Bavu Blakes Name: Bavu Blakes Aka: Word Smith, Big Words, Voo Specialty: Diction Weapons: Flair, Vocabulary, Confidence Origin: Austin, TX Bio: Webster defines wordsmith in the form of a noun as a person who works with words; especially a skillful writer. Defined by those who write professionally as journalists, authors, newscasters or spin doctors - it is very much a verb. They wordsmith documents, speeches, quotes and letters. Many times this action involves finding more powerful, meaningful words that paint a picture and more clearly deliver a message. Dubbed "One of Texas' brightest new stars" by legendary rapper The D.O.C., Bavu Blakes is the ultimate wordsmith by both definitions. The baritone-voiced emcee has been reading and writing since he was three years old and writing poetry since he was five. Rhyming publicly since he first moved a crowd at his seventh grade talent show, his music industry education includes traveling with the Cash Money/Ruff Ryders 2000 Tour. As a writer/researcher, Blakes made numerous contacts and learned the ropes of full-scale touring, promotions, merchandising and more. Equally adept at writing, freestyling, performing and battling, this emcee offers both clarity and hype. While words and rhymes are clearly where Bavu’s talents shine, he places equal importance on beats. By defining tracks in terms of mood, rhythm and melody, he makes the music sound better. Creating a sense of cohesion between the lyrics and beats, Bavu’s music reveals this approach through clever, thought-provoking lyrics over diverse beats guaranteed to entice any listener’s ear. Blakes has been a sure and steady opener for national headliners and touring acts since the late 1990's. In the past few touring seasons, he has performed with Snoop Dogg (for the sixth time), The Roots (for the third time), Ludacris, De La Soul, Erykah Badu and many other major label and independent acts. Blakes’ debut CD, “Create & Hustle” was released around Texas in August ‘02, then selected to Murder Dog magazine’s “Best of 2002”. The album dropped nationally on May 20, 2003, was endorsed by The Source magazine’s “Independent’s Day” page just two weeks later, then made Vibe magazine’s Nov. ’03 “Vibe Raters” staff playlist. Bavu Blakes lives in Austin, TX, where his latest single, “Play the Role (bzz mix)” received 15-20 spins a week, peaking at No. 2 on the “Hot 8 at 8” as the city’s first local record added to a commercial playlist (KHDT “Hot” 93). He led Austin’s popular weekly all-freestyle set “Hip-Hop Humpday” for three years, and has been active in showcasing hip-hop talent from across Texas and the region since the mid-1990’s Bavu Blakes is focused on success and married to his keep-’em-guessing originality.  More concerned with longevity and substance, he possesses the creativity and the hustle to make his talent pay dividends. Be sure to check out www.bavublakes.com