At the tail end of the disco/early Prince-driven “ShoYoAss”, the Coup’s emcee Boots Riley boosts an old hook from Controversy, re-phrasing it slightly: “It’s introduction of a new breed of leaders / Stand up and organise.” Where (until lately) Prince was always connecting liberation to sexuality, often in vague or mystical terms, the Coup speak literally of economic liberation, while riding a groove that’s sexy as hell. Pick a Bigger Weapon makes a constant call for new leaders willing to use whatever weapons are necessary to improve conditions for the poor and the downtrodden. Meanwhile, the weapons the Coup use are wit, frankness, storytelling, poetry, smooth soul music and raw funk.
Never underestimate the power of music. With each album, the Coup’s lyrical messages come across more strongly because the music has grown tighter, fuller, and more alluring. The liner notes for Pick a Bigger Weapon list the group’s members as Boots Riley, DJ Pam the Funkstress, and “various friends with things that make noise”. In other words, this time they make particularly good use of a tight band, with deep bass, fiery guitar licks, a B-3 organ, and a horn section.