"Still No Rest Cause We're Not Finished Yet"

Album: Bayani
Artist: Blue Scholars
Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
Year: 2007
Label: Mass Line Media

The Physics are fun and Grayskul is dark, but the Blue Scholars are another story entirely. Composed of Geologic (Rhymes) and Sabzi (Beats), the Scholars are the people’s Hip-Hop duo. Singing proletariat blues calling for social reform and empowerment of the people, the Blue Scholars have been called the Northwest’s finest, and thier album, Bayani, is a testament to that statement. This album is unique for a couple of reasons, but the one that stands out for me is this: This is the first Hip-Hop album I’ve ever heard without a single guest. Even Atmosphere’s God Loves Ugly had a track featuring I Self Divine. But here, it’s just Geologic and Sabzi holding their own, on their own.

Geologic is the voice of the Scholars, and what a voice indeed. While some rappers take the abstract route to storytelling, Geologic has a very direct way of explaining things. His voice is clear, crisp and completely calm. His subject matter is varied and deep, covering everything from the pain of immigrants (The Distance) to debating whether to give up riding the metro bus in favor of a car (Joe Metro.) His stories are all very accessible, making his pain and joy easily felt by the listener. Sabzi is the music of the Scholars and his production is also very accessible while remaining interesting and unique. His beats are unfettered and simple, and the samples he uses range from funky bass lines to dramatic piano phrases. It’s cool, because it’s not like mainstream Hip-Hop where the production is all glam, but it’s also not the gloomy minimalism of Grayskul or the abrasive machine funk of EL-P. It’s music for the people that’s uplifting and down-to-earth all at the same time. The combination of these two elements, Geo and Sabzi, makes for fantastic listening.

But just because Sabzi’s beats are head-bobbing goodness doesn’t mean that all is right with the world. The Scholars tackle serious matters in their songs and Geologic is one of the smartest, most explicit (I don’t mean swearing) political rappers I’ve ever heard. This is evidenced by tracks such as “Back Home” which is a direct comment on the Iraq war and the harrowing “50K Deep” which tells the tale of the WTO protests that took place in Seattle on November 30, 1999. It’s a brutal story to those who know it and Geo’s account is particularly memorable. It’s probably the best track on the album and makes one wonder if we’re really living in the democracy we’re purported to be.

This album has not been easy to review because I’m afraid I’m not doing it, or the Scholars, justice. I can’t find anything bad to say about it; it’s flawless. Geologic and Sabzi are the cream of the crop when it comes to Northwest Hip-Hop and you will be a better person for going out and buying this masterpiece.