Country of origin USA Founded 1989 | ||
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Official website Project Blowed on Twitter | ||
Who the f ck is you project blowed
Project Blowed is an open-mic workshop, its affiliated underground hip hop crew and record label based in Los Angeles, California. This hip hop function started in 1994 and features many music groups, emcees, and dancers local to the Southern California area.
Contents
- Who the f ck is you project blowed
- Busdriver presents project blowed dummy guide mix
- History
- Social impact
- Women
- Expansion
- References
Busdriver presents project blowed dummy guide mix
History
The roots of Project Blowed can be traced back to the Good Life Cafe, a health food center in South Central Los Angeles, California. It was described by UGSMAG as "a platform for rappers to perform their material" and "a testing ground for Los Angeles' independent rap scene". Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Lenny Kravitz reportedly attended the open-mic.
In 1994, Aceyalone and Abstract Rude produced the original Project Blowed compilation album. It was released in 1995. In 2005, Project Blowed released a follow up album, Project Blowed: 10th Anniversary, on Decon.
Social impact
Project Blowed is the essential outlet for much of the LA underground African American culture. It is a place that many people of all genders can go a freestyle, rhyme, or just speak what is on their mind. Project Blowed was a turning point for the underground culture; it “did not fan the flames of urban decay and societal attacks. Project Blowed was putting out the fire.” Rappers were required to pay a small fee to enter a battle and formally introduce themselves, and “MCs generally did not resort to homophobic slurs or excessive name calling during rap battles, as such behavior denoted lack of skill.” This group discouraged violent activity among the youth and encouraged strict norms and respect. The participation in Project Blowed positively shaped the lives of the local community.
Blowed events provided a “creative outlet and alternative career outside of gang life” for young black men. One of these men, Trenseta, the “King of Crenshaw,” after time in jail, spent time mentoring young rappers at Project Blowed. They successfully built a community and a network for these young, aspiring rappers. For many the collective nature of Blowed is a lot of its appeal; from MC’s and DJ’s to break and funk dancers for many, “The Blowed is like a family.”
Women
While male MCs were more prominent at Project Blowed, five female members consistently appeared in the beginning of Project Blowed. Medusa, a female MC, MCed Project Blowed for over twenty years. She was the first MC at Thursday Night and won many battles with men and women.
Expansion
With the expansion of the Blowdian roster to include newer groups such as Customer Service and Swim Team, Project Blowed has since opened new additional workshops in California's Inland Empire to accompany its former primary location in Leimert Park, Los Angeles.