Bleubird

Letting loose a rapid assault of fierce rhymes, Montreal-by-way-of-Florida rapper Bleubird seems to employ a number of different rap personas — witty, sarcastic hipster, nerdcore lyricist, off-the-wall comedian, and zealous anti-establishmentarian. His out-from-left-field musical sensibilities, which are equal parts B-boy swagger and indie rock experimentalist, add depth to his lyrically inclined raps. Bleubird was born Jacques Bruna in southern Florida in 1982. His love for hip-hop came about during grade school, soaking in 2 Live Crew, Public Enemy, and Tuff Crew, but it fully flourished when he went off to college in Orlando, FL. Thrown into a rich underground scene, Bruna hosted open mic sessions and dabbled in a few groups. He relocated to Canada to get away from the pressures of his family, who did not want him involved in rap music, but also so that he could be closer to his label home, Endemik Music. With the help of its owner, Scott Da Ros, Endemik served as a vehicle for many of Bleubird's eccentric recordings, including his official debut Sloppy Doctor (2003), the vinyl EP Pilgrim of St. Zotique (2006), and the full-length album Rip U$a (The Birdfleu) (2007). Nonetheless, in between solo projects, he managed to start up group collaborations like Les Swashbuckling Napoleons and Gunporn (released Pretty Pretty Please in 2004). He formed the latter with overseas artists while on tour in Europe.