Boots Riley and Pam the Funkstress of the Coup deserve serious accolades, but for music as solid as their beliefs. Building on almost fifteen years of “raptivism,” their 2006 Epitaph release Pick a Bigger Weapon appeared to loud acclaim, and since then the roar from all corners has gotten deafening. Amid a sea of tepid protest art, the Coup displays cutting political lyricism and equally creative songs. The superfunky “Laugh/Love/F***” proclaims I’m here to laugh, love, fuck and drink liquor/and help the damn revolution come quicker. It’s party music with a message. Offstage, Riley stays visible with guest spots on Fox News and Real Time with Bill Maher. Last month, the Coup released “Captain Sterling’s Little Problem” as a free download designed to help convince soldiers in Iraq to mutiny. Now he’s signed on with the Future of Music Coalition’s net neutrality campaign. Look for his May 18 commencement speech to grads of Cal’s Ethnic Studies Department.
.Best Album: Most ethical lyricists
The Coup's Pick a Bigger Weapon
