New Scholars & Bambu

If you haven’t peeped it already, Blue Scholars released a new song and video at the start of ‘09, called “Coffee & Snow.”

Also, peep the new Bambu track, “When Will the Time Come” that flips an old Grain of Sand sample to discuss the current Gaza situation. Hot fire!

Remember, you can catch both the Scholars & Bambu performing at the world premiere of “A Song for Ourselves” on Feb. 28th. Get your tickets now!

A Song for Ourselves World Premiere 2.28.09

Gotta give the homie Tad Nakamura some shine and encourage those on the west coast to hit up the premiere of his new film, “A Song for Ourselves,” on February 28th in LA.

“During the 1970s when Asians in America were invisible to the country–and more importantly even to themselves–the late Chris Iijima’s music provided the voice and identity an entire generation had been in search of. Through animated photographs, intimate home movies, archival footage and Chris’ own songs, A Song For Ourselves shows how Chris’ music unleashed the contagious energy of the Asian American Movement with an unrelenting passion for social justice and a life well lived.”

I was very blessed to know Chris Iijima and his wonderful family personally. As one of the most brilliant, talented and progressive brothers I have ever had the privilege of knowing/learning from, I was deeply saddened by his death a few years ago and thought he still had so much to share with the world. With this film, I’m happy that in spite of his passing, audiences will still have the opportunity to meet Chris in some way and learn from his experiences.

The premiere will also feature performances by Blue Scholars, Bambu and Kiwi, who are in my opinion some of the most talented brothers in the hip hop game right now. Don’t sleep, west coasters! It’s gonna be a really dope show. For more info and to purchase tickets, check out the film’s blog.

You can watch Tad’s first film, “Yellow Brotherhood,” over at vimeo now.

An iPhone/iPod version can also be downloaded here.

Scholarly Game

I got a chance to peep Blue Scholars last night at club Vinyl in Atlanta, as they wrap up the short, twelve day east coast tour they’ve been on.

I think this is the third time I’ve seen them perform live, and I have to say, they continue to impress me. Now, without even taking their live show performances into account, I’m a fan regardless because of Geo’s dope lyrics/political analysis coupled with Sabzi’s ridiculous beats. Seriously, his production game is nasty, and the new tracks I heard them perform last night slapped real hard.

However, I’ve really come to respect these brothers for their hustle and how I’ve seen them grow and continue to develop their whole craft: from the music side, to the business side, to the performance side. Much respect is due for forming their own independent record label, Massline Media, and then signing a national distribution deal with Rawkus Records, meaning they retain their indie status and control over their art but gain access to national distribution networks and are then able to hop on national tours so that west coast southern transplants like myself get to see them perform live in the ATL.

Secondly, I really like how they’ve developed their live performances over the years. Seeing as how they come from Seattle, WA which was an indie rock hub back in the days of Nirvana, they have started incorporating some genre bending elements in their live shows, like Geo spittin verses over Modest Mouse or Cure instrumentals. Last night was the first time I’ve seen them do that live (after hearing Sabzi hint at it in this video and then continue to flip a nasty TV On The Radio remix), and the hipsterish crowd that came out to the show was lovin it.

If you ain’t up on the Scholars yet, check them out and support good music.

Geo On Mass Movement TV

Geologic of Blue Scholars spitting fire over the “Paper Planes” beat, probably my favorite M.I.A. song. The homeboy Tad cut this video, peep Mass Movement TV, a blog him and some other homies are running (shout outs to ET and Chris G).

Ask a Filipino

Pretty hilarious.

Sabzi Goes Bananas

Ali Wong put me up on this video recently. It’s a three part interview with Sabzi, producer/dj of Blue Scholars. He makes some interesting points about hip hop production, the craft, the business, etc. If you don’t have enough time to watch all the parts now, I suggest skipping to part 3, where Sabzi takes you through the beat making process. His TV On The Radio “Staring At The Sun” remix at the end pretty much blew my mind. Talk boxes are the shit!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Blue Scholars & Native Guns

I’ve been listening to a lot of political API hip hop lately. Enjoy, and much love to all my API brothers and sisters engaging in any form of social justice work.

Native Guns ~ Champion

Bambu (of Native Guns) ~ Pull It Back

Blue Scholars ~ Back Home

Blue Scholars ~ Freewheelin

My brother from another mother (and father) Colin Ehara also just released a dope new album along with his blood brother Akiyoshi and brother (but not blood, but still just as close) Kumar Butler. They are some gifted brothers and I highly recommend everyone and their mothers (and fathers) check it out. Sorry for all the familial title dropping.