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

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[/I] 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.