Today, September 6th marks the release of Shabazz Palaces’ otherworldly new track, “Woke Up In A Dream.”
 
Shabazz Palaces is masterminded by vocalist and producer Ishmael Butler and remarkably, this gliding and expansive new offering features his son, the incomparable Lil Tracy.  Ishmael flexes his lyrical prowess in a cascading meditation with a snaking bass groove, whilst Tracy delivers his vivid and cinematic diamond flow brilliance.
 
Speaking on the genesis of “Woke Up In A Dream,” Ishmael explains: “My son hella influences me, and not just musically.  He was home visiting, and we were just lounging around, talking shit and smoking weed, etc. Over the course of the night, he would go in and lay stuff down. Between breaks for eating and watching the game, he’d go back in, layering and sculpting and then floating the background ghost vocals.  I was trying to play it cool, but I was geeked - when I heard what he did, I was like, “DAMN, this dude is really HIM.”
 
The single is from Robed in Rareness, a new seven-song mini album, worldwide on October 27th, 2023. Watch the animated visualizer directed by Jacob Kasar.
 
Robed in Rareness is the first full collection of new material since The Don of Diamond Dreams, their critically acclaimed LP released in 2020.
 
The album features collaborations with Seattle’s Royce The Choice and Porter Ray, Colorado Springs’ O Finess, Butler’s twin Lavarr the Starr, Bronx’s Geechi Suede (of Camp Lo), and Butler’s son, the aforementioned Lil Tracy.
 
Robed in Rareness was produced by Shabazz Palaces, mixed by Erik Blood, and engineered by Ishmael Butler and Blood at Studio4 West in Venice, California, with mastering by Warren Defever at Third Man Mastering.
 
Robed in Rareness’ lead-off single “Binoculars (feat. Royce The Choice)” was released last month, which Pitchfork says “sounds like it’s coming from a gravity-free bunker.” Get lost in the animated visualizer for “Binoculars (feat. Royce The Choice),” also directed by Kasar.  
 
Shabazz Palaces’ first round of touring in support of Robed in Rareness begins with a short run of east coast dates on Wednesday, September 27th, in Kingston, NY at Tubby’s, and now runs through Sunday, October 2nd in Philadelphia, PA at Milkboy.  The group will also appear at My Morning Jacket’s One Big Holiday event in Quintana Roo, MX, on April 4th, 2023—additional live dates to be announced soon.
 

2023
Wed. Sep. 27 - Kingston, NY - Tubby’s
Thu. Sep. 28 - Toronto, ON - Great Hall
Fri. Sep. 29 - Montreal, QC - Entrepot 77 (Late)
Fri. Sep. 29 - Montreal, QC - POP Montreal Festival (Early)
Sun. Oct. 01 - Washington, DC - DC9
Mon. Oct. 02 - Philadelphia, PA - Milkboy
 
2024
Thu. Apr. 04 - Quintana Roo, MX - Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Fri. Aug. 05 - Quintana Roo, MX - Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Sat. Aug. 06 - Quintana Roo, MX - Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Sun. Aug. 07 - Quintana Roo, MX - Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya

Shabazz Palaces
Robed in Rareness
 
Tracklisting:
1. Binoculars (feat. Royce The Choice)  
2. Woke Up In A Dream (feat. Lil Tracy) 
3. P Kicking G (feat. Porter Ray)     
4. Cinnamon Bun (feat. Lavarr the Starr)
5. Scarface Mace (feat. O Finess)  
6. Gel Bait (feat. Geechi Suede)     
7. Hustle Crossers