The Coup

The Coup is a hip-hop band led by rapper, vocalist, and activist Boots Riley, that also enjoyed the presence of the memorable DJ Pam the Funktress in its ranks until her death in 2017. Their musical output has been intermittent and sparse for a band that started in the early '90s. Riley has been a busy person outside of music between his political activism and directing indie movies. They are a highly dynamic band that draws a great deal from '70s funk and electronics to couple them with some old school rapping. With 2013's Sorry to Bother You, they also brought in '90s alt-rock influences that added a hybrid edge to their music. Riley's sharp and sardonic sense of humor wraps his equally sharp political convictions in digestible packages.