Raymond “Boots” Riley is not your average, modern-day rapper. Far from a world of self-indulgence, materialism, Cristal and platinum chains, the Oakland-based activist–cum-music artist is distinguished for his campaigning against social inequality.

Active in the music industry for over 20 years now, Boots entered the game as leader of the controversial political rap duo The Coup, a group known throughout hip hop circles as a highly respected socio-political force.

Since then he also formed a group with Rage Against the Machine’s equally politically vocal guitarist Tom Morello, as well as being at the forefront of Occupy Oakland and the fight against oppression.

As The Coup get set to embark on their first official European tour, Boots kindly gave up his time to answer some questions on his past, present and future projects. READ FULL INTERVIEW…

Produced by Mark Ronson, the album will be released on April 23 and features guest appearances from Martha Wainwright, Nick Zinner, Sean Lennon, Nels Cline and Andrew Wyatt.

The album has been described by the singer as “the most pop album I’ve ever made” and, according to Wainwright was influenced by the likes of David Bowie, Elton John and Freddie Mercury.

The song, which was recorded for Converse’s ‘Three Artists.One Song’ campaign, is available from Converse.com/doyathing and features appearances from Outkast’s Andre 3000 and LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy.

James Hewlett, the group’s co-creator, is currently working on a video to accompany the song as well as designing a new Converse shoe range.

So far Converse’s ‘Three Artists.One Song’ campaign has resulted in a number of interesting projects, including a collaboration between Pharrell, Santigold and Julian Casablancas and a track put together by Kid Cudi, Best Coast and Vampire Weekend.

The British musician finally released his long-awaited Meta project in 2010 and has since been experimenting and sharing music with his dedicated fanbase.

Grech, who wrote an open letter to fans in December thanking them for their continued support, claims to be without a record deal and working alone.

The last official studio album that the singer-songwriter recorded was March Of The Lonely in 2007.

Seek

Ground Rush

Abyss

Titled Love Interruption, the song is available to hear online and appears almost one year after his former band, The White Stripes, announced their split.

In a press release, White said: “I’ve put off making records under my own name for a long time but these songs feel like they could only be presented under my name.

“These songs were written from scratch, had nothing to do with anyone or anything else but my own expression, my own colors on my own canvas.”

Love Interruption will be available to purchase digitally later on today, while the album itself is to be released April 23.