Busdriver

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Busdriver


Img_capt= Busdriver performing at Coachella in 2007
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Regan J Farquhar
Born =
Origin = Los Angeles
Genre = Hip hop
Alternative hip hop Abstract hip hop Experimental hip hop
Years_active = 1996–present
Label = Epitaph Records Mush Records
Associated_acts =

Busdriver (born Regan J Farquhar [http://busdriversite.com/busdrivermain3.jpg] ) is a rapper from Los Angeles currently signed to Epitaph Records.

History

Born in Los Angeles, he was introduced to hip hop at an early age, his father Ralph Farquhar being the screenwriter for the film "Krush Groove", [ [http://www.oldschoolhiphop.com/video/krushgroove.htm OldSchoolHipHop.Com - Krush Groove ] ] one of the earliest films focusing on hip hop culture. Farquhar began rapping at age 9, and by 13 he had released his first album, as part of the group 4/29. [ [http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0301,caramanica,40903,22.html Inkblot Integer-Hop, page 1 - Music - Village Voice - Village Voice ] ] At the age of 15, he attended open-mic nights at the Good Life Cafe in 1993. A regular at the Project Blowed open mic during the mid-1990s, he would be introduced to fellow underground artists, leading him to being a guest on at least 20 singles.Fact|date=February 2008 He first recorded in 1995 with Chillin Villain Empire, and was featured on Fat Jack's "Cater to the DJ" in 1999.

Busdriver released his first album, "Memoirs of the Elephant Man", in 2001, followed by "This Machine Kills Fashion Tips" and "Temporary Forever" in 2002. 2003 brought a collaboration with fellow underground artists Radioinactive and Daedelus for the experimental LP "The Weather". His most recent releases are 2004's "Cosmic Cleavage" (produced by longtime collaborator Daddy Kev) and "Fear of a Black Tangent" in 2005, which included a sample of the song "Turtles Have Short Legs" by "Can" on the track "Avantcore". In 2005 he was also enlisted (along with Vic Booz and Subtitle (now Giovanni Marks)) as a "Corn Ganggster", rapping with The Unicorns' offshoot project, Th' Corn Gangg. He later appeared on the Islands' album "Return to the Sea", on the song "Where There's A Will There's A Whalebone"."

He gained a small amount of mainstream recognition when "Imaginary Places", from "Temporary Forever", appeared in the video game "Tony Hawk's Underground" in 2003. [ [http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200310/N03.1027.1820.59668.htm T.H.U.G. Complete Soundtrack Revealed ] ] His latest album, RoadKillOvercoat, was released on Epitaph Records in January, 2007.

Busdriver has worked with MCs such as Aceyalone, Myka 9, Abstract Rude, 2Mex, Rifleman Ellay Khule, and the band Toca, among others. His primary producers have been Paris Zax, Daedelus, Daddy Kev, Omid, Nobody, Fat Jack, and Boom Bip. He's also worked on two albums with DJ D-Styles.

Busdriver is featured in the documentary "This is the Life" (2008), directed by Good Life MC Ava DuVernay. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1178658/ This Is the Life (2008) ] ]

Discography

tudio Albums

*"Memoirs of the Elephant Man" (2001)
*"This Machine Kills Fashion Tips" (2002)
*"Temporary Forever" (2002)
*"Heavy Items Such As Books, Record Albums, Tools" (2003)
*"Cosmic Cleavage" (2004)
*"Fear of a Black Tangent" (2005)
*"RoadKillOvercoat" (2007)

ingles

*"Imaginary Places" (2002)
*"Avantcore" (2005)
*"Kill Your Employer" (2006)
*"Sun Shower" (2007)
*"Ellen Disingenuous" (2008)

Compilations

*"Busdriver Meets Daedelus - Live Airplane Food" with Daedelus (2003)
*"Live Radio Show" with 2Mex (2004)
*"Taxed Jumper" (2006)
*"The Weather" with Radioinactive and Daedelus (2003)

External links

* [http://www.busdriversite.com/ Busdriversite.com]
* [http://www.projectblowed.com/artists.php?ID=857 Busdriver bio on ProjectBlowed.com]
* [http://www.epitaph.com/artists/artist/229/ Epitaph's Artist Profile] , "Artist Info: Busdriver"

References

* [http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0301,caramanica,40903,22.html "The Village Voice"'s article] "Inkblot Integer-Hop" (December 31, 2002)
* [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/features/live/c/corn-gangg-05/ Pitchfork Media's article] , "Live: Th' Corn Gangg" (March 12, 2005)
* [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/features/artistprofiles/b/busdriver/ Pitchfork Media's article] , "Profile: Busdriver" (March 30, 2005)