The Return of the Coup
EKAphotography Boots Riley at Outside Lands, 2009
It's been a minute since Oakland's legendary hip-hop group the Coup last played its hometown - nine years in fact, according to frontman and primary songwriter Boots Riley. In that time, the group has played SF and Berkeley -"We did a kind of rehearsal at Black New World 2 years ago," Boots recalls -but Friday's gig at the New Parish is their first "legitimate" O-Town gig since 2000, he says. In that time, Boots has busied himself by going on the road with Galactic, recording and touring with Tom Morello in Street Sweeper Social Club, and writing new Coup material (which he says he hasn't taught to his band yet, so it's doubtful it'll be played Friday)
Even so, the gig has its merits. Besides being just the second show at the new venue, it's also a benefit for the North Oakland Community Charter School, so your ticket fees go to support education for youth. Interestingly enough, it's also the second consecutive show at the New Parish to feature a dude with a big-ass Afro (the other being Alex Cuba). Beginning of a new trend, perhaps? I dunno, but if so, here are some suggestions for the club bookers: Pharaohe Monch, Erykah Badu, Questlove, and Medusa.
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