Shabazz Palaces: Are You... Can You... Were You? (Felt)

Though Black Up by Shabazz Palaces was not reviewed for Letters From A Tapehead, I did try and give the release some ink. I haven’t heard the album in its entirety, though I still mean to, but every song I have heard has been either very interesting or just well crafted. Verses with content, decent loops or at least melodic samples. All of this seems so rare in hip-hop nowadays, though I’m the first to admit some ignorance with regard to whatever’s happening on the streets, which is where you find real hip-hop anyway.

All info comes courtesy of Sub Pop.

SHABAZZ PALACES ANNOUNCE NEW TOUR DATES & VIDE FOR “ARE YOU…CAN YOU…WERE YOU...? (FELT)
2011 was a stellar year for Seattle’s Shabazz Palaces, the sonic movement of Palaceer Lazaro (Ishmael Butler). The debut release, Black Up, was one of the most critically celebrated records of 2011, landing of the Best of lists at SPIN, LA Times, The New Yorker, Pitchfork and more. Shabazz Palaces has no plans to slow down in 2012, announcing the groups first official stateside touring, kicking off on April 3 in Minneapolis, with European dates predating their North American tour.

To remind you how truly awesome Shabazz Palaces really is, we thought we would share with you the new video for the groups song “Are You... Can You... Were You...? (Felt)“, which was directed by Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes. You can watch the video by clicking here.

For more information on Shabazz Palaces please visit: http://www.subpop.com/artists/shabazz_palaces

Shabazz Palaces Tour dates:

Saturday, February 18, 2012 La Cave aux poetes, Roubaix France
Sunday, February 19, 2012 Stereolux, Nantes France
Monday February 20, 2012 Les Trinitaires, Metz France
Tuesday February 21, 2012 Strasbourg La Laiterie, France
Friday February 24, 2012 Palace, St Gallen Switzerland
Saturday, February 25, 2012 Stall 6, Zurich Switzerland
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Astoria, Turin Italy
Thursday, March 01, 2012 Circolo degli Artisti, Rome Italy
Friday, March 02, 2012 Bronson, Ravenna Italy
Saturday, March 03, 2012 Studio 2 Vigonovo (Venezia) Italy
Tuesday, April 3, 2012 The Whole, Minneapolis MN (All Ages Show)
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 Mad Planet. Milwaukee WI
Thursday, April 5, 2012 Lincoln Hall, Chicago IL
Friday, April 6, 2012 Magic Stick, Detroit MI
Saturday, April 7, 2012 The Horn Gallery, Gambier OH
Sunday, April 2012 The Shadow Lounge, East Liberty PA
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 Lee’s Palace, Toronto ON
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 II Motore, Montreal QC
Thursday, April 12, 2012 Iron Horse, Northampton MA
Friday, April 13 2012 SOB’s, New York NY 
Saturday, April 14, 2012 Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn NY

Sincerely,
Letters From A Tapehead