The Coup

From Tupac to Too Short, the Bay Area has consistently produced a wealth of talented hip-hop artists over the years. Oakland duo the Coup -- made up of MC Boots Riley and DJ/producer Pam the Funkstress -- is yet another exceptional export. The pair's latest effort, Pick a Bigger Weapon,...

By Brandon Daviet

November 30, 2006

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $17,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$3,700

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

From Tupac to Too Short, the Bay Area has consistently produced a wealth of talented hip-hop artists over the years. Oakland duo the Coup -- made up of MC Boots Riley and DJ/producer Pam the Funkstress -- is yet another exceptional export. The pair's latest effort, Pick a Bigger Weapon, aside from being a shoo-in to land on many a critic's year-end list, offers a blistering mix of songs and comedy skits that highlight Riley's incendiary and irreverent lyrical style. Falling somewhere between the political declarations of former peace activist Abbie Hoffman and the over-the-top sarcasm of fellow Oaktown crew the Digital Underground, Riley's lyrical tirades are both poignant and spot-on as he tackles everything from the war in Iraq to his love of shoplifters. Currently backed by a three-piece band that provides a unique dimension to its already compelling live show, the Coup is underground NoCal hip-hop at its best.

Brandon Daviet

A message from Music Editor Emily Ferguson: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s music, events and entertainment scenes.

Support Today