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Blue Scholars "Bayani" The Northwest was the last of the four corners to open eyes in the Hip Hop community. Perhaps Seattle's problem is that Sir Mix-A-Lot was their biggest export in the genre. "Baby Got Back" had novelty value but isn't exactly "T.R.O.Y." Recently groups such as Boom Bap Project, Oldominion, Common Market and Blue Scholars have garnered national praise. Blue Scholars' self-titled debut and The Long March EP were characterized by Sabzi's plush backdrops coupled with Geologic's social commentary. With "Bayani" loosely translating to "voice of the people", the duo encourages listeners to stand up and challenge the establishment. As proactive participants in their community, it's no shock that Bayani serves as protest music for the Hip Hop generation. The anti-war sentiment of "Back Home" bares a human touch. It's a shoutout to all the soldiers who should be safe at home with their friends and families. "50K Deep" is an autobiographical account of Geo's experiences at the W.T.O protests and so-called "riots" of 1999. The "Xenophobia" instrumental rides out before leading into "The Distance", a tale suggesting the fabled American Dream may actually comprise of pain and hardships. It's a subject close to home since Geo and Sabzi are both second-generation immigrants of Filipino and Iranian heritage respectively. "Joe Metro" offers an up-close seat as they cruise Seattle's mass-transit system. Geo comfortably narrates with the flair of a spoken word artist and poet. Spoken word is irrelevant with Sabzi playing the Pete Rock to Geo's C.L Smooth. A classically trained musician with a prior history in punk and ska, Sabzi traveled the roundabout path to Hip Hop respect. This grab-bag of influences is ever-present in Bayani's musical arrangements. The uplifting horns of the "for better or worse" hometown ode "North by Northwest" are in stark contrast to Seattle's dreary image. Sabzi orchestrates empowering soundscapes whether Geo stands toe-to-toe with struggle on "Opening Salvo" or the inspirational "Morning of America" which pieces together the puzzle of growing up. The duo's second LP is rounded out with character anthems such as "Loyalty" and the forgive and forget message of "Still Got Love". "I'm face to face, no fake Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal types of handshakes". Bayani is a slice of Seattle-living topped off by issues that create angst and frustration, whether it's war or ethnic intolerance. The group name Blue Scholars and the humble rumblings of "Ordinary Guys" paint Geo and Sabzi as regular Joe's with high aspirations for their community. The melting pot of the nation and on a smaller scale Hip Hop brought together two individuals of vastly different musical and ethnic backgrounds, so in turn they offer a tug in a positive direction. Geo is the tour guide sketching audible portraits, while somebody needs to inform the other genres of music that Sabzi is Hip Hop's to keep. 4 out of 5 andy