AFROPUNK PREMIERE: HYPNOTIC SINGLE ‘DUES’ MARKS NEW FOCUS FOR ELECTRO-SOUL COLLECTIVE ASTRALBLAK

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Electrosoul collective ZULUZULUU has never pulled punches, and their re-emergence as astralblak finds the band pushing their sonic limits, while holding themselves accountable. The song matches a retro synth beat to one of the band’s tightest hooks. Melting synths fill out open spaces beneath a massive beat. As for the name change, it came as the result of soul searching about cultural appropriation and being true to their message as a band:

The main reason for the name change was a matter of authenticity and accountability. Being that none of us is directly related to the actual Zulu tribe of South Africa, we collectively decided that changing the name would be the most respectful course of action. astralblak is universal as in connecting with the universe, it is all encompassing in its narrative of blackness and highlights the diversity in all of our individual experiences as artists and members of the unified diaspora.- astralblak (formerly ZULUZULUU)

ZuluZuluu is now Astralblak

You went to bed a ZuluZuluu fan, but you woke up an Astralblak fan.

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The six-member Twin Cities hip-hop/R&B collective, winner of City Pages' 2016 Picked to Click poll, announced this morning that it has decided to change its name.

"The main reason for the name change was a matter of authenticity and accountability,” the group said in a statement. “Being that none of us is directly related to the actual Zulu tribe of South Africa, we collectively decided that changing the name would be the most respectful course of action. Astralblak is universal as in connecting with the universe, it is all encompassing in its narrative of blackness and highlights the diversity in all of our individual experiences as artists and members of the unified diaspora.”

You can catch the group's very last show as ZuluZuluu at Super Bowl Live on Nicollet Mall this afternoon at 4:00.

And just when I was finally starting to remember how many “u”s to spell ZuluZuluu with.

 

Sound Verite Records present Greg Grease / Muja Messiah / Lady Midnight at Icehouse Feb.1st

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Sound Verite Records present @greazygreg / @mujamessiah / @iamladymidnight with @DJJustNine & @DJKeezy612 at @icehousempls Thurs. Feb.1st

City Pages ' The week's 7 best concerts: Jan. 29 - Feb. 1

Thursday 2.1

Greg Grease, Muja Messiah, Lady Midnight @ Icehouse
Last year, the multitalented MC/producer/drummer Greg Grease of ZuluZuluu dropped his excellent solo album Down So Long, local rap veteran Muja Messiah added two excellent EP collaborations with Roc Marciano to his catalog, and stylish R&B visionary Lady Midnight worked with Afro-Keys to release the great Parables of Neptune EP. In other words, if you want to know where Minnesota hip-hop and soul are headed in 2018, your attendance here is required. With DJ Just Nine and DJ Keezy. 10 p.m. $10/$12. 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis. More info here.—Keith Harris

http://www.citypages.com/music/the-weeks-7-best-concerts-jan-29-feb-1/471560814

 

https://www.icehousempls.com/events/2018/2/1/greg-grease-muja-messiah-lady-midnight