- Project Blowed
Project Blowed refers to a longstanding
open-mic workshop , its affiliatedhip hop crew, and the two compilation albums released by that collective.The Good Life
The roots of Project Blowed can be traced back to the Good Life Cafe, a Health Food Center in
South Central Los Angeles ,California . [ [http://www.laweekly.com/music/music/down-for-the-good-life/11397/ "Down for the Good Life,"] ] In December 1989 Promoted by owner B. Hall and her son R. Kain Blaze, the Good Life offered a workshop-like atmosphere for aspiring MCs, poets and musicians to hone their craft. On Thursday nights from 8-10pm, artists were allowed to perform one song in an attempt to entertain the cafe audience. Artist had the option of performing written songs, or freestyling. When a performance was not up to par, the audience would begin a chant of "Please pass the mic!" and the performer was forced to end the performance by passing the microphone to the next artist scheduled to perform.One of the many defining characteristics of the Goodlife was the strict No Profanity Policy.
"Young people needed a place to go to develop their own art. The no-cussing policy wasn’t about us being uptight church people, it was about wanting the atmosphere of a serious arts workshop. Most of the crowd respected the rule, some said it made rapping more challenging, that it created more respect and brotherhood." -B. Hall, "Interview"
Ice Cube ,Snoop Dogg , andLenny Kravitz all reportedly attended the open-mic [ [http://www.laweekly.com/music/music/down-for-the-good-life/11397/ "Down for the Good Life,"] ] , and artists such asThe Pharcyde ,Biz Markie ,Fat Joe (whose mic was unplugged because he broke the no-cursing rule),Skee-Lo , andKurupt occasionally performed there as well. Good Life RegularsRebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee would come together to form the better known groupJurassic 5 . Will.I.Am andDigital Underground have both visited the Good Life and Project Blowed as well. By 1992, the weekly open-mic literally had crowds spilling out into the street. From Good Life regularsFreestyle Fellowship ,Abstract Rude , Chillin Villain Empire, Rifleman Ellay Khule, Volume 10, Medusa, Figures of Speech, Spoon Iodine, Ganjah K, and Fat Jack, to the weekly spectators- the Good Life Era is regarded by most fans as theGolden Age of Project Blowed."The Good Life was a renaissance period in hip hop." -
Cut Chemist ,Jurassic 5 "Interview"Project Blowed Workshop
In 1994, hip hop artists
Aceyalone andAbstract Rude brought anopen-mic aspect to the pre-existing string of workshops known as KAOS Network. Founded in 1984 by Cal-Arts Film Professor Ben Caldwell, KAOS Network offered weekly classes and workshops in video production, animation, digital arts, and artist development inSouth Central 's Leimert Park District. This newly established weeklyopen-mic workshop would operate Thursday Nights and later become known as Project Blowed, the West Coast equivalent of the hip hop landmark theLyricist Lounge . Unlike the Good Life, Project Blowed does not have a rule against cursing. This combined with the nighttime atmosphere provided a much darker setting than Goodlife Era Blowdians were accustomed to."The Blowed was darker than a motherf*cker inside. The moods changed to a darker feeling. You could say whatever you wanted [to say] ." -Ellay Khule, "Interview"
Aspects of the Project Blowed
Chanting:
A common aspect of the Project Blowed is the "Strength in Numbers" theory. Although no individual audience member is louder than the performing artist, the crowd inunison can completely drown out even the amplification of the microphone through the speakers. This results in one or more audience member(s) starting chants when they are not content with the given performance.Common chants include:
"Please, Pass the Mic!"
Used to get the performer offstage. Also used in lieu ofbooing ."What you gonna do with that beat?!"
A challenge chant issued when the instrumental chosen is popular or generally considered to have been used well already by another artist.Other aspects include
ciphering ,battling ,styling ,chopping , anda cappella rap.Each year the Project Blowed holds an Anniversary Show which showcases the Blowdian artists that were in in demand throughout the year with many special guests and other Project Blowed affiliated artists in attendance.
Project Blowed Collective
The Project Blowed collective consists of MCs, DJs, producers, artists, dancers, musicians, poets, and various support staff such as agents, managers, and label CEOs- all of which are "Project Blowdians". It should be noted, however, that fans of this collective are also commonly referred to as Blowdians and that many of the initial membership still refer to themselves and one-another as "Goodlifers" or "Goodbrothers".
Some early Blowed Regulars include:
Freestyle Fellowship ,Rifleman Ellay Khule ,Chillin Villain Empire,Abstract Rude ,
Tribe Unique,
2mex & Xololanxinxo,
AWOL One,Volume 10,Otherwize,Pterradacto,Busdriver ,Pigeon John ,
Subtitle,Fat Jack ,Omid ,Figures of Speech,Chu Chu,J Smoov,Badru Umi ,Medusa,Jah Orah,Funky Trend,The L.A. Breakers, and the RTN Crew. [ [http://www.projectblowed.com/about.php About the Blowed] ]An overwhelming number of groups are the direct product of Project Blowed with the individual members meeting at the Blowed Workshop, Goodlife Cafe, or under some similar circumstance. Including:
*
Jurassic 5 FormerlyRebels of Rhythm & Unity Committee*
The A-Team Solo membersAceyalone &Abstract Rude *
Haiku D'Etat Solo memberAbstract Rude &Freestyle Fellowship 'sAceyalone &Myka 9 *Customer ServiceSolo members Kail, Psychosiz, SP83, Choice, JoeSue & The Weird People
*
Thirsty Fish Solo members Open Mike Eagle, Psychosiz, & Dumbfoundead*The (SIS)TemFemale MC, DJ, Graffiti Artist & Breaker union founded by Project Blowed.
Although Project Blowed releases albums as a Label, many Blowedians release albums independently or under other record labels as well.
The following albums are generally regarded as Blowedian Compilations:
"Project Blowed" (1994) (Various)
"Beneath the Surface" (1999) (Omid )
"Cater to the DJ" (1999) (Fat Jack )
"The Good Brothers" (2003) (Various)
"Cater to the DJ Vol. 2" (2004) (Fat Jack )
"Project Blowed 10th Anniversary" (2005) (Various)
"Project Blowed for Dummies" (2006) (DJ Handprints)Blowedians place a heavy emphasis on the ability to freestyle. [ [http://daddykev.com/lin-timetable.html Liner Notes] ]
NoCanDo of Customer Service was the 2007Scribble Jam freestyle battle champion [* [http://www.scribblemagazine.com Scribble Jam] ] . In 1999 P.E.A.C.E. ofFreestyle Fellowship finished 2nd place atScribble Jam . That same year Otherwize defeatedEminem to win the 1999Rap Olympics . More recently, Blowedians such asBusdriver andThirsty Fish have appeared on G4TV's [http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/681631/Freestyle_101_Thirsty_Fish.html Freestyle 101] withNoCanDo and Dumbfoundead competting in the World Rap Championships. [ [http://www.jumpoff.tv/ JumpOff TV] ]Many groups have joined the Project Blowed collective since its initial inception in the 1980s. Of Mexican Decent, Acid Reign, Dark Leaf, Missing Page, Customer Service, The Swim Team. With each revitilization the collective increases in its ranks. However, because leaving the collective is not as common an occurrence- the senior membership has gone largely unchanged.
"Project Blowed" Compilation Album
In 1994
Aceyalone andAbstract Rude executive produced the original "Project Blowed" compilation album.The landmark recording showcased wildly diverse local legends [ [http://oufront.blogsport.de/2006/10/28/hiphophistory-good-life-cafe-project-blowed/ "Livin' the Good Life,"] ] whose common bond was a desire to expand the musical, thematic, and lyrical horizons of hip-hop. Originally circulated independently, the limited run CD was subsequently purchased and traded by fans internationally- becoming something of a
cult classic . The album would later achieve an even greater status amongst fans and collectors alike as many of the artists featured (Aceyalone , Volume 10,Freestyle Fellowship ,Abstract Rude , etc.) would go on to have varying levels of mainstream success.Project Blowed CD
1. Jurassick -
Aceyalone , Spoon Iodine, C.V.E.
produced by Home Grown Beatz2. Who's There? -
Self-Jupiter (ofFreestyle Fellowship )3. Strength Of A.T.U. -
Abstract Rude ofATU
produced by Digiak4. What A Pity - Riddlore & Ngafsh (C.V.E.)
produced by DJ Wolf5. Don't Get It Twisted - Jyant &
Eve (of Figures Of Speech)
produced by Digiak6. Hot -
Freestyle Fellowship ,Horace Tapscott , Underground Railroad
produced by JMD. 7. Once Upon A Freak - Tray Loc (of C.V.E.)
produced by CV Shack Productionz8. Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood - Dolla Holla
produced by J-Sumbi9. Solo Is So Low - DK Toon & B Cartoon
produced byFat Jack 10. This Evening - (interlude)
11. Heavyweights Round 2 - Peace, T-Love, A.C., Nefertiti,
Self-Jupiter , BJ, Ganjah K, Medusa,
Ko Ko,Myka Nyne , Volume 10 produced by Mathmattics 12. Funky Commercial Break - Funky Trend
produced by Digiak13. Second Chance - (interlude)
14. I Don't Know -
Abstract Rude ofATU ,Aceyalone , Riddlore of CVE
produced byFat Jack 15. Yeh Man -
Abstract Rude ofATU
produced by Digiak16. Narcolepsy - C.V.E.,
Rifleman Ellay Khule of Hip Hop Klan
produced by Cee Vee Beat Down & Hip Hop Kclan17. I Think? -
Aceyalone
produced by Aceyalone18. Maskaraid Part 1 & 2 -
Abstract Rude &Aceyalone
produced byFat Jack 19. Treble And Bass -Aceyalone &Abstract Rude
produced by Vic Hop"Project Blowed 10th Anniversary" Compilation Album
In 2005, to commemorate the 10 Year Anniversary of the first Project Blowed Compilation Album- Project Blowed/Decon Records released a follow up album packaged with a DVD. The "Project Blowed 10th Anniversary" CD and DVD was Executive Produced by Aceyalone & Peter Bittenbender, with
Badru Umi also Executive Producing the DVD.Project Blowed 10th Anniversary CD
1. "4343 Leimert Blvd. L.A., CA 90008"
2. "Enter the Kaos" -
Aceyalone ,Busdriver , Longevity, NgaFsh
produced by Riddlore3. "Who the F*ck Is You?" -
Aceyalone , Riddlore,Abstract Rude ,Busdriver , Rifleman Ellay Khule
produced by PMG4. "Live @ the Blowed" - Customer Service
produced by Longevity5. "Villains" - C.V.E
produced by CVE6. "The People" - Sach,
Pigeon John , Rifleman Ellay Khule
produced by Omid7. "Sound Boy Murderers" -
Abstract Tribe Unique
produced by Fat Jack8. "Too Underground" -
Busdriver
produced by Kenny Segal9. "Sounds Like" (Hip Hop Clan) - Rifleman Ellay Khule and Pterradacto
produced by Nobody10. "What's Your Aim?" - Acid Reign
produced by Re.4m11. "Cray Crazy" -
Aceyalone ,Busdriver ,NoCanDo , Subtitle
produced byThavius Beck 12. "Jazzy Girl" (Freestyle) -
Myka 9 ,Busdriver , Xololanxinxo, and Toca
produced by Toca13. "Astro Pimp" - Cypher 7
produced by JB14. "How You Been?" (Homegirl) - Otherwize
produced by R. Leon (Jizzm High Definition)15. "What It Do?" - Medusa, Mr. Perkins, Black Silver, Volume 10
produced by PMG16. "Do Unto Others" -
Aceyalone
produced by Beat Science17. "13th Month" -
Abstract Rude ,Busdriver ,Phoenix Orion
produced by Kenny Segal18. "Mama & Pappa Raised Right" - Pterradacto,
Aceyalone , Jah Orah, NoNsToP
produced by DJ Drez19. "Battle Prone" -
Myka 9 , Power Tung, Wreek One
produced byMyka 9 20. "Ruff Rhymes" -
Aceyalone , Longevity
produced by Longevity21. "Doing What We Love" - Jah Orah
produced by Beat ScienceProject Blowed 10th Anniversary DVD
The packaged DVD that accompanied the 10th Anniversary CD included footage from the 10th Anniversary concert itself, with performances by
Freestyle Fellowship , Hip Hop Clan (Rifleman Ellay Khule and Pterradacto),Busdriver , Phoenix Orion & Sunfire, Medusa,Haiku D'Etat , 2Mex, and a collective posse cut featuring freestyles and flows byAceyalone ,Abstract Rude , Chu,Myka 9 ,P.E.A.C.E. , and Rifleman Ellay Khule.Also included on the DVD was a 15-minute documentary about the Project Blowed open mic, consisting of interviews with veteran Blowdians such as
Aceyalone , newer Blowdians such as Kail of Customer Service, and influential figures such as Ben Caldwell, founder of "KAOZ Network" where the Project Blowed Workshop is held every Thursday.The DVD also featured the following music videos:
*"Mic Check" byAceyalone
*"Calistylics" by C.V.E
*"Knownots" byHaiku D'Etat
*"I Think," byAceyalone
*"Moonlit Skies" byAceyalone
*"Give it Here" byAceyalone , Ahmad, andPep Love
*"All Day" byAbstract Rude
*"My Mamma Raised a G" by Medusa.Project Blowed Expansion
With the expansion of the Blowdian roster to include newer groups such as Customer Service,
Thirsty Fish , and the (SIS)tem, Project Blowed has since opened an additional workshop in California's Inland Empire to accompany its primary location inSouth Central Los Angeles' Lemert Park District.Original Location
*
Los Angeles , CaliforniaHosted by J-SmoovExpansion Location
*Inland Empire, CaliforniaHosted by Ganjah K
Additional Locations
*
Las Vegas, Nevada Hosted by Phoenix Orion
*Austin, Texas Hosted by Tray Loc (C.V.E)Legacy & Influence
*Rock & Roll Band
Rage Against the Machine has a cover version of Volume 10's "Pistol Grip Pump" on their 2000 cover album "Renegades".
*Project Blowdians are prominently featured in numerous video games includingTony Hawk's Underground , The ESPN NBA 2K Series andAll Pro Football 2K8 .
*Aceyalone appears as a playable character in ESPN NBA 2K6.
*Project Blowed was used as a recurring filming location in the 90's sitcomMoesha starringLos Angeles singer & entertainer Brandy.
*Project Blowed & Project Blowedians have been featured in numerous documentaries and reality television shows includingMTV 'sTrue Life (starring Chris "CP" Phillips), andParis Hilton 'sThe Simple Life (featuring Carmella).
*The 2006 movie "Camjackers" stars Phoenix Orion and several Blowdians make cameos throughout the film.
*Ava DuVernay's 2007 film "This is the Life" documents the Goodlife Era of Project Blowed. [ [http://ugsmag.com/interviews/ava-duvernay "Ava DuVernay: This is the Life,"] ]ee also
*
List of Project Blowedians
*List of record labels
*Aceyalone
*Abstract Rude
*Freestyle Fellowship
* FreestylingReferences
* [http://www.laweekly.com/music/music/down-for-the-good-life/11397/ "Down for the Good Life,"] Brendan Mullen, "L.A. Weekly", June 21, 2000.
* [http://oufront.blogsport.de/2006/10/28/hiphophistory-good-life-cafe-project-blowed/ "Livin' the Good Life,"] Nicole Balin, "The Source."
* [http://ugsmag.com/interviews/ava-duvernay "Ava DuVernay: This is the Life,"] interview by Jon B, "UGS Mag," May 13, 2008.
* [http://daddykev.com/lin-timetable.html Liner Notes] for Mikah 9's "Timetable", Dave Tompkins, 2001.
* [http://www.projectblowed.com/about.php About Project Blowed] ProjectBlowed.com
* [http://www.jumpoff.tv/ JumpOff TV] World Rap Championships
* [http://www.scribblemagazine.com Scribble Jam] Freestyle Battle
* [http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed G4TV] Freestyle 101External links
* [http://www.projectblowed.com/ Project Blowed website]
* [http://www.projectblowedstore.com/ The official Project Blowed Store]
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