where Firebird

when Friday, Sept. 19

price $15

What are you doing this Friday night? Nothing? Great! You now have the perfect opportunity to check out experimental hip-hop group Shabazz Palaces. Originally from Seattle, this duo consists of Ishmael Butler of Digable Planets and Tendai “Baba” Maraire. Together, they combine futuristic sounds with smooth rhymes to create innovative, forward-thinking hip-hop, and they are bringing their unique sound to the Firebird, St. Louis’ signature intimate and grimy dive-bar venue.

The group first appeared in 2009 when it anonymously released two EPs before debuting officially under the name Shabazz Palaces with its 2011 album “Black Up.” The record was met with immediate critical acclaim, especially due to its race-conscious message and hard-hitting lyrics. The duo’s most recent album, titled “Lese Majesty,” dropped over the summer, receiving generally positive reviews across the board. Not only does the record invigorate listeners with unexpectedly jazzy tracks throughout, but the lyrics also both implicitly and explicitly criticize mainstream rap, providing audiences with an alternative to the never-ending cookie-cutter tracks that fill hip-hop charts these days.

If you’re a fan of Clipping or the late Death Grips, you will dig the quirky, atmospheric and space-y sounds that manage to coexist beautifully with Butler’s rhythmic verses. However, Shabazz Palaces is nowhere near as aggressive as Clipping, nor are they as volatile as Death Grips. Their music is definitely easier on the ears for listeners who are not as familiar with the genre, so the show will appeal to a wider audience. With catchy songs like “#CAKE,” Shabazz Palaces will keep their audience bumping and swaying with the dreamy psychedelic tunes and crisp vocals.

Catch Shabazz Palaces at 8 p.m. on Sept. 19 at the Firebird. Tickets are $15.