Bavu Blakes is originally from Dallas, but after attending the University of Texas in Austin, he stayed in "The Live Music Capital of the World" to leave his own musical mark. A conversational MC capable of both pointed criticism and witty lyricisms, Blakes' unique style is intellectual without being boring. In other words, his beats are still tight. Blakes was instrumental in the further establishment of Austin's nascent hip-hop scene with the formation of Hip Hop Humpday. A loose collective of DJs, MCs, musicians, and artists, Humpday was built around Blakes, Tee Double, and Tray God. Each Wednesday at Club Mercury on Austin's 6th Street, the Humpday crew would present freestyle battles, live music, performances, and the best tracks from around the globe. It was a hodgepodge of unpredictability, but one that supported the city's burgeoning scene. In 2002, Word4Word released Create & Hustle, Blakes' debut full-length. A concept album of sorts, the album presented the daily life of Blakes as a struggling artist grappling with a difficult world. Critiques of hip-hop culture and more personal moments intersected with downtempo grooves and live jazz instrumentation, making for a solid debut. In February of 2003, Blakes appeared as a guest MC on Hydroponic Sound System's Synthesis EP. ~ Johnny Loftus