Is The Coup’s 'Bigger Weapon' Pop or Politics?

The Coup, a hip hop duo of MC Boots Riley and DJ Pam The Funktress, just dropped a new album called Pick A Bigger Weapon. It’s their fifth, and remains true to form with seditious political and anti-capitalist messages set to fist-pumping funk.

Listening to The Coup is enjoyable as it has ever been, but for me, the new album raises the same old questions: Do I believe in the message, or do I appreciate the art? Am I eventually convinced that capitalism is the regular guy’s greatest nemesis, or am I summarily blown away by Boots’ flows and Pam’s turntablism?

The musical question is easier to answer. Just like previous albums, Pick A Bigger Weapon doesn’t stray too far from it’s Parliament-style funk roots, so it’s hard not to like. The difference this time is more Prince-influenced synth sound, sped up beats and harder bass and guitar (Audioslave/Rage guitarist and fellow activist Tom Morello guests) – which is why it evokes fist-pumping more so than ass-shaking.

Boots is known for his dexterity on the mic, but Pick A Bigger Weapon solidifies that he is one of best MCs in the game. The most obvious example is My Favorite Mutiny, a three-verse track that Boots (verse 2) shares with Black Thought from the Roots (verse 1) and Talib Kweli (verse 3). In both flow and lyrical quality, Boots puts these two master lyricists to shame, and makes this song a must-have for any hip hop fan – if only to judge for yourself. [My Favorite Mutiny – free download]

Then comes the analysis of Boots’ message – a much more complex endeavor. It’s not like some fluorescent-hued paper chaser can really smash up their office and hang the boss like the new album art suggests. And it’s not like the refrain on Head (of State) talking about George W. Bush and Saddam Hussein blowing each other imparts any political profundity. But the message, just like the music, is far deeper than the surface level hooks lead on.

Listen closer to Head (of State) and it provides detailed chronology up to and through the Bush family’s cozy relationship with Hussein. Listen closely to the tales of a street hustler who lost his job on We Are The Ones [free download], and you start to understand why Boots is a crusader for the underdog – especially when he follows an anecdote of a store robbery with this: “But I don’t wish these actions to be glorified / If there was a plan I’d be eager to listen / To not sleep in the park in the fetal position.”

So, with all this, I go back to my original question: Do I believe in The Coup’s message or do I appreciate the art? I think it’s Pam's scratch routines on songs like Ass Breath Killers that keep me listening, and the message is slowly making sense to me.

I question whether I agree with everything Boots says, but I am compelled enough by the art to keep on tuning in. I get the same feeling listening to Boots as I do watching Bill Maher. They both spit venomous truth, and they both package it up flawlessly. Boots Riley is the Bill Maher of the hip hop world because he’s fearless, he knows his issues cold, and he is always entertaining.

DOWNLOADS
>> My Favorite Mutiny (song)[free]
>> We Are The Ones (song) [free]
>> Pick A Bigger Weapon (album) [itunes]
>> Party Music (album) [itunes]

MORE ON THE COUP
The Coup Website
The Coup on Wikipedia