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Sudan Archives Transforms Kendrick's Smash Into Swaggering "Queen Kunta"
Sudan Archives Transforms Kendrick's Smash Into Swaggering "Queen Kunta"

Sudan Archives Transforms Kendrick Lamar's Smash Into Swaggering "Queen Kunta"

Sudan Archives Transforms Kendrick's Smash Into Swaggering "Queen Kunta"

Photo by Eric Coleman

Scroll down the line-up of Stones Throw's free 20th anniversary festival and you'll likely notice one unfamiliar name from an otherwise very familiar roster: Sudan Archives. According to the label's site, SA hails from Cincinnati and at just 22-years-old is already garnering the attention of a full-blown virtuoso; one part vocalist, another part visceral, loop-heavy violinist. And it's all on display in a new performance video that finds the new signee deconstructing Kendrick Lamar's "King Kunta" and rebuilding it part-by-part as the newly-transformed "Queen Kunta," which doubles as an unlikely anthem even with strings jabbing where spongy bass lines once laid.

Sudan Archives is currently working on her debut album for the legendary Pasadena-based label, which promises to be an eclectic romp of rhythms. Watch her flip K Dot's smash in the video below and be sure to visit her Soundcloud page for continued listening. If you happen to be on the blessed coast next weekend, be sure to check out her set and see what all the fuss is about. Check back for more from Sudan Archives in the weeks and months ahead.