Released: 17/04/20
Shabazz Palaces’ Black Up (2011) was hailed as one of the decade’s best for its murky, jazz-tinged beats and introspective, unpredictable lyricism—a visionary debut that set the tone for the group’s evolving sound. That evolution continues on The Don of Diamond Dreams, their fifth album, blending avant-garde sensibilities with modern hip-hop across 10 tracks in 43 minutes. Highlights include “Fast Learner,” “Chocolate Souffle,” and “Bad Bitch Walking,” featuring contributions from Purple Tape Nate, Stas THEE Boss, Darrius Willrich, OCnotes, Carlos Overall, and Evan Flory-Barnes. Recorded in Seattle and finished in California, it reaffirms Shabazz Palaces’ role as pioneers of futuristic rap.