About Busdriver
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,[3] 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.[4] 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.[citation needed] 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”. Jhelli Beam came out - in June of 2009. . 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.” Nicholas Thorburn once again worked with Busdriver featuring him on the track, “Crony Island,” from Reefer’s self-titled debut released in November of 2008.
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.[5] RoadKillOvercoat, was released on Epitaph Records in January, 2007 followed by his most recent release Jhelli Beam on June 9, 2009.
About Abstract Rude
Abstract Rude stands as one of hip-hop’s most accessible healers. Since first making regular appearances at L.A.’s legendary Goodlife open mic sessions circa 1994, this MC has steadily found the ideal balance of strong lyrical substance and high entertainment value. Unafraid to sing his own hooks and break out multiple flows within single songs, Ab Rude is one of the most multifarious graduates of the fertile L.A. rap scene. Learning from some of the movement’s best, the guidance received from his original group, Abstract Tribe Unique (ATU), along with Freestyle Fellowship and the A-Team (Aceyalone & Ab) has proven to be invaluable.
Abstract Rude co-founded the Project Blowed workshop — the longest running open mic youth workshop in the world and would later go on to co-executive produce the classic compilation Project Blowed. The groundbreaking album showcased Abstract Rude as a skillful MC capable of expressing soulful sentiments with his mystical themes and deeply pronounced baritone. In addition to highlighting the artistic creativity of an L.A. scene known best for its gangsta rap.
In time, Ab Rude has endeared himself to fans worldwide through consistent touring — most recently with international hip-hop artists DJ Vadim and Yarah Bravo — and by releasing quality LPs such as P.A.I.N.T in 2001, and Showtyme in 2003 (on Battle Axe). Most comfortable fronting the atmospheric sounds provided by producer Fat Jack on albums such as Underground Fossils in 1997, Mood Pieces in 1998 and South Central Thynk Tank in 1999 (on Mass Men), Abstract Rude proved that clarity in rap is just as impressive as complexity. His work on the Haiku D’Etat projects with Project Blowdians Aceyalone and Mikah Nine in 2000 and 2004, which merged hip-hop with jazzy soul, only further illustrated his music’s diversity and ability to capture listeners of various genres.
After recording under the Beastie Boys Grand Royal imprint, Mass Men and Battle Axe, Abstract Rude joins the Rhymesayers Entertainment family with Dear Abbey. On his latest album and first for Rhymesayers, Ab further broadens his medicinal lyricism touching on politics, relationships, and multiple day-to-day issues. And for the first time ever, he worked exclusively with Seattle, Washington beatsmith Vitamin D — who’s produced for G-Unit, Redman, Gift of Gab, Lifesavas, One Be Lo, I Self Devine, among others. With the funk-tinged banger “TV Show,” the thoughtful MC metaphorically contemplates the damaging effects of the “idiot box.” On an equally socially awakening note, Ab effectively plays the storyteller on the soul-stirring, “2 Help or Hurt” — the engaging tale of a soldier torn between the love of his country and his fiance. Then on the bouncy “Man Down,” Ab aptly declares in a double time flow, “we never fill an album up with one style” as he proceeds to deliver a razor-sharp shot of battle rap. With the ever-shifting subject matter and vocal styles on display, Dear Abbey is further proof that Abstract Rude is a true lyrical heavyweight at the top of his game.
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