
Blanco
Berkeley, California, United States | INDIE
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
This band has no press
Discography
Got-Purp Volume 1
GhostRider
Blanco's Way
Nosebleed Muzik
Got-Purp Volume 2
Wizeguys
Guerrilla Warfare
American Psycho
Portrait of a Serial Killer
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
On the surface Bay Area rapper Blanco is every bit the beast and the beauty. As the co-founder of the industrys most controversial independent label, he is the very definition of a young boss. Tried, proven and capable, he too leads the way as Guerrilla Entertainments main artist, demonstrating the professionalism and hustle it takes to earn a name in an unforgiving industry.
A product of his environment in and out of the studio, Blanco could rap his way out of a street fight, or instigate one just the same. Enigmatic as he might be, Blanco knows who he is and more importantly perhaps, who he is not.
At first sight and sound the Berkeley, California native might seem to subscribe to the trappings of the underworld; but beyond the flashing lights, his story is deeper and more truth telling than the average rapper.
Im not from the hood, so I cant tell that story, he admits without pause. I wasnt on street corners day and night; so I cant tell that story. My story is a different perspective that hasnt been told before. But it still has all those elements and its all true.
With approximately 15 albums to his credit between collaborations, mixtapes and street albums, Blanco is as tested an emcee as there comes. In the last seven years since he dropped his first street tape, Got-Purp Volume 1, hes embraced the opportunity to grow as an emcee, doing so by maintaining a wherewithal for social conditions and his own truth.
Nosebleed Music, while reckless, funny and disruptive, was released at the height of the hyphy movement in 2005. Thereafter, Blancos Way found the rapper more polished, effectively setting the stage for his forthcoming, American Psycho.
If you look at that and compare it to my music now, you can see a big contrast, he says. I wouldnt say its deep or anything, because I still make all types of music; but its just a more serious tone. Its a lot realer now. The older stuff doesnt have the same dedication or the same professionalism. Its a different vibe.
Having accomplished so much, Blanco remains his biggest critic, to the point he considers American Psycho his first official album. While he doesnt yearn Executive Producer or Engineer credits, Blanco is very much the studio maestro. From mixing to mastering and everything in between, his sessions dont end once he exits the booth.
Slated for a February 2011 release and packaged with a bonus street album entitled Blanco: Portrait Of A Serial Killer, American Psycho features an eclectic mix of talent from every corner of the country. Messy Marv, San Quinn, Nipsey Hussle, Freeway, Jacka, Redman and Erk The Jerk, are among the rappers featured, all of whom Blanco included because he has the clout and ability to do so.
I do big features because I can do big features, he says. I wanna make good music and make classic songs and if that means I need to do a feature, so be it. People are going to critique that, but I gotta do it either way.
Whether hes ultimately evaluated by skill or influence, Blanco is smart enough to know judgment day is imminent. With that in mind, American Psycho is armed with A-list producers such as Raw Smoov, Erk Tha Jerk, Sean T, Bedrock, Heatrock and Spain products, Cookin Soul.
An obvious spin of the 2000 silver screen success, the parallels between actor Christian Bale and rapper Blanco begin and end conceptually on either version of American Psycho.
I liked how dude was living a double life. Thats kinda how I feel in general, Blanco says, referencing a federal case hes been fighting for three years. When I go to court I have to dress a certain way. When I talk to my lawyers I have to act a certain way. Then when I go back to this lifestyle its completely different.
Blanco comes out swinging on Act 1, taking aim at all the haters while simultaneously carrying the track from start to finish. Unapologetic and fearless, he breathes life into American Psycho with witty flows and a likable hook.
My solo songs, Im addressing the haters a lot, he says. What Im trying to do in general with my whole style, my whole swag, is separate myself from everybody else.
If his intention is to establish himself as an elite rapper, Blanco takes two steps forward by spitting alongside the industrys most respected emcees.
The hypnotic Dope Money, featuring Jacka and The Boy Boy Young Mess (aka Messy Marv), is an unsurprising success, considering the trios triumph on the previously released Jonestown compilation. However, tracks such as High Life, featuring Freeway and the Dorrough, Gucci Mane assisted Yeah, work to accomplish Blancos goal of making music for the masses.
Likewise, Smash Hard, a playful, mid tempo ditty, features East Coast legend Redman - one Blanco just had to have. It doesnt necessarily match the rest of the album, but I like it a lot.
Ironically, Curtain Call, the only other song Blanco spits b
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