BUTTER&GUN$
As momentous as 2007 was for Seattle’s Blue Scholars, 2008 is already looking to be even bigger for the duo as they prepare to drop their second digital EP and third music video since the release of their critically acclaimed album Bayani on Massline/Rawkus. Since Bayani hit the streets in June 2007, Geologic and Sabzi have toured relentlessly, headlining sold-out shows up and down the West Coast and most recently touring with West Coast hip-hop legends Hieroglyphics and upcoming dates with GZA of Wu-Tang Clan.
In December 2007, Blue Scholars curated the first ever all-Northwest hip-hop festival The Program – headlining a five-night run of sold-out shows at Seattle’s Neumo’s. While aiming to bridge the emerging Northwest music scene to the rest of the country, they have answered any doubts about making an impact beyond their region. In New York City, Blue Scholars generated a buzz after opening up for Q-Tip at the CMJ Music Festival in October 2007, returning in February 2008 to headline a sold-out show at the renowned Mercury Lounge.
Despite their rigorous touring schedule, Geo and Sabzi haven’t missed a beat in the studio, continuously cranking out new Blue Scholars tracks as well as expanding their catalog to include collaborations with local and national artists. Geo and RA Scion (of Common Market) were recently featured on Guru’s recent “Jazzmatazz: Back to the Future Mixtape.†and the digital-only release Joe Metro EP, released November 2007, featured the North By Northwest remix produced by Jake One and various guest appearances from Seattle emcees such as D. Black, Khingz, Thig Natural, Chev, and Macklemore.
In addition to their collective work, Geo and Sabzi have also pursued individual endeavors and remain integrated in the political organizing and community work that defines the essence of their music andmessage.
Geo is set to release new solo music under the alias Prometheus Brown, as well as continuing to work with Bayan-USA, a progressive coalition of organizations fighting for genuine freedom in the Philippines. In May 2008, he will be touring for the second time in as many years with Kiwi (formerly of Native Guns) to raise funds for the families of victims of human rights violations. Sabzi continues to solidify his standing as a premier music producer. In November 2007, he won the Red Bull Big Tune beat battle championship national finals, and recently completed production of the new Common Market full-length album entitled Tobacco Road. When he is not on tour with Blue Scholars he is traveling the world and working on beats for lesser known and better known artists.
On April 26, 2008 Blue Scholars will release their second digital-only EP release, BUTTER&GUN$, on Massline in partnership with Rawkus Records. The EP, entirely produced by Sabzi, features four songs (and four accompanying instrumental tracks), including the previously-released “Loyalty†(from Bayani), the EP title track “BUTTER&GUN$ (Loyalty pt. 2),†and the autobiographical “27â€. A video for the song “Loyalty†will be released simultaneously in conjunction with the EP, directed by Zia Mohajerjasbi (who also directed the group’s "Back Home" and “Joe Metro†videos).
