Coup, The

Communist-influenced, socially conscious hip-hop group from Oakland, California, originally comprised of emcees Boots Riley and E-Roc, and DJ Pam the Funkstress. E-Roc left the group in 1997 to become a longshoreman, but Boots and Pam perservered.

The group had a brief moment of worldwide fame at the time of the 9/11 attacks when it was revealed that the proposed cover for their upcoming album Party Music featured Boots blowing up the World Trade Center. This cover was swiftly pulled! It is ironic to note that this discovery was made mere days before the actual attacks.