Shabazz Palaces- Swerve... The reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)

Skip navigation!

Shabazz Palaces
“Swerve... The Reeping of All that is Worthwhile (Noir Not Withstanding)” is a three-part medley that is much greater (and stranger) than the sum of its movements. During the first of these, Ishmael Butler's buttery rhymes skate over a slinky beat that sounds like something MF Doom might have slayed a few years years back. The track then introduces guest stars THEESatisfaction, who split Afrofuturist Baduizm with heady free-associative rap. As the song fades, Afrocentric poetics loop in over bongos: “Black is you, black is me / Black is us, black is free.” The core, though, is THEESatisfaction's middle section that swirls with a jazz-inflected entropy. The lyrics say it all: "Boogie woogie let your body feel free / My mind loses connectivity." Best to relax and follow the directions. (Pitchfork)

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

Shabazz Palaces—Black Up
"Swerve... The Reeping of All that Is Worthwhile (Noir Not Withstanding)"

All music is for sampling purposes only. Please go out and buy the artists' records. If you would like for us to remove a track, please email us at feedback@refinery29.com.

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

More from Entertainment

I Went To The Opening Of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure At Disneyland & ...

Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. They sell it as such, and even though I know it’s a marketing tagline that was probably brainstormed in a boar

by Kathleen Newman-B...

Wicked’s Elphaba Has Always Been Black. Cynthia Erivo’s St...

Elphaba is green. It’s the first thing Glinda says to her in Wicked, the Jon M. Chu-directed blockbuster movie-musical adaptation of Stephen Schwartz’s

by Kathleen Newman-B...

Cruel Intentions Star Sara Silva Isn’t Tied Down By The OG...

When Sara Silva got the call confirming she had landed a role in the new Cruel Intentions TV remake in the spring of 2023, the Bay Area-raised actor was si

by Patricia Karounos

Yes, British Group FLO Uses AAVE — Because Their Sound Is Global

In 2022, British R&B group FLO released their debut single, Cardboard Box, quickly becoming a viral sensation. It’s an anthem for anyone who’s

by Susan Akyeampong

English Teacher’s Brian Jordan Alvarez Satirizes S...

Evan Marquez loves his job, but his job doesn’t always love him back. In FX’s TV series English Teacher, Marquez works in a high school in Austin,

by Nicole Froio

Katie Leung Is Fully In Her Post-Harry Potter Era

When Katie Leung was cast in Bridgerton Season 4 in September, many Harry Potter fans experienced the same sequence of reactions. One: It’s Cho Chang! Th

by Melissah Yang

With The Piano Lesson, It’s Danielle Deadwyler’s Time. Fin...

This edition is all about Danielle Deadwyler in The Piano Lesson, in theaters now and on Netflix Friday, Nov. 22.

by Kathleen Newman-B...

In Dune: Prophecy, Women Actually Do Run The World

On its surface, the Dune universe is run by men. The Dune movies are about the chosen one, Paul Atreides, and his ascension to power among men. And, yes, t

Aldis Hodge’s Cross Lives Up To The Hype & We Can...

Book-to-screen adaptations are a risky endeavor, leaving fans holding their breath in anticipation. Will the magic translate? Cross, the new Amazon Prime V

Sean “Diddy” Combs Sexual Assault Allegations: A Comp...

Trigger Warning: This article contains details of alleged sexual assault and other serious crimes. Sean “Diddy” Combs, once a celebrated music

Kyle Richards: ‘It’s Actually Not Okay To Talk About ...

For 14 years, Kyle Richards has had many difficult moments of her life play out on television. From the complex and often strained relationships with her s

by Melissah Yang

More League Of Legends Adaptations Are Coming, Says ...

After a long awaited three years, Arcane Season 2 is finally here. Premiering on November 9, the steampunk animated series picks up where it left off with

by Melissah Yang