Shabazz Palaces Live at Boiler Room

While you were passed out during 4th of July weekend, enigmatic Seattle rap outfit Shabazz Palaces (and Disclosure) met up at London's Boiler Room for a set of special performances. For fans of the former, a ten minute piece of the lucky performance is available below.

New Shabazz Palaces video - An Echo From The Hosts That Profess Infinitum

It's been nearly two years since the release of the still fantastic Black Up from Seattle's enigmatic rap outfit Shabazz Palaces, but director Joris Grelet finally debuted the official video for "An Echo From The Hosts That Profess Infinitum."

In other Shabazz news, frontman Ishmael Butler has taken over Gorilla vs. Bear today, posting whatever he so feels. Check that out in the link above, otherwise watch the new video below.

Ode To Octavia, Pt. 12: (Sparkles) ... Recollections Of The Wraith, with Shabazz Palaces

Shot by members of The Black Constellation, this marvelous, visionary short film (Sparkles) ... Recollections Of The Wraith uses two tracks from Shabazz Palaces to offset the wondrous visionary spectacle. The short film is the 12th part in the group's homage to award-winning science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler, who died in 2006.

The group used the enthralling, deeply naturalistic locations of Washington state's Methow Valley, the Cascade foothills, and the town of Carnation (which has the Tolt-MacDonald Park and Campground). Watch it below.

Animal Collective - New Town Burnout (Shabazz Palaces remix)

One of the standout tracks from Animal Collective's upcoming Monkey Been To Burn Town (can't get enough of that title) remix EP comes from West coast avant-garde rapper group Shabazz Palaces. The twisted take on Centipede Hz track "New Town Burnout" comes with distant aural spacing and free-falling verses from Ishmael Butler, turning it into a deconstructed eight-minute burner.

Monkey Been To Burn Town, which also features remixes from Gang Gang Dance member Brian DeGraw, Teengirl Fantasy, and Tha Traxman, is due out in vinyl and as a digital download May 27 from Domino Records. Those who pre-order the 12" will receive the Brian DeGraw remix of "Monkey Riches" immediately.

Our Newest Obsession: Clipping

Forgive me. My words to describe whatever the hell Clipping is comes directly from fellow 405 writer Wil Cook in his article about the other-wordly Los Angeles rap group.

"Clipping seem to be the logical progression from the Dalek, Death Grips and Shabazz Palaces' stream of consciousness. Two guys making rhythmical Tim Hecker style noise made into perfect swelling waves of cerebral hip hop."

In another word, the streamlined chaos of Clipping's midcity LP, available on the group's Bandcamp, is unheard of. The beats are disorienting, the pulse is fast, and the rhythyms are absolutely jarring. midcity is an experience that cannot be comprehended.

Aesthetically pleasing is out the window - midcity is furious art, made for the most visceral curiosities. For a taste, listen to "guns.up" below and just be ready.