this album out of the identity-rap rut into
the “that $!*@’s smokin’” stratosphere”.
– SF BayGuardian
“Their newest offering has underground content
with mainstream appeal… You get the feeling
that anything is possible when it comes to their
dynamic appeal”. – Smokingsection.net
“BRWN BFLO is on something quite different.
They definitely come from the street, but they
are also claiming their Mexican heritage and
progressive politics.” -38th Notes.com
The Oakland quartet shatters traditional
hip-hop parameters like bulls in a fine china
shop”. –Examiner.com
“BRWN BFLO is fun and energetic but always
political with the intellectual creativity of old-
school rappers like Afrika Bambaata”.
– Oakland Tribune
Download the Brwn Bflo
Spring 2011 Curriculum
BRWN BFLO (Brown Buffalo) may be everything the modern day Tea Party fears, but they are impeccably and diversely talented. Proud U.S.-born descendants of Mexican immigrants and Chicano activists, they are high caliber Hip Hopstorytellers, song-writers, public school educators AND they know how to rock a party! GIANT, BIGDAN and SOMOS ONE, each born in vastly different regions of California and into distinct circumstances, represent for their rebellious ancestors, for youth on the streets, as well as those who overcome odds to earn college degrees and fight for their place in academia. Though from distinct cohorts, these three Hip Hop emcees all graduated from UC Berkeley and earned reputations for turning parties into unforgettable musical experiences.
On 5 de Mayo, 2009 BRWN BFLO released their self-titled debut. Throughout 2010 each member released a solo project exploring their individual styles. They are currently finishing up their sophomore mixtape summer project “The New Amerika” as Big Dan prepares to release his soloAlbum this fall. Taking their message off the stageand into the classroom and streets, BRWN BFLOalso continue to provide multi media workshops on violence-prevention, youth organizing, creative writing/visual arts and music production, that are accessible for elementary through college level students and various not for profit organizations.
Currently residing in Oakland, the membersoriginate from all over California but blendeffortlessly in the studio and on stage. They haveperformed alongside Immortal Technique, Chingo Bling, Michael Franti, Goapele, Bambu, and ZionI among others. BRWN BFLO’s musical influence is as varied as their upbringings; they credit War, ‘Chente, NWA, and Wu-Tang Clan as sources of inspiration. These diverse influences have given way to a truly unique style of exciting Hip Hop music.