Blue Scholars

One deejay and one emcee – and that’s it.

Blue Scholars proves the immense power of hip-hop’s tried and true empirical formula. The combination of Geologic’s honest reflections about community and struggle with Sabzi’s melodic and soulful production form a distinct sound and exceptional chemistry only exhibited by duos such as Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Gang Starr, and Blackalicious.

It starts in Blue Scholars’ indie rock-dominated hometown of Seattle, which has already championed the duo as the next emerging artist to take the city beyond big butts and teen spirit. The duo has earned acclaim from Seattle Weekly, seizing Best Album for all music genres in 2004, along with Best Hip-hop Artist and Best Local Single for "The Ave" in 2005. Geo & Sabz have also found themselves No. 1 atop the charts of internationally renowned radio station KEXP.

The Blue Scholars identity grew out of a blue collar work ethic and critical analysis of one’s environment and experiences with the brilliance of a scholar. The two spent countless hours in a makeshift bedroom-studio with no intentions of forming a group. But countless intense political debates and progressive work with local youth forged a foundation through which the music would serve as an extension and expression.

Not only honing recorded material from the self-titled debut album and The Long March EP, Blue Scholars places an equal importance on the live performances because it allows the group share a direct connection and energy with the people. Since 2002 the duo has rocked over 200 shows with hip-hop icons such as Slick Rick and De La Soul, as well as rising stars like Immortal Technique and Little Brother. This has enabled the two to amass an audience spanning from true school heads like themselves to the next generation of hip-hoppers.

The accessibility of the Blue Scholars sound also warranted well-deserved slots at the prestigious Sasquatch and Bumbershoot Music Festivals pushing them beyond the limitations of an exclusively hip-hop fanbase. Geo & Sabz have also rocked shows from New York to Florida to California and everywhere in between to complement their Pacific Northwest success.

“Whether it's to get that next paycheck or get our land back, we've inherited a struggle that the folks coming after us will have to burden as well,” Geologic explained. “Our music reflects the hope that we'll work and fight if we have to, to lessen that burden.”

Blue Scholars won’t rest until its story has been told.