The Coup emerged from Oakland in the early '90s, dropping its debut—Kill My Landlord, featuring the hit single "Dig It"—in 1993. Several more records (Genocide & Juice, Steal This Album, and Party Music) followed, with the last of those making headlines due to its controversial Twin Towers cover art. Defiantly anti-establishment and pro-revolutionary, The Coup's frontman, Boots Riley, is a outspoken activist heavily involved in various political movements (such as anti-war groups and Occupy). Over the years, The Coup's music has become more and more message-oriented. While the group has been using a live band for awhile now, Sorry to Bother You is its most non–hip-hop project to date; it's concept album much heavier on the punk-pop guitars than traditional beats and samples. Lyrically it's still rock-solid and reliably anti-authority, but older fans might be surprised by The Coup's new sonic direction. Check out "You Are Not a Riot," "The Guillotine," and "We've Got a Lot to Teach You, Cassius Green."
More By The Coup
- Rebel Diaz
- Run The Jewels
- The Gift of Gab
- Lyrics Born
- Latyrx