VIA & 92.1 WPTS Present: Shabazz Palaces

We’re OH so excited about the upcoming Shabazz Palaces gig on Sunday, April 8th at Shadow Lounge that we couldn’t care less about all the candy we will get doped up on beforehand. VIA continues with the top notch programming for their latest installment of their Presents series, bringing the Seattle-based hip hop powerhouse duo to Pittsburgh on the eastern leg of their 2012 tour in support of their 2011 breakout release Black Up, which appeared on many year-end lists in the blogosphere. After self-releasing 2 EPs, Of Light and Shabazz Palaces, in 2009, the group quickly gained local acclaim in their hometown. Now it’s time for them to shine on the national stage, and what better place to touch down in the PGH than Shadow Lounge?

According to their label, Sub Pop‘s website, Shabazz Palaces are the first music recipients of The Stranger‘s Genius Awards. The Genius Awards are given to outstanding visionaries in literature, film, art, theater, and for the first time ever, music in the Seattle area. They also also performed this past October at New York’s American Museum of Natural History as part of “One Step Beyond,” a monthly series featuring live music and dancing at the Rose Center for Earth and Space. The series, presented by FADER, has featured performances from Kid Sister w/ Kanye West, Passion Pit, Moby, Animal Collective and more. It’s clear Shabazz Palaces is makin’ moves, so we suggest seeing them in the intimate setting of Shadow before they blow up even more!

The first thing you need to do is listen to their debut album. It’s what got me hooked. I’m particularly fond of the last track.

Then you need to buy your ticket. You can buy it here, and you betta believe we suggest buying in advance, because as usual, this shit will probably sell out and then what will you tell your momma when you skip out on Easter dinner early to catch this legit show?

Support for the night includes one of our faves, Expensive Shit, who at this point, needs no introduction. There’s drums, there’s bleeps, there’s bloops, and no – you don’t have to pay a lot to see them you friggin noobs. And of course, our homies Tracksploitation, who recently graced the cover of the City Paper for makin’ moves of their own in the local scene. Solid openers + solid headliner = solid night, if ya ask me.



But ohhhh, we wouldn’t want to close this without a giveaway. That’s what we’re good for here at NYO, are we not!? Simply leave a comment below and tell us who you’d most like to see at this year’s VIA festival. Who knows – they might just be here once fall rolls around… if you’re lucky.