After dropping one full-length album (Blue Scholars LP, 2005) and an EP (The Long March, 2005) the Blue Scholars have emerged as the latest in a long line of torchbearers for Seattle and greater Pacific Northwest hip-hop scene. The duo formed in early 2002 after ciphers and sessions in a makeshift attic-bedroom-studio in Seattle's University District, where emcee Geologic and DJ/producer Sabzi came from vastly different musical approaches to collide. One a distinguished battle emcee and poet, the other a former punk/ska drummer and jazz-trained pianist, the duo's backgrounds laid the foundation for a versatile combination of beats and rhymes at once political and personal.
Since 2002, the duo has become renowned live show veterans, rocking nearly 200 shows with the likes of De La Soul, Immortal Technique, The Coup, Zion I, One Be Lo, Soul Position, Slick Rick, and Spearhead. The mass appeal of their live show has brought them to many diverse venues - from labor organizing conferences and youth-run community center shows to playing the main stage at Sasquatch! (2006) and Bumbershoot (2006).
In June 2006, Blue Scholars joined forces with Common Market (emcee RA Scion and DJ Sabzi) and emcee Gabriel Teodros (of Abyssinian Creole) to launch MASS LINE MEDIA, a new artist-run independent record label.
Year Formed: 2002
Bayani
Blue Scholars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
now uh
turn off your radio
turn up your stereo
northwest rock rock on whats the scenario
four years ago two students skipping class went and crafted an album
some called it a classic but
we've grown past it was good while it lasted
beats rhymes rice be the breakfast of champions
we hold the whole town down together with the plan to hold the mic with compassion
like Yuri did Malcolm
travel down the coast since we dropped the last album
that plus one is how long we've been war torn
it's the return of the hard knock and the hardcore
from hard rock to hip hop the migration of flocks who once mocked what we ride for
it's side war, from side walks to billboards and stores telling all poor people that the world is yours
but this money is ours you can get a little back you start putting in hours you can widen the gap
but you can see it in the towers standing next to the squatters who be wandering the city in search of a job offer
the first generation in the U.S. of A to get paid less wage than the ones who came
before the wicked waged war in a desert terrain
24 short bars couldn't measure the pain
so now i, greet the neighbor daily he's on his porch smoking
overhead thunderclouds moving slow motion
came across an ocean in hope of some better days
ex patriotated citizens of third world decay
where children translate for their parents sake
in a landscape where the working class, can't escape
these languages twisted, tongues get unraveled
can't understand each other in this modern day babel
now we trying to get a piece of what the city broke down
barely claiming families but quick to claim the town
recognize it's serious but ain't afraid to clown
trained for confrontation there's no other way around
these sacred ground desecrators
they try to decimate us
they hit the ballot like the mayor's gonna save us
and it pains me to say this but pain is what made this
it's gonna take more than just rain to change this
just some rain to change this
The opening lyrics of Blue Scholars' "Bayani" call for the listener to turn off their radio and turn up their stereo. This is the birth of the Pacific Northwest rock scene that the song emerged from, influenced by the DIY ethos of punk rock and the socially conscious messaging of hip-hop. The song tells the story of two students who skipped class to craft an album, which became a classic, but now it's time for them to put their education into practice. They hold down the mic with compassion, just as Yuri influenced Malcolm. The song reflects on the band's travels down the coast since their last album, and the side war that rages between the poor and the wealthy in society, with the wealthy telling the poor that the world is theirs, yet the money is theirs too, leaving the poor searching for job offers and barely claiming families, let alone the town.
The song also depicts the hardship of immigrants who hope for better days in the USA but often find themselves translating for their parents in a landscape where the working class can't escape. They feel like they're living in a modern-day Babel where languages are twisted, and tongues get unraveled, and they can't understand each other. The song concludes with the recognition that pain is what has made this world, and it's going to take more than just rain to change it.
Line by Line Meaning
yeah
Acknowledgement and agreement to the content discussed
now uh
Transition to a new thought
turn off your radio
Stop listening to mainstream media
turn up your stereo
Listen to their music and message
northwest rock rock on whats the scenario
Pacific Northwest musicians and fans unite
four years ago two students skipping class went and crafted an album
Story of how they started making music
some called it a classic but
Referring to their previous album and its reception
we've grown past it was good while it lasted
They have moved on and matured since then
now its time to put the education into practice
Applying their knowledge to real-life situations
beats rhymes rice be the breakfast of champions
Music and culture are essential to their success
we hold the whole town down together with the plan to hold the mic with compassion
They unite and use music as a form of expression
like Yuri did Malcolm
Comparison to social activists of the past
travel down the coast since we dropped the last album
They have been touring and promoting their music
that plus one is how long we've been war torn
Referring to their experiences and hardships
it's the return of the hard knock and the hardcore
Their style and attitude is back
from hard rock to hip hop the migration of flocks who once mocked what we ride for
People are starting to embrace their music and message
it's side war, from side walks to billboards and stores telling all poor people that the world is yours
Media and propaganda are misleading and manipulative
but this money is ours you can get a little back you start putting in hours you can widen the gap
Economic and social inequality is prevalent
but you can see it in the towers standing next to the squatters who be wandering the city in search of a job offer
Contrast between the wealthy and the struggling
the first generation in the U.S. of A to get paid less wage than the ones who came
Inequality and discrimination based on nationality
before the wicked waged war in a desert terrain
Reference to war and its effects on society
24 short bars couldn't measure the pain
Emphasizing the depth of their experiences
so now i, greet the neighbor daily he's on his porch smoking
New focus on community and personal connections
overhead thunderclouds moving slow motion
Metaphor for the struggles they face and how they affect them
came across an ocean in hope of some better days
Their journey to find a better life and future
ex patriotated citizens of third world decay
Commentary on the impact of imperialism and colonization
where children translate for their parents sake
The realities of being part of an immigrant family
in a landscape where the working class, can't escape
The limitations and struggles of the working class
these languages twisted, tongues get unraveled
Barriers to communication and understanding
can't understand each other in this modern day babel
Reference to the biblical story of the Tower of Babel and its relevance to modern society
now we trying to get a piece of what the city broke down
Desire to reclaim and rebuild their community
barely claiming families but quick to claim the town
Determination to take ownership and responsibility
recognize it's serious but ain't afraid to clown
Balancing serious issues with humor and positivity
trained for confrontation there's no other way around
Ready to stand up for their beliefs and values
these sacred ground desecrators
Those who disrespect and disregard their heritage and culture
they try to decimate us
Their attempts to destroy and undermine
they hit the ballot like the mayor's gonna save us
Political promises and disappointments
and it pains me to say this but pain is what made this
Acknowledging the source of their strength and resilience
it's gonna take more than just rain to change this
Realizing the challenges and obstacles in creating meaningful change
just some rain to change this
Hope for positive change despite the difficulties
Contributed by Aubrey O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
LewLovesDunkZ
that ain't a common song...this is rare. it's real..it's hop hop like we love it... sick beat, sick lyrics...what more do u want?.
Amino Acid
2021 and this song still touches my soul
Tyler Foerster
Over a decade and this song is still gold! I miss true hip hop.
inelxx
Damn, this was a gem to find at the bottom of my liked video list. Still stinging along with some lines, this is so timeless and amazing.
kalim93
this whole album is great. i listen 2 so much hip hop and i gotta say this album is the best album ive heard
Dustin Johnson
"So now I greet the neighbor daily, He's on his porch smoking, Overhead thunder clouds move in slow motion, Came across an ocean in hope of some better days, Expatriated citizens of third world decay..." I love GEO's lyrics, he's a poet.
ST-RIDER
"these sacred ground desecrators, they tried to decimate us they hit the ballot like the mayor's gonna save us and it pains me to say this but pain is what made this" my favorite line in the song
Kolton
Damn I almost forgot what real hip hop was. Thank you Blue Scholars.
jesseactivist
Blue Scholars are such a breath of fresh air when it comes to hip hop nowadays.
NINJOSSE
Amazing. I live near Seattle, and everyone at my school loves them. They are coming to play in June... Anyways, the lyrics are great. They arent 'Yo yo imma' pop yo sista homie gee' or crap like that, or 'lets have s3x ya hobag' they are true and meaningful, and living in the NW, we can really appreciate them (They are from Seattle)