Bambu (rapper)

Last updated
Bambu
Birth nameJonah Deocampo [1]
Also known asJonah Deocampo
Bambu DePistola
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Community activist
Instrument(s)Vocals
LabelsBeatrock Music
Website https://beatrockmusic.com/

Jonah Deocampo, better known by his stage name Bambu, [2] is a Filipino-American community activist and rapper from Los Angeles, California. [3] He has been called "one of the most well-respected indie musicians in the US". [4]

Contents

The son of a Filipino emigrant mother, Bambu was raised in a working-class Los Angeles neighborhood which was characterized by a "wartime mentality." [2] At the age of 15, he became involved with street gangs. At 16, he was arrested for armed robbery and spent time in Los Angeles' Central Juvenile Hall. Released at 18, Bambu was advised by a judge to join the United States Marine Corps, which he did. He served as a special operations training group instructor (SARC) and spent time in East Timor, the Middle East, and Okinawa, Japan. [5]

Bambu's Exrcising a Demon is a 5-part series that weaves voices from Filipino-American gang members as a means of documenting early 1980s and 1990s Los Angeles. Article I: A Few Left was released in September 2018, and Article II: Brother Hoods was released in June 2019.

Bambu's music deals with themes of police brutality, racial prejudice and economic inequality. [2] [6] His music often alludes to leftist figures, including Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, and Mao Zedong. For example, his 2007 album ...i scream bars for the children... features a song entitled "Chairman Mao."

Bambu was the Secretary General of Kabataang Makabayan USA (KM, also known as Patriotic Youth) in Los Angeles.

He is a resident of Oakland, California. [6] [7]

He also has a deal with FlipTop Battle League, showing in their live events, recently at the FlipTop Festival.

During the height of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Bambu released a 7-song album "Sharpest Tool In The Shed." The album finds Bambu continuing his staunch critique of the status quo, as well as giving words of support to his listeners as they work through the pandemic.

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Scholars</span> American hip hop duo based in Seattle, Washington

Blue Scholars is an American hip hop duo based in Seattle, Washington, created in 2002 while the members, DJ Sabzi and MC Geologic, were students at University of Washington.

Eric Strand, better known as Fatgums, is an American record producer, hip hop DJ and independent record label owner/president. He is best known for his work with rapper Bambu of the rap group Native Guns. Fatgums' independent record label, Beatrock Music, was founded in 2009 in collaboration with the Long Beach based clothing company Beatrock.

<i>...A Peaceful Riot...</i> 2009 studio album by Fatgums X Bambu

...A Peaceful Riot... is the debut EP by underground hip hop duo Fatgums & Bambu, released on April 25, 2009. Prior to the release, the duo's rapper Bambu had released three solo albums entitled Self Untitled..., ...I Scream Bars for the Children..., and ...Exact Change..., and one album entitled Barrel Men as a member of the group Native Guns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nipsey Hussle</span> American rapper (1985–2019)

Ermias Joseph Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle, was an American rapper, entrepreneur, and activist. Emerging from the West Coast hip hop scene in the mid-2000s, Hussle independently released his debut mixtape, Slauson Boy Volume 1, to moderate local success, which led to him being signed to Cinematic Music Group and Epic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stalley</span> American rapper from Ohio

Kyle Alfonso Myricks, better known by his stage name Stalley, is an American rapper from Massillon, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ty Dolla Sign</span> American singer

Tyrone William Griffin Jr., known professionally as Ty Dolla Sign, is an American singer, rapper, and record producer from Los Angeles, California. He first gained recognition for his guest appearance on hometown rapper YG's 2010 single "Toot It and Boot It", which entered the Billboard Hot 100 as his first minor hit. He signed with Atlantic Records in 2012, and Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang Entertainment the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dom Kennedy</span> American rapper

Dominic Ross Hunn, better known by his stage name Dom Kennedy, is an American rapper from Leimert Park, Los Angeles, California. Since 2008, Kennedy has released 5 independent mixtapes, most notably his 2010 critically acclaimed mixtape From the Westside with Love. His first commercial studio album From the Westside with Love II was released on iTunes June 28, 2011. Despite it being his iTunes debut, FTWSWL2 received "a top 10 spot on Hip Hop/Rap albums chart during its release week" and was Kennedy's first album associated with The OpM Company, Kennedy's self-established record label. His song "My Type of Party" was ranked by Complex at #43 in the magazine's Best 50 Songs of 2012 list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vince Staples</span> American rapper and singer (born 1993)

Vincent Jamal Staples is an American rapper, singer, actor, and songwriter from Long Beach, California. Staples first became known for his association with California-based alternative hip hop collective Odd Future, namely Mike G and Earl Sweatshirt. He signed with Talib Kweli's Blacksmith Records prior to releasing his collaborative mixtape with Mac Miller, Stolen Youth (2013). The following year, he signed with No I.D.'s ARTium Recordings, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings to release his debut extended play, Hell Can Wait (2014)—which marked his first project to chart on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac Miller</span> American rapper (1992–2018)

Malcolm James McCormick, known professionally as Mac Miller, was an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Miller began his career in Pittsburgh's local hip hop scene in 2007, at the age of 15. In 2010, he signed a record deal with independent label Rostrum Records and released his breakthrough mixtapes K.I.D.S. (2010) and Best Day Ever (2011). Miller's debut studio album, Blue Slide Park (2011), became the first independently distributed debut album to top the US Billboard 200 since 1995.

Darien Corey Dash, Jr., known professionally as Dash, is an American rapper. Apart from his solo career, he was a member of Heir Global, alongside former friend and collaborator, Retch. Dash is also an affiliate of ASAP Mob, making his first high-profile appearance on their debut mixtape Lords Never Worry, in 2012. He frequently works with record producer Mordecai Beats, with whom he released the mixtape La Cienega (2012). Da$h has also collaborated with several prominent rappers in the hip-hop industry, including Ab-Soul, Action Bronson, Earl Sweatshirt, Vince Staples, Suicideboys, and Mac Miller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamville Records</span> American record label

Dreamville Records is an American record label founded by American rapper J. Cole and his manager Ibrahim Hamad. The label is currently distributed through Interscope Records, a unit of Universal Music Group. The roster includes Bas, Ari Lennox, Cozz, Omen, Lute, JID, EarthGang, and Cole himself. Dreamville also houses American record producers Elite, Ron Gilmore, and Cedric Brown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil Bibby</span> American rapper (born 1994)

Brandon George Dickinson, better known by his stage name Lil Bibby, is an American rapper and record executive from Chicago, Illinois. Beginning his career in 2011, Bibby released his debut mixtape, Free Crack in 2013. The project was followed by Free Crack 2 (2014) and Free Crack 3 (2015) before he signed with Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Records, an imprint of RCA Records. However, he released no studio albums under the label. He then shifted focus onto expanding his record label—Grade A Productions—in 2017, through which he has signed commercially successful acts including fellow Chicago native, rapper and singer Juice Wrld, as well as Australian rapper and singer the Kid Laroi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cozz</span> American rapper

Cody Rashad Osagie, better known by his stage name Cozz, is an American rapper. He is signed to J. Cole's label Dreamville Records and Interscope Records. His debut studio album Cozz & Effect, was released in October 2014. He has since released other projects, such as his 2016 project Nothin' Personal and in 2018 he released Effected his second Studio Album. He also released his Fortunate EP in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skinny (rapper)</span> Recording artist, record producer

Skinny, is a Saudi American rapper, born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J.Lately</span> American rapper

J.Lately, born Jeremy Namkung, is an American rapper from Sebastopol, California. Lately entered the hip hop scene in 2009 with his debut mixtape, Straight Outta Somewhere, presented by 2Dopeboyz.com. J.Lately’s name comes from the idea that one should continually seek change through growth and progression versus the thought that change is bad and one shouldn’t be different than they used to be, so this is him, "Lately."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robb Banks</span> American rapper and singer

Richard O'Neil Burrell, better known by his stage name Robb Banks, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born in New York City and raised in Broward County, Florida, he gained recognition with the Raider Klan movement in 2012. In that year, he released his debut mixtape Calendars and its follow-up, Tha City the following year. He is best known for his association with fellow South Florida-based cloud rap artists, namely XXXTentacion and the group Members Only, as well as his 2013 singles "All the Way Live" and "On Me". He signed with 300 Entertainment to release his debut studio album, Year of the Savage (2015).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trippie Redd</span> American rapper and singer (born 1999)

Michael Lamar White IV, known professionally as Trippie Redd, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. His debut mixtape, A Love Letter to You (2017) was released by Elliot Grainge's 10K Projects and entered the Billboard 200, while its lead single, "Love Scars" received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil Tracy</span> American rapper and singer (born 1995)

Jazz Ishmael Butler, professionally known as Lil Tracy, is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. He was also known under the name Yung Bruh during the beginning of his career. Tracy is best known for his collaborations with the late rapper Lil Peep, specifically "Awful Things" which peaked at 79 on the Billboard Hot 100, and for being a prominent member of the "SoundCloud rap" and underground rap scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghostemane</span> American artist

Eric Whitney, known professionally as Ghostemane or Eric Ghoste, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper and musician. He has released eight solo albums and three collaborative albums under his Ghostemane moniker, primarily merging elements of heavy metal, hip hop and industrial music. Whitney has also released music with a number of additional solo projects, pursuing styles including black metal as Baader-Meinhof, noise music as GASM, and electronic music as Swearr. He began his career in local hardcore punk and doom metal bands around Florida. In 2015, he moved to Los Angeles, California, starting a career as a rapper, under the moniker Ill Bizz. Around this same time, he was a member of the hip hop collective Schemaposse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quando Rondo</span> American rapper, singer-songwriter

Tyquian Terrel Bowman, professionally known by his stage name Quando Rondo, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is signed to Never Broke Again and Atlantic Records. He initially gained attention with the release of his song "I Remember" featuring Lil Baby in January 2018, leading to him dropping three mixtapes, Life B4 Fame (2018), Life After Fame (2018), and From the Neighborhood to the Stage (2019).

References

  1. "A SUNRISE BEFORE". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Denise Guerra; Michel Martin (20 May 2017). "Bambu: 'My Music Is Here To Push People To Organize'". NPR. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  3. Pujazon, Nicole (November 14, 2016). "Artist Watch: Bambu". moderntreatise.com. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  4. Chavez, Yong (September 22, 2013). "Why Fil-Am rapper is offering his music for free". ABS-CBNnews.com . Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  5. Jones, Tracy (December 29, 2016). "Filipino Rapper Bambu's New Album, Prey for the Devil, Is a Political Firebomb". LA Weekly . Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  6. 1 2 Burlison, Dani (March 9, 2015). "From Gangs to Glory: Bambu's Political Hip-Hop for the People". KQED . Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  7. Fabber, Ryley. "Artist You Should Know: Bambu". Man Of The Hour. Retrieved 12 December 2019.