Bavu Blakes: Conquering New Territory
There is no name more synonymous with Austin hip-hop than Bavu Blakes. Talk to just about any hip-hop artist in Central Texas and odds are they are aware of the enigmatic emcee. For 15 years prior to an impending move to Los Angeles, Blakes has made Austin his home and worked tirelessly to bridge the gaps in the diverse music scene.
Blakes boasts an impressive catalog of recorded music, which includes his forthcoming second full length album and various singles, collaborations, and mix tapes. This has earned him a reputation throughout the country, making him one of the most sought-after local entertainers to perform at music festivals or open for nationally touring acts. As Blakes prepares to leave Austin and relocate to Los Angeles, he reflects on his experiences.
It’s easy to see how Blakes has transcended the established roles and boundaries of the Austin’s traditional music scene. Thanks to his curious nature and history of living in disparate places like Washington D.C. and the Dallas suburb of Garland, his demeanor is grounded and approachable.
“I’ve been around all walks of life,” Blakes says. “I’ve absorbed a very diverse amount of [influences]. I’ve always been an observant, curious type of dude.”
Having graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in journalism, his education has allowed him to act as a cultural ambassador of sorts: writing for the Austin American- Statesman, hosting a program on KAZI 88.7FM, and serving as Urban Music Director for ME television.
Despite all of his efforts, the Austin hip-hop scene continues to be one of the most under-represented in the city’s diverse musical climate. Blakes has a few theories as to why this may be and posits that some people perceive Austin hip-hop as lacking credibility.
“You have an artist that comes through from Chicago and does his one show and all of a sudden all these people are there,” he says. “You are like, ‘Dang, I don’t ever see these people at my
shows.’ You don’t know whether to feel bad or move to Chicago.” But Blakes recognizes that just because someone is local doesn’t mean they automatically deserve support, especially in a scene where would-be fans are the competition.
“Now everyone is a rapper,” Blakes continues. “I think people are trying to get a pot of gold. It seemed like there were people who were huge success stories who really didn’t have any above average or great oratorical talent. Something from nothing, the whole ‘Hustle and Flow’ type thing. Anyone who could rap felt as if they deserved a stage as much as anybody else. A lot of the fans have converted into so-called artists.”
And in order to stay on top of the influx of stardom-seekers, Blakes has found new ways to stay relevant.
“Even the ones who have made a lot of noise, like myself, you have to work really hard and be around all the time to do that,“ he reveals.
In 2008, he released a new track every week as part of a series called “08IsSoGreat.” Later, that series was released as an iPhone application so fans could purchase the releases in a bundle. But Blakes claims he isn’t too overly concerned with marketing himself.
“As an artist I don’t really care about marketing, promotion, business, sales, or any of that besides the obvious: Putting yourself out there and continuing to offer it to the people who like it. I tend to view it from a very independent perspective.”
Despite arguments to the contrary, Blakes believes the audience for hip-hop is alive and well in Austin, but that the city must overcome its regionalism if the scene is to thrive.
“[S]ocially, as much as Austin portrays itself as liberal, there are a lot of aspects that are tied into black culture that are separate from everything else.” Many have speculated that Blakes’ move to the West Coast will finally allow him to reach the level of success that critics have often predicted for him. Blakes, who has been rapping and performing since elementary school, is not putting much emphasis on any sort of career prognosis.
“I haven’t been disappointed with the amount of support I’ve gotten for the effort that I’ve made [in Austin],” he shares. “You have people who do things based on the return, and you have people who do stuff because they don’t know what else to do with their time. I’m like that.”
As he heads to Los Angeles, Blakes looks forward to returning to Austin in the future. “I go to shows all the time and I see it. There is this mystique when you are not around and not ‘of the people.’ Basically people are more endeared to you when you are not around or don’t have time for them. So I just imagine what it would be like to get that out-of-town love in a city that I actually care for a lot.”
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Although I am sad to see a great artist like Bavu leave Austin, I am happy to see him take a step closer to where he wants to be in his career. I think Austin hip hop fans are great but I also recognize that after a while they start to take their own for granted. This article reminded me of a relationship that I was once in where I was giving this guy my all but he was giving me little to nothing in return. I left him and found a new and better relationship and in turn he came back around and all of a sudden wanted to be loving and supportive.
I hope that the universe places Bavu in a position that will allow him to move forward and reach all of his goals and get some worldwide exposure. I also hope that he becomes the hip hop artist that “puts our city on” because then Austin hip hop will be known for consciousness, eloquence and humility as opposed to recycled gangster garbage.
Good Luck Bavu!
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Aaliyah, thanks for your post. Really cool comparison; I’m glad this struck a chord with you. Let’s hope both Bavu and Austin get on the worldwide hip-hop map!