Today, October 27th, marks the release of Shabazz Palaces’ Robed in Rareness, the first full collection of new material since The Don of Diamond Dreams, their critically acclaimed LP released in 2020.

Shabazz Palaces is masterminded by vocalist and producer Ishmael Butler, whose unstinting drive to reimagine hip-hop - even as he enters his fifth decade on Earth - remains undimmed. With Robed in Rareness, there’s a respectful eye on the past, an embrace of an ever-evolving present, and its feet are firmly planted in the future. It features collaborations with the likes of 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 incomparable Lil Tracy. 

Get lost in the new Robed in Rareness visualizers for “Cinnamon Bun (feat. Lavarr the Star), “P Kicking G (feat. Porter Ray),  “Gel Bait (feat. Geechi Suede), and “Hustle Crossers” – four interdimensional journeys featuring Shabazz Palaces’ chosen comrades, and directed by returning animator Jacob Kasar (“Woke Up In a Dream” and “Binoculars” visualizers). Link here.

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.

Shabazz Palaces’ touring in support of Robed in Rareness continues with a performance at LA3C Festival in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 12th. He will also support Jenny Lewis on her Joy’All tour beginning Saturday, December 2nd at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre and ending Friday, December 8th in Hollywood, CA at the Hollywood Palladium. 

In 2024, the group will also appear at My Morning Jacket’s One Big Holiday event in Quintana Roo, MX, on April 4th—additional live dates to be announced soon. 

2023

Sun. Nov. 12 - Los Angeles, CA - LA3C @ Theater at Ace Hotel

Dec. 02 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre *

Dec. 03  - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre *

Dec. 05 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield Theatre *

Dec. 08 - Hollywood, CA - Hollywood Palladium *

* w/ Jenny Lewis

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

What people are saying about Shabazz Palaces’ Robed in Rareness:

“Butler offers seven tracks whose energy swings between chaotic and cool.” - THE WIRE

“With a host of new collaborators, Shabazz Palaces’ sound is pushed and pulled in multiple directions at once, without once neglecting the interplanetary funk mutant hip hop sound they have always excelled in.”  THE QUIETUS

“Ishmael Butler finds company to share his one-of-a-kind vision with on his brief sixth LP, making his quest for new Afrofuturistic frontiers something more communal.” FLOOD

“Shabazz Palaces has been focused on raising the corporeal anchor and setting sights on a new world, soundtracked by synth-helmed stargazing sonics. Presented as a mini-album, the seven-song Robed In Rareness furthers Butler’s mission.” Album of the Day - BANDCAMP