Shabazz Palaces ft: Lil Tracy - Woke Up In A Dream (Single)

Picture Credit: Todd Westendrop

Shabazz Palaces have released intergenerational rap single, Woke Up In A Dream.

Shabazz Palaces is masterminded by vocalist and producer Ishmael Butler and this otherworldly, expansive new track features his son, the incomparable Lil Tracy.

Ishmael flexes his lyrical prowess in a cascading meditation, whilst Tracy delivers vivid and cinematic diamond flow brilliance.  Watch the animated visualiser directed by Jacob Kasar below.

Speaking on the genesis of Woke Up In A Dream, Ishmael explains: "My son hella influences me, and not just musically.  He was home visiting, and we were just lounging around, talking shit and smoking weed, etc.  Over the course of the night, he would go in and lay stuff down.  Between breaks for eating and watching the game, he'd go back in, layering and sculpting and then floating the background ghost vocals. I was trying to play it cool, but I was geeked - when I heard what he did, I was like, DAMN, this dude is really HIM.”

Woke Up In A Dream follows Binoculars featuring Royce The Choice, and both singles are taken from forthcoming mini album, Robed in Rareness, out 27th October on Sub Pop.  The seven-song offering is the first collection of new Shabazz Palaces material since 2020’s rap gem, The Don Of Diamond Dreams and, in addition to Royce The Choice and Lil Tracy, features Porter Ray, O Finess, Lavarr the Starr and Geechi Suede of Camp Lo.