In the midst of a five-year run that has seen the release of two full-length albums, an EP, and countless packed shows, Seattle’s Blue Scholars continue to the carry the torch for the Pacific Northwest’s burgeoning Hip-Hop scene. With their latest release “Bayani” leaving an indelible mark on 2007, the duo has built on the momentum of their critically-lauded album with a restless schedule of national and regional touring.

In further efforts to stay in motion, Blue Scholars have hit the studio to record their new digital-only EP, “Joe Metro,” before embarking on their upcoming third full-length tour.

With equal attention paid to the stage and the studio, Emcee Geologic and DJ/producer Sabzi bring an innovative yet familiar sound distinguishable from what’s currently blasted on MTV or BET. Prior to the duo’s formation, Geo made local rounds as a battle emcee and spoken-word performer, while Sabzi honed his skills as a classical and jazz-trained pianist while coming up in the indie ska and punk scene. This unlikely partnership set the precedent for what distinguishes the group from the vast sea of independent hip-hop artists – the ability to strike a balance between worlds usually seen distant from one another. Poetic lyricism with beats you can dance to; Marxist theory with Baha’i spirituality with musical influences ranging from Thelonius Monk and Aphex Twin to Marvin Gaye and J Dilla.

Blue Scholars are just as much rooted in community as they are in music. Their experiences in the world of academia provide an intellectual dimension to their craft, while their backgrounds as second-generation sons of working-class immigrants keep the music grounded. Less sloganeering and more storytelling, the current state of Blue Scholars showcases a more focused Geologic and a polished Sabzi coming into their own as a premier DJ-emcee duo.

Blue Scholars will be hitting the road this fall kicking things off at CMJ next week supporting Q-Tip, and continuing to tour through the Midwest and West Coast throughout November and December. They will wrap things up in their homebase curating “The Program”, a five night series showcasing the Northwest scene’s most exciting hip-hop artists. In conjuction with KEXP and The Stranger, the event will commence at Neumo’s December 18th-22nd.

Fall 2007 Tour

Oct 16 NYC, NY @ Gramercy CMJ Opening Party with Q-Tip, Gramercy
Oct 22 Philadelphia, PA @University of Pennsylvania, Houston Hall
Nov 2 Tacoma, WA @ Hell’s Kitchen
Nov 3 Spokane, WA @ Whitworth University

Blue Scholars w/ Psalm One
Nov 13 Iowa City, IA @ Picador
Nov 14 Madison, WI @ Annex
Nov 15 Sioux Falls, IA @ Nuttys
Nov 16 Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
Nov 17 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
Nov 18 Minneapolis, MN@ 7th St
Nov 19 Kansas City, KS @ Record Bar
Nov 20 Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room

Blue Scholars w/ Swollen Members and Evidence
Nov 23 Aspen, CO @ Belly Up
Nov 24 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
Nov 26 Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
Nov 27 Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
Dec 10 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre (also with Eyedea & Abilities)
Dec 12 Bend, OR @ Midtown
Dec 15 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey (also with la coka nostra)
Dec 16 San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord All Ages $10, $12 (just Blue Scholars)

The Program Sponsored by KEXP and The Stranger
Dec 18 – 22 @ Neumos Seattle, WA
Dec 18 – Blue Scholars, Surprise Special Guest (really!), Unexpected Arrival, Siren’s Echo :: DJ DV One
Dec 19 – Blue Scholars. Common Market, D. Black, Sleep of Old Dominion, Can-U ::DJ Vitamin D
Dec 20 – Blue Scholars, Saturday Knights , Khingz, Grynch :: DJ B-Mello
Dec 21 – Blue Scholars, Dyme Def, J. Pinder, GMK :: DJ Jake One
Dec 22 – Blue Scholars, Cancer Rising, The Physics :: DJ blesOne