Seattle’s most restless rap experimenter is back — and he’s doing it on his own terms. Shabazz Palaces, who is known to friends and family as Ishmael Butler, has announced the release of his eighth album, It’s a Style Sport, on October 23 via Sub Pop Records. Set to drop mere weeks away, the full-length follows the mini-albums Robed In Rareness (2023) and Exotic Birds Of Prey (2024). Even now, it’s shaping up to be one of the fall’s most anticipated independent hip hop releases.
Lead Single “Ahh World (I Won The Alpha Bet)”
The first preview is “Ahh World (I Won The Alpha Bet),” in which Butler assumes the role of an all-knowing narrator and a surreal counterpart to the self-help hype. He tells the story of his own rise from a fantasy-fuelled, third-person perspective and closes with a list of directives for a successful life. Stereogum describes the track as a burbling spoken-word electro piece with a cinematic sense of scope. The single is accompanied by an animated sci-fi visual from director Jacob Kasar.
Made the Independent Way
It’s a Style Sport is by no means a big-budget production. Butler co-produced the album with longtime collaborator Erik Blood, who also played multiple instruments. Recorded mostly over an eight-day stretch in Seattle, the album’s speed and closeness mirror many independent, artist-led records, where trust between collaborators matters more than studio budgets.
Sub Pop has been referred to as Butler’s long-term home. The label’s own notes say that the longevity and closeness of the relationships on the record gave it a convivial and familiar energy. Stereogum points out that Shabazz Palaces is now essentially Butler’s solo project, though he still gets plenty of help making his records.
The guest list is a virtual “who’s who” of the Seattle music scene, including singer Marquette Miller, guitarist Thaddeus “Thaddillac” Turner, bassists Evan Flory-Barnes and Gerald “Tugboat” Turner, drummer Kassa Overall and saxophonist Carlos Overall. The lineup suggests that musicianship was prioritized over chart-driven features.
An Ode to Rap’s Competitive Past
Sub Pop frames It’s a Style Sport as an ode to the rap game of years past, when ambition pushed MCs to outdo one another. Butler, for his part, describes the spirit he’s chasing as “tough, friendly competition” over style, with substance underneath. Showing a more reflective and upfront side of Butler, it’s a significant shift for an artist frequently known for being opaque and esoteric.
Where to Start if You’re New to Shabazz Palaces
For those exploring Shabazz Palaces for the first time, Black Up is a logical entry point. The recent mini-albums and the eight-minute standalone single “Time Knows Me” show how freely Butler reshapes his sound between releases. For listeners who like experimental, jazz-leaning rap that rewards close listening, It’s a Style Sport is an ideal on-ramp.
Live Dates and Release Details
A show supporting the album took place on August 13 at clipping. ’s Splendor & Misery festival at Knockdown Center in Queens. The lineup also included SPELLLING, ELUCID and Fatboi Sharif. Although additional dates have yet to be announced, fans will likely get more information from Sub Pop and Shabazz Palaces’ official channels very soon.
It’s a Style Sport drops Friday, October 23, 2026.
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