EMCEE, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

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BAMBU

Bambu is a Filipino-American emcee and activist who is currently residing in Oakland. He quickly rose to prominence in the underground community with his hard-hitting socio-political themes and eclectic rap ability. The Fil-Am rapper has released over 20 projects and is also the founder of indie label Beatrock Music.

Personal life:

Bambu grew up in a working-class community in Los Angeles and was raised by Filipino immigrant parents. He was exposed to gang life at an early age, eventually leading to his arrest for armed robbery at the age of 16. After being released from the Central Juvenile Hall at the age of 18, he joined the United States Marine Corps.  

Musical career:

Bambu’s hip-hop journey already started in his teens, but it was mostly just for fun like joining rap cyphers and freestyling. It was after his experience in the military that he decided to take music seriously. In 2002, he released his debut LP called “Self untitled…”. Since then, Bambu has been consistently putting out various projects. His latest full-length album “Sharpest Tool in the Shed” dropped in October of 2020. Bambu has collaborated with hip-hop vets such as DJ Muggs and Killer Mike, and fellow Fil-Am lyricists Prometheus Brown (from Blue Scholars), Ruby Ibarra, and Rocky Rivera, to name a few. He established the Beatrock Music collective in 2009, which comprises of musicians, activists, and educators. In mid-2014, he also became part of Uprising’s roster. 

Bambu often raps about his socio-political views, the corresponding morality, his status as an ethnic minority, and stories from (or through the lens of) his colorful upbringing. His subject matter, unapologetic approach, and his sheer, undeniable rap ability, established him as a respected figure in both the American and Philippine underground scene. Bambu has performed various times in his motherland, the most recent of which was at the FlipTop Festival in February 2020.

Discography:

• Self untitled… (2002)

• .38 Revolver Mixtape (2005)

• …I scream bars for the children… (2007)

• …exact change… (2009)

• …paper cuts… (2010)

• …spare change… (2011)

• Diamond Supply Co. Presents: Bambu FreEP (2011)

• …one rifle per family (2012)

• The Lean Sessions EP (2013)

• Sun of a Gun Mixtape (2013)

• 5AM in Manila EP (2014)

• Party Worker (2014)

• The Comrades Sessions EP (2015)

• Prey for the Devil (2016)

• Exrcising a Demon – Article I – A Few Left (2018)

• Exrcising a Demon – Article II – Brother Hoods (2019)

• Sharpest Tool in the Shed (2020)

Samoan Cricket Bat

Bambu