clear some space out, so we can space out
Clear some space out, so we can space out
Starlight, advance on your mind
Anticipation, excitements to climb
Information, choices and sensation
New rules you can play with
Blues: you can shake them
No ironies arise
No predictable surprise, no sarcastic satires
Just ancient patient beings seeing it to it, you'll get high
New off the space ship, dipped in punctuation
Oh what's cracking, get your crew up with your do-up
It's certain to be workin' when you flirtin' with it to us
And the kicks involved, the fix evolves, the mix revolves
Dilemma of this bitch ass cliché.
Rap's gettin' soft
The ghetto sound sprawl.
It bounce wall to wall
Enthrall us and ya'll.
It's music that chews up
This prove it, we dos it
You lose it, it's crucial
All we do is answering the call to…
To-night
Tonight
(Ooh) To-night
(Yeah) Tonight
Yeah, tell em
Clear some space out, so we can space out
Clear some space out, so we can space out
Clear some space out, so we can space out
Clear some space out, so we can space out
I pushed away belt for dark blue
Birds looking at me like, "Who are you cat?"
Hat tilted off my jewels with stars toothin'
Every word that come out my mouth just sparkles up
Nigga, I wish you would. You wish you could
You think you should, but you don't, and you won't
You have another drink, stop and think
Look, you fucking with the crew to get that ship to sink
We don't ra-ra in the club we dance, though
Take a chance, you know that we gots to dazzle
They just clones tossing they own confetti
When the plush crush through, you just stay ready
I do it, be it, see it, feel it, and I free it
And the shit I pop is heated cause I love it and I mean it
So baby, let's touch and agree,
Fucking with me, ain't no telling what you gonna see…
Tonight
To-night
(Yo doc, what you wearing, nigga?) To-night
(Shit, I'm dressing like I was at the Ali/Frasier fight.)
Tonight
Hey
Clear some space out, so we can space out
The lyrics to Shabazz Palaces's song Recollections of the Wraith are both imaginative and introspective. The song begins with a series of lines about finding inspiration and energy from various sources, from moonlight and sunlight to starlight and neon. The repeated refrain - "Tonight, clear some space out, so we can space out" - suggests a desire to escape from the mundane and create something new and exciting.
As the song continues, the lyrics become more abstract and poetic. References to "ancient patient beings" and "new rules you can play with" suggest a fascination with history and tradition, but also a desire to break free from those constraints and explore new creative frontiers. There's a sense of rebellion and experimentation in the lines "Rap's gettin' soft / The ghetto sound sprawl / It bounce wall to wall", as if the artist is challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries.
Overall, Recollections of the Wraith is a song about exploring and expanding the limits of creativity, finding inspiration in unexpected places, and breaking free from the constraints of tradition and convention.
Line by Line Meaning
With that moonlight on your mind, you wonder what you'll find
As you gaze up at the moon, you ponder what awaits you in the future.
With the sunlight falling down, you gotsta find a sound
As the sun shines down, you must discover a unique sound that speaks to you.
With that starlight in your eyes, you wanna find surprise
With stars reflecting in your eyes, you long for unexpected discoveries.
With the neon in your blood, you move to find your love
Fuelled by the vibrancy of neon lights, you are driven to find your passion and purpose.
Clear some space out, so we can space out
We need to create some room to relax and unwind.
Starlight, advance on your mind
The notion of stars and their infinite nature is a profound thought on your mind.
Anticipation, excitements to climb
The prospect of excitement looms with anticipation for the future.
Information, choices and sensation
A multitude of options and sensory experiences enrich your decisions.
New rules you can play with
Innovation allows for fresh approaches to be explored.
Blues: you can shake them
The negative state of mind that accompanies the blues can be overcome.
No ironies arise
There is no deceit or ironic situations to be found.
No predictable surprise, no sarcastic satires
There are no expected surprises or sarcastic jokes to be heard.
Just ancient patient beings seeing it to it, you'll get high
Ancient beings watch over and guide us towards spiritual enlightenment and euphoria.
New off the space ship, dipped in punctuation
Fresh from a spaceship, these beings are covered in symbolic markings.
It's certain to be workin' when you flirtin' with it to us
Success is guaranteed when you engage with these innovative experiences.
And the kicks involved, the fix evolves, the mix revolves
As this musical journey progresses, the beats change and evolve.
Dilemma of this bitch ass cliché.
The common and overdone concepts in society are conflicting.
Rap's gettin' soft
The quality and authenticity of rap music is declining.
The ghetto sound sprawl.
The unique sound of the ghetto is expanding in its reach and influence.
It bounce wall to wall
The sound surrounds and reverberates off of every surface.
Enthrall us and ya'll.
The captivating music dazzles and inspires us all.
It's music that chews up
This music breaks down and analyses societal issues and conventions.
This prove it, we dos it
This experience is proven to be real and authentic, as we embrace it wholeheartedly.
You lose it, it's crucial
You must not let go of this innovative journey, as it is vital.
All we do is answering the call to…
Our sole purpose is to respond to the call of this innovative experience.
I pushed away belt for dark blue
The singer adjusts his belt to wear a darker blue shade.
Birds looking at me like, "Who are you cat?"
The birds around the singer are confused by his presence.
Hat tilted off my jewels with stars toothin'
The artist's hat has stars on it and is worn at an angle to show off his jewellery.
Every word that come out my mouth just sparkles up
The artist's words are poetic and shine with brilliance.
Nigga, I wish you would. You wish you could
The singer challenges others to try to keep up with his brilliance.
You think you should, but you don't, and you won't
Others may aspire to greatness, but few have what it takes to achieve it.
You have another drink, stop and think
The artist urges others to pause and reflect on their actions and decisions.
Look, you fucking with the crew to get that ship to sink
If you meddle with the crew, you risk sabotaging the journey and causing failure.
We don't ra-ra in the club we dance, though
The group does not need to provoke excitement in the club, as their music is enough to get people dancing.
Take a chance, you know that we gots to dazzle
If you take a chance on this innovative experience, you will be dazzled and amazed.
They just clones tossing they own confetti
Others are just copying trends and throwing their own meaningless celebrations.
When the plush crush through, you just stay ready
When the luxurious lifestyle arrives, be prepared and ready to embrace it.
I do it, be it, see it, feel it, and I free it
The singer embodies the innovative experience and expresses it freely.
And the shit I pop is heated cause I love it and I mean it
The singer's music is passionate and authentic, as he truly loves and believes in it.
So baby, let's touch and agree,
Come and join me on this innovative journey and agree that it is something special.
Fucking with me, ain't no telling what you gonna see…
If you engage with me and my innovative experience, you will encounter unpredictable and exciting things.
Yo doc, what you wearing, nigga?
The singer asks what the listener is wearing in a casual, conversational tone.
Shit, I'm dressing like I was at the Ali/Frasier fight.
The listener responds with a humorous remark, stating that he is dressed for a historic boxing match.
Hey
A final, casual exclamation to close out the song.
Lyrics © Fintage House Publishing
Written by: ISHMAEL REGINALD BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Allen Marinovic
I love how he says "Clear some space out so we can space out" and there's so much "Space" between his vocals and the drum beat...which gives it the deep vibe...You know that we gots to dazzle...Genius
Vic
You definitely needs some good headphones or sound system to fully capture this song. Don't listen to this on your phone, tablet, or Laptop speakers or Mono speakers neither. But once you do have some good audio this song sounds beautiful.
Henry Mulligan
My speakers are okay but even the vinyl sounds a little bit not mastered right.
T.C. Bramblett
@wil1018 true of the whole album, I didn't realize its greatness until I heard it under headphones
wil1018
Vic Robbins True.
Andrew G
First heard this in a caravan on a lake in Holland on legal mushrooms. I was 19 then, and now I'm 30, takes me right back
Nina513
This was my fave song on the entire album...
Summer 2011 was beautiful and LIT.
#MEMORIES
VictoriaLake
YOOOOOOOOOOO for me it was also...2011 was something in general lol
tony harris
This is my favorite song on the album. I'm in love with the beat!
TheMadnessFlow
This song is fucking incredible The lyrics are fuckin awesome and that vocal sample... GODDAMN