Bavu Blakes

"Bavu, you know I been knowin whats going on. My ears to the street. I f**k wit all underground music, you knowhumsayin? You still on the grind, baby, its just a matter of time ... one hit away ..."
Bun B, UnderGroundKing of Texas, '05

"... calling himself Mr. Blakes now ... his voice rich and calm, sounding a little like the legendary rapper Rakim ... chill-yet-determined flow."
Joe Gross, Austin American-Statesman, '06

[ Known by his government name his whole life, Texas "musician who raps" and five-year record biz student Bavu Blakes left the rap game to become a creative force and business mind known as Mr. Blakes ]



Bio.

Webster defines wordsmith in the form of a noun as a person who works with words; especially a skillful writer. Defined by those who write professionally as journalists, authors, newscasters or spin doctors - it is very much a verb. They wordsmith documents, speeches, quotes and letters. Many times this action involves finding more powerful, meaningful words that paint a picture and more clearly deliver a message.

Dubbed "One of Texas' brightest new stars" by legendary rapper The D.O.C., Mr. Blakes is the ultimate wordsmith by both definitions. The baritone-voiced emcee has been reading and writing since he was three years old, writing poetry since he was five and rocking crowds since his seventh grade talent show.

Equally adept at writing, performing and freestyling, Mr. Blakes offers both clarity and hype. While words and rhymes are clearly where his talents shine, he places equal importance on beats. By defining tracks in terms of mood, rhythm and melody, he makes the music sound better. Creating a sense of cohesion between the lyrics and beats, Mr. Blakes's music reveals this approach through clever, thought-provoking lyrics over diverse beats guaranteed to entice any listener's ear.

Blakes lives in Austin, TX, where his single Play the Role (Bzzz mix) received 15-20 spins a week on KHDT "Hot" 93.3/99.7, peaking at No. 2 on the Hot 8 at 8 as the city's first local record added to regular rotation on commercial radio. His local buzz single, "Stay Strong" feat. Austin O.G. MC Fatal began getting about 20 spins a week on KAZI 88.7 in mid-March.

Mr. Blakes is focused on success and married to his keep-em-guessing originality. More concerned with longevity and substance, he possesses the creativity and the hustle to make his talent pay dividends.

A sure and steady opener for national headliners and touring acts since the late 1990's, Mr. Blakes has actively showcased hip-hop and soul music around Texas since the mid-1990s. He has performed with everyone and their mama, like Snoop Dogg six times, Roots five times, Luda, Busta, E. Badu, Bun B, Devin the Dude, Z-Ro, Slim Thug, De La Soul, Chamillionaire, Common, Lil' Flip, Jurassic 5, Blackeyed Peas, Tha Liks, Swishahouse, The Coup, Chalie Boy, Big Mike, Big Tuck, DJ Krush, DJ A-Trak, Z-Ro and on and on and many more ...

... and has been covered by Down mag, Ozone mag, Hip Hop Connection (UK), Block II Block mag, The Source mag, Vibe mag, Murder Dog mag, Urb mag, Blaze mag, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Houston Chronicle, Houston Press, Austin American-Statesman, Austin Chronicle, Allhiphop.com Breeding Ground, Basementalism Poland, Hiphopdx.com ... (yawn)



Movement.

1. Soulful Texas Hip Hop Live

2. Aeonz

3. Mixtape Mechanic, Whut It Dew Family

4. Ground Opening

5. ScripWiz Movement, World Trade /

Crowd Control Records CEO NickNack put Mr. Blakes in the record business in 2000 /

Released debut solo album "Create & Hustle" in 2002 via Songs of Word4Word Music (BMI). Dropped "C&H" nationally 05/03 in a half-n-half venture with Bomb Hip-Hop Records.... debut endorsed by The Source (Independents' Day), VIBE (Vibe Raters), Murder Dog (Best of '02, Best of '03) /

Current Bavu Blakes "Nobody Leavin" 12-inch on Nataural High feat. A-side title cut by Austin producer-slash-supahero Damar 'D Powers' plus "Who Knows" with production by S1, bass/violin by D-Madness, cuts by NickNack and vocals by Ciamar ... and "Play the Role (Statewide Remix)" produced by Hydroponic Sound System and featuring Paul Wall, MyOne of Strange Fruit Project, Money Waters ... and "Play the Role" (Liquid Soul Remix) by S1 /

Mix CD's and undergrounds include DJ Bull "All Star 2K6", DJ Clue?/Paul Wall/Chops "National Champs", Spitkicker "Next Spit Vol. 4", J.A. & L.S. "On the Grind Vol. 1", NickNack "B Side Blends", DJ Low Key "Mixing In Action", DJ Rapid Ric "Before Da Relays 2k6", "Get Your Weight Up", "Whut it Dew 1, 2 & 3", "Afta Da Relays 2k5", "Fistful of Dollars", "AP-2 Texas Powers" and many more Texas mixtapes of all persuasions lol. Recently released Developmental Vol. 1 on Nataural High (CA), limited edition Bavu Blakes & DJ Baby G "Blazing Saddles" underground street exclusives and DJ Rapid Ric & Chalie Boy "Versatile Child" /



Vinyl Discography.

[current]
11.bavu blakes
too selfish (live at kvrx)
limited edition 7-inch, 45 rpm

10.hydroponic sound system
choice cuts vol 2
+ 50k, live from b-boy city
swedish brandy
__
['05]
9.bavu blakes
nobody leavin
+ who knows, play the role liquid soul, play the role statewide
nataural high

8. deloach
labor of luv feat. bavu blakes, fetus
+ s1 remix, oneself remix
counterflow

7.hydro
choice cuts vol 1
+ play the role (bzzz mix), distractions ft. myone/sfp
swedish brandy
__
['04]
6.strange fruit project
eternally yours
+ remember the face
black son

5.hydro
hydro soundclash
+ play the role (bzzz mix)
alternate take

4.hydro
delrium/disconnect 7"
alternate take
__
['02]
3.hydro
synthesis ep
+ play the role (orig)
bomb hip hop
__
['01]
2.nicknack
re:construction
+ real life
crowd control
__
['00]
1.soundscape
listeners
+ die in your sleep, truth ft. poetree
crowd control

http://www.bavublakes.com

http://www.w4wmusic.com

http://www.alt-take.com

http://www.natauralhigh.com

http://www.crowdcontrolrecords.com