“We are the black leviathan, panther of the deep.”

Tendai ‘Baba’ Maraire of Seattle hip-hop duo Shabazz Palaces has joined up with Hussein Kalonji to form a new act, Chimurenga Renaissance.

The duo are set to release their debut LP, riZe vadZimu riZe, in March via Seattle label Brick Lane (rather than Shabazz Palaces’ usual label home, Sub Pop). The album will feature guest appearances from THEESatisfaction, Dead Prez member M1 and Mall Saint.

Ahead of that the trio have shared the first track, ‘The B.A.D. Is So Good’, which leans on a slightly more traditional hip hop arrangement than Shabazz Palaces’ usual sound but still includes Maraire’s recognisable percussion and kalimba sounds.

According to Exclaim, the press release states: “We were ordained to build a bridge strong enough to span oceans, but don’t fall off. Under the waters, we’re waiting with paws each larger than the head of a lion, rows of teeth, and jaws stronger than a Megaladon. Together, we are the black leviathan, panther of the deep.”

Shabazz Palaces released their jaw-droppingly good debut album, Black Up, on Sub Pop back in 2011 following a handful of self-released EPs, but have stayed pretty quiet over the past couple of years, other than a guest appearance on THEEsatisfaction’s debut album awE naturalE.

Hear ‘The B.A.D Is So Good’: