The Coup

The Coup is the name of a Marxist hip-hop group fronted by "Boots" Riley. Currently the only other member is Pam the Funkstress. They are based in Oakland, California. They formed as a three-member group in 1992 (the third, E-Roc, left on amicable terms after their second album), with the debut album Kill My Landlord. In 1994 they released their second album, Genocide and Juice. For the next few years they released nothing, but came back in 1998 with the independently-produced but critically-acclaimed Steal This Album. In 2001, they released Party Music to widespread praise; however, due to distribution problems sales of the album were low.

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The Coup is politically radical in their music and aligns themselves with other radical hip-hop groups like Dead Prez. Their music is characterized by electronic sounds and bass-driven backbeats overlaid by humorous, cynical and sometimes violent lyrics criticizing capitalism, prostitution, American politics, and police brutality, among other things.

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They gained some national attention for the cover art of their recording Party Music, which depicted group members Pam the Funkstress and Boots standing in front of the twin towers of the World Trade Center as they are destroyed by huge explosions, with Boots pushing the button on the detonator.The cover art was finished in June, 2001. Luckily, the album's planned release date was just after the events of the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks. The cover art was withdrawn hastily. There was no connection between the band and the attacks. The album release was held back as alternative cover art was prepared.

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The Coup's song '5 Million Ways to Kill a CEO' has garnered intense criticism, specifically on the Fox News Channel.

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Marxist: REDIRECT Marxism...

Hip-hop: Hip hop is a cultural movement that originated in the working class communities of New York City, United States, in the late 1970s. Other elements include beatboxing, hip hop fashion, and slang. Since first emerging in the South Bronx, hip hop culture has spread around the world. When hip hop music ...

Oakland, California: Oakland, founded in 1852, is a major city on the east side (also called East Bay) of San Francisco Bay in Northern California in the United States. To its north lies Berkeley, home to the famous university campus (University of California, Berkeley). To its west stands San Francisco, across the Ba...

The Coup related Images and Photos (experimental)

Grand Duchess Elizabeth with Guards During the Coup d'Etat of 1741 1913	Fedille-Coup Monte	Un Beau Coup de Pied	Big Brother Coup d’état T-Shirt
Big Brother Coup d'état T-shirt	Big Brother Coup d'état Women's T-shirt	Big Brother Coup d’état Women's T-Shirt	The 19th Brumaire Bonaparte's Coup D'Etat
Revolt in the Poultry Coup	The Earl of Essex Deprived of Favour at Court Planned a Coup to Oust His Enemies