My guest this week is Ishmael Butler, one-third of Digable Planets and the center of Shabazz Palaces. We spoke about the Amazon Prime original series Them, Afrosurrealism, Superfly, the role blaxploitation soundtracks played in the early days of sampling, his love for horror movies, transitioning from Digable Planets and Cherrywine to Shabazz Palaces, the group’s creative process, his views on rap culture 50 years in, and the process behind Shabazz Palaces’ latest project Robed In Rareness.Reel Notes stands in solidarity with the oppressed peoples of Palestine, the Congo, Sudan, Tigray, and Haiti. Please consider donating to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund,  The Palestinian Youth Movement, HealAfrica, FreeTigray, and/or Hope For Haiti.Reel Notes stands in solidarity with SAG-AFTA as they strike for better working conditions and pay for the people who power the movies and TV we love. Please consider supporting them directly by donating to the Entertainment Community Fund or The Snacklist mutual aid fund to get food and drink to strikers across Los Angeles.   Visit Dreadsock.com and use promo code "CINEMASAI" for 10% off your first order!Robed In Rareness is available wherever music is sold, streamed, or stolen. Consider copping from Bandcamp.Follow Shabazz Palaces on Instagram and Twitter: @shabazzpalacesFollow me on Instagram (@cinemasai), Twitter (@CineMasai_), TikTok (@cinemasai), and Letterboxd (@CineMasai)  Support the show