Shabazz Palaces

Behind the name Shabazz Palaces lies the new project from Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler, known to rap fans for his involvement in the New York trio Digable Planets in the early 1990s. Like a butterfly, the rapper flies from city to city, from project to project. Based in Seattle, he formed Cherrywine, whose psychedelic rap album Bright Black was released in 2003. In 2009, he was reborn as Shabazz Palaces, with musical partner Tendai Maraire. The duo became the first rap name to sign with the Sub Pop label. The album Black Up, released in summer 2011, follows two EPs and some memorable concerts. Still in tandem on collaborations with THEE Satisfaction or Chimurenga Renaissance, the rapper and musician continue the Shabazz Palaces adventure with the album Lese Majesty, released in 2014.