BluRum13 (alternate spellings include Blu Rum 13, BluRum 13, and Blurum 13), born James Sobers, is an American underground rapper, emcee, actor and producer who also uses the pseudonym Killa Platypus. Originally from New York City, he spent most of his formative years in

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

, and is the great nephew of knighted cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers.

Career

Solo projects

BluRum13's first album ''The Previouslee Unreleased Recordings of BluRum13'' (not on a label) was the catalyst for subsequent collaborations with London-based

DJ Vadim Vadim Alexandrovich Peare (), known professionally as DJ Vadim, is a Russian-British DJ and record producer. Born in Saint Petersburg and raised in London, Peare is additionally a promoter, record collector, radio presenter, occasional painter ...

, who included the song ''It's Obvious'' on his 2002 release ''U.S.S.R. Life From the Other Side'' (Ninjatune, 1990). BluRum toured as the live emcee for Vadim's group The Russian Percussion (also featuring

beatboxer Beatboxing (also, and sometimes, called beat boxing) is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of mimicking drum machines (usually a TR-808), using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice.

Killa Kela Killa Kela (born Lee Potter) is a British beatboxer and rapper from West Sussex. Kela's career began in 1997 with the formation of the U.K. hip hop crew, 360 Physicals. He transitioned from a rapper and MC, to a beatboxer and vocalist, gaining ...

, DJ

Mr Thing Mr Thing is a British hip hop producer. He is a former member of the Scratch Perverts.Cordor, CyrilMr. Thing Biography, Allmusic, retrieved 2011-06-19 He has worked with such artists as Yungun, Doc Brown and Devise. Mr Thing was also the winner ...

and

DJ Woody DJ Woody (born 1977) is a prolific DJ and turntablist born in Burnley, Lancashire UK. Career He started DJing in 1992 but made his name through the DJ competition circuit when, in 2001, he was the first European DJ to win the ITF ( Internatio ...

), which was created to promote the album. BluRum's second album ''Vaguely Familiar'' was released on DJ Vadim's label Jazz Fudge, along with singles ''Sleep Speechless'' and ''Figure it Out''. In 2007, BluRum self-released the EP ''Tether'' with UK beat boxer Koobs. In 2013, after multiple collaborations with various artists and bands, BluRum released an online full-length album entitled ''Inverted''. In 2017, BluRum released ''Rainbows, Butterflies & Gangstas'' produced by Australian DJ/Producer and BBE label mate Inkswel (Beatgeeks Records). In December 2018, BluRum13 released the inaugural track for Galant Records (sister label to

Jarring Effects Jarring Effects is a French musical label based in Lyon, south-east of France. Jarring Effects encourages musicians to be independent, produce the music themselves, be creative and to make music they enjoy rather than trying to make it commercial ...

) digital series ''SEEDS'' with the single "Trying to Live" featuring the production of Lyon-based producer RXX/R33.

Bands and collectives

BluRum13 is well known for his work with various bands, producers and collectives in North America, Europe, and Australia. He was part of Montreal-based funk band ''Bullfrog'' (featurin
Kid Koala
from 1994 to 2004 (Atlantic/Rope-a-Dope Records). In 2005 Vadim and BluRum formed the

hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...

group One Self with MC Yarah Bravo, releasing the album ''Children of Possibility'' on Ninja Tune, and collaborating with

Fat Freddy’s Drop Fat Freddy's Drop is a New Zealand seven-piece band from Wellington, whose musical style has been characterised as any combination of dub, reggae, soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, and techno. Originally a jam band formed in the late 1990s by mus ...

, and

Reggie Watts Reginald Lucien Frank Roger Watts (born March 23, 1972) is an American comedian, musician, beatboxer, and actor. His improvised musical sets are created using only his voice, a keyboard, and a looping machine. He refers to himself as a "disinfo ...

. The group were described by

The Times ''The Times'' is a British Newspaper#Daily, daily Newspaper#National, national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its modern name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its si ...

as "best newcomers of 2005" and won

Channel 4 Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation. It is state-owned enterprise, publicly owned but, unlike the BBC, it receives no public funding and is funded en ...

's Slashmusic Showcase. BluRum was a member of London-based collective ''True Ingredients'' and Maryland-based collective ''Water Power''. BluRum has also collaborated with a number of producers including

Luke Vibert Luke Vibert (born 26 January 1973) is a British electronic musician and producer, also known for his work under several aliases such as Plug and Wagon Christ. Raised in Cornwall, Vibert began releasing projects in the 1990s across varied genre ...

with whom he released two albums. The first entitled Smell the Urgency was self-released online in 2004 then re-released on vinyl by France's Besides Records in 2017, while their second full-length album as Bluke entitled "Sense the Urgency" was released in 2019 on double-vinyl by

Ropeadope Records Ropeadope Records is an American record label known for recordings in a variety of genres including jazz, hip hop, gospel and electronic music. The label, now led by Louis Marks, was founded in 1999 by Andy HurwitzAndy Hurwitz"Ropeadope carves id ...

. BluRum has been a featured emcee and live front-man for a number of other groups, including US3, Reverse Engineering,

Resin Dogs Resin Dogs is an Australian hip hop group, formed in Brisbane, Queensland in 1996 based around the founding trio of DJ Katch (Andrew Garvie), produceBlunted Stylus(Geoff Boardman), and drummer, Dave "Acosta" Atkins. The group is a loosely str ...

Aquasky Aquasky is an English electronic group composed of Dave Wallace, Kieron Bailey, and Brent Newitt. Aquaskyat Allmusic In early 1995 they got together to produce their own music. Shortly afterwards they sent a demo tape to Moving Shadow records ...

, and many more. In 2012, BluRum13 released a joint project with Manchester artist Matt Brewer, a.k.a. Frameworks, entitled "The Brickbuilders EP." That same year, BluRum13 began a live show collaboration with acclaimed Spanish jazz drummer Mark Ayza, and also founded the dub-hop/electro step group Indigenous Invaders with DJ Toner (Granada). Indigenous Invaders appeared live at the world's first YouTube music festival in Madrid on September 28, 2012. The band released a single titled "As long as I C" on Jarring Effects label, and in 2014 they released a digital EP titled "Above and Below" on SoundCloud. Indigenous Invaders performed at numerous festivals sharing stage with artists such as Dope D.O.D. and

. In 2017, BluRum13 reunited with former Russian Percussion tour mate

and his close collaborator DJ Boca as "BocaWoody," appearing on five songs on their debut ''Carousel'' LP and accompanying 7" vinyl. In 2023, BluRum released a full-length album produced by Adelaide-based producer Inkswel entitled Hypersonic, featuring long-time collaborator

and American rapper

Guilty Simpson Byron Dwayne "Guilty" Simpson is an American rapper and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan whose recording career spans more than 20 years. He is signed to Stones Throw Records, and is known for being one of the late producer J Dilla's favorite r ...

Film

In 2016, James Sobers (a.k.a. BluRum13) played a supporting role as cowboy outlaw “Randy” in the cast of western feature film ‘’’The Price of Death’’’ by Chip Baker, shot in Almeria, Spain.James Sobers IMDB
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Discography

BluRum13 releases

* ''Hypersonic'' with Inkswel, Inner Tribe Records 2023 * ''Sense the Urgency'' BLUKE with Luke Vibert, Ropeadope Records 2019 * ''Trying to Live'' digital release, Galant Records, France 2018 * ''Smell the Urgency'' BLUKE with Luke Vibert, Besides Records, France 2017 * ''Rainbows, Butterflies & Gangstas'' (12") with Inkswel, MP3 BeatGeeks Records, Germany 2017 * ''BluConnspiracy'' Online release 2015 * ''Inverted'' (LP) Online release 2013 * ''The Brickbuilders EP'' with Frameworks (EP) My First Moth 2012 * ''Tell Me You Love It'' (EP) (2 versions) 777 Records 2008 * ''The Hip Hop EP'' (12") 777 Records 2008 * ''Choose To Care'' (12") The Elephant 2006 * ''Do It (4 What?) / Be 1 Too / Odds Even'' (12") Analogic Recordings 2005 * ''Earthbound / Futuristic B-Boys'' (12") The Elephant 2005 * "Did You?" Jazz Fudge 2003 * ''Figure It Out / It Is'' (12") Jazz Fudge 2001 * ''Vaguely Familiar'' (3 versions) Jazz Fudge 2001 * ''Sleep Speechless / On Course'' (12") Jazz Fudge 2000

Bullfrog

* Bullfrog / Robertson – Deeper Shade of Green (Independent) 2004 * Bullfrog – s/t (Ropeadope Records) 2001

One Self

* ''Organically Grown'' EP (November 2006) * ''Be Your Own'' w/

Amp Fiddler Joseph Anthony "Amp" Fiddler (May 17, 1958 – December 18, 2023) was an American singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. His musical styles included funk, soul, dance and electronica. He was probably best kn ...

remix 12” and Ltd Edition (Ninja Tune, April 2005) * ''The Blue Bird/Fear The Labour'' 12” (Ninja Tune, May 2005) * ''Children Of Possibility'' LP (Ninja Tune, June 2005) with Yarah Bravo and BluRum13. * ''Paranoid/Over Expose/Come Along'' 12” (Ninja Tune, September 2005)

True Ingredients

*''Who's Next'' single (2010) *''Prepare & Assemble'' album (2008) *''All Out'' single (2005)

Featured On

* ''Chosen'' Planetself ''High Tide'' Tokyo Dawn Records, 2018 * ''Chaos'' Woxow ''Alcazar'' Little Beat More, 2018 * ''Carousel LP'' BocaWoody (DJ Boca,

) 2017 * ''Jump'' (Single) 7" vinyl BocaWoody 2017 * ''Flip the Scripture'' The Allergies ''As We Do Our Thing'' (LP, Full-length album) Jalapeno Records, 2016 * ''Lost In A Vortex'' Berlin Eggsile (CD, Album, Jak) Jarring Effects 2010 * ''Stormy Minds'' Figure One (A JFX Studio Session) (12", White Album) Jarring Effects 2010 * ''Defiance'' ''Future Shock'' Highly Complex Machinery (CD, Album, Dig) Jarring Effects 2010 * ''Alignment'' Battlefield (2xLP, Album) Jarring Effects 2008 * ''Alignment'' French Dub System 2008 (CD, Comp) Wagram 2008 * ''Choose To Care'' Targets (Album) (2 versions) Discograph 2008 * ''Channels'' Just Banks ''Under The Influence'' (CD, Enh) Etage Noir Recordings 2008 * ''There Are Things...'' Closed (2xCD, Album) All Soundz 2007 * ''Choose To Care'' DJ Netik – Champion Sounds (CD, Mixed) DMC 2007 * ''DTTR'' (12") (Total Terror mix) Jarring Effects 2007 * ''End Game'' Resin Dogs ''More'' (CD, Album, Dig) Hydrofunk Records 2007 *

The Soundcatcher ''The Soundcatcher'' is a 2007 studio album by DJ Vadim, released on BBE. Critical reception John Bush of AllMusic gave the album 4 stars out of 5, saying, "Moved to BBE, which is a natural fit even compared to his old label Ninja Tune, Vadim k ...

Extras (Album) (2 versions) Quand Vient La Nuit BBE 2007 * ''Invisible Soldiers'' Olven ''Миледи'' (CD, Album) True-Melody 2007 * ''A Hundred Days In One'' (2 versions) Rest Assured Catskills Records 2006 * ''Cay's Crays'' (Single) (3 versions) * ''Cay's Crays'' (One Self) Kartel Creative 2006 * ''Duck And Cover'' (CD, Album) Tug O War, Soundsystem, Jarring Effects 2006 * ''Ghost Forest'' (CD, Album) No Fridge 2006 * ''Temptation'' Jstar UK Dubs Remixes Vol. 1 (12") Jstar 2006 * ''Liquid Surfaces'' Re-Processed #1 (2 versions) Jarring Effects 2006 * ''Między Nami Cafe 4'' (CD, Comp, Mixed, Dig) "Be Your Own" (Amp Fiddler) Audiopharm 2005 * ''Nutrition Facts'' (CD, Album) Dramenbejsky Gig Ant 2005 * ''Mash Up'' (2 versions) "Choose To Care" (Main) Discograph 2005 * ''Reverse Engineering Feat. BluRum13'' (LP) Jarring Effects 2005 * ''U.S.S.R. The Art Of Listening'' (Album) (2 versions) "Till Suns In Your Eyes" Ninja Tune 2002 * ''U.S.S.R. Life From The Other Side'' (Album) (5 versions) 2002 * ''Bullfrog EP'' 2 (CD, Mini) Rope-a-Dope/Atlantic Records 2000 * ''It's Obvious'' (Single) (2 versions) Ninja Tune 1999

Tracks Appear On

* ''Love to Hate War'' (Dusty Remix) Various – Electro Swing Fever (4xCD, Comp + Box) Wagram 2010 * ''Stormy Minds'' Various – Audioactivism No. 2 (CD, Comp) Jarring Effects 2010 * ''Tell Me You Love It'' Break Beat Bass Vol 4 (CD, Mixed by Aquasky) Passenger 2008 * ''Soundsystem'' Various – Métissages Vol. 1 (CD, Comp) V2 Music France 2006 * ''Choose to Care'' Various - Scopitone Nantes/Rezé (CD, Comp, Dig) Olympic (3) 2006 * ''Talking Green'' ''Dope Beats Vol. 1'' – ''Jusqu'Ici Tout Va Bien'' (CD, Comp, Dig) Supadope Records 2005 * ''Did You'' DJ Vadim – Stereo Pictures Vol. 03 (CD, Mixed, Promo, Album) MK2 Music 2003 * ''Letter Twenty Five'' Juice CD Volume 21 (CD, Comp) Juice Magazine 2002 * ''It Is'' MPM (Mikirov Per Minute) (Cass) 2002 * ''It Is'' Spotlight Records (3) 2002 * ''We Might Be You'' Up North Trip, (CD, Comp, Promo) Under Pressure Magazine 2002 * ''It's Obvious'' No. 20 (Cass, Comp, Mixed) Not On Label (DJ Kojak Self-released) 2000

Unofficial releases

* Def Beat Remixes Vol. 3 (2xLP, Comp, Unofficial) 2005

References

External links

BluRum13 official website

Indigenous Invaders official website

BluRum13 Discogs
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blu Rum 13 1974 births Living people African-American rappers Rappers from Washington, D.C. Rappers from New York City 21st-century American rappers 21st-century African-American musicians 20th-century African-American musicians