Notoriously outspoken, political Hip Hop ensemble The Coup has never gotten more attention then when they were planning to release their fourth album in 2001 – of all years – with the cover featuring … wait for it … Pam the Funkstress and Boots Riley blowing up the World Trade Center, yep the whooole thing! Of course it was designed before the actual attacks happened and it was hastily altered, but the damage was done. Talk about bad timing.

It’s a shame it took a controversial cover to put them in the spotlight. Though I don’t get why they’re not raking in the prizes, Oprah-billions, and hushed reverence from the general public in the first place. Not that they seem to care much about that sorta stuff, but what is that about? They’re contagiously funky, critically acclaimed, their lyrics are meaningful and engaging, but they always make me want to shake my groove thang as well … Erm, to put it less ridiculously, they’re also crazy fun and danceable. In 1994 their third, most popular full-length release Steal This Album did give them a bigger audience, thanks to great singles like the amazingly titled “Me & Jesus The Pimp in a ‘79 Granada Last Night”.

I love their music to pieces and their oeuvre is more than worth the praise, but what I really want to talk about is a specific song that became an instant classic from the moment I heard it: “My Favorite Mutiny” featuring Talib Kweli and Black Thought from their 2006 album Pick A Bigger Weapon. “Cars and Shoes” used to be my favorite, but this song changed everything. If the boombastic music doesn’t sweep you off your feet, the lyrics will. It’s powerfull, passionate and makes me want to protest random stuff. If, in some alternate universe, I ever become a boxer, I’d want this song to be blaring from the speakers.

   The Coup ft. Black Thought & Talib Kweli – My Favorite Mutiny

If you want to hear more hop on over to The Coupspace, for some reason they’re giving it away for free! Bless ‘em.