View source for BluRum13

{{short description|American rapper}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image           = File:BluRum13 at the Krempel Club, Switzerland, 2018.jpg
| name            = BluRum13
| caption         = BluRum13 at the Krempel Club in Switzerland
| image_size      =
| alias           = Blurum13, Blu Rum 13, BluRum 13, Killah Platypus
| birth_place     = [[New York, New York]], United States
| occupation      = Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor
| origin          = [[Washington D.C.]] United States
| genre           = [[New school hip hop]]<br>[[Underground hip hop]]<br> [[Funk]]<br>[[Jazz]] <br>[[Electronic music|Electronic]]
| years_active    = 1990-present
| label           = [[Ropeadope Records|Ropeadope]], Tokyo Dawn, Besides Records, [[Barely Breaking Even|BBE]], [[Ninja Tune]], Jazz Fudge, Beatgeeks
| associated_acts = Bullfrog, Russian Percussion, One Self, [[DJ Vadim]], [[Luke Vibert]], [[Fat Freddy’s Drop]], Reverse Engineering, True Ingredients, Water Power, Frameworks, [[Abstract Rude]], Indigenous Invaders, BluConnspiracy
| website         = www.blurum13.com
| instruments     = Vocals
}}
'''BluRum13''' (alternate spellings include Blu Rum 13, BluRum 13, and Blurum 13), born James Sobers, is an American [[Underground hip hop|underground rapper]], [[Master of ceremonies|emcee]], actor and producer who also uses the pseudonym Killa Platypus.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ugsmag.com/2008/10/blu-rum-13 |title=Ugs Magazine interview 2008 by Hannah Cherry |access-date=2013-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927014613/http://ugsmag.com/2008/10/blu-rum-13/ |archive-date=2012-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Originally from New York City, he spent most of his formative years in [[Washington, D.C.]], 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]], who included the song ''It's Obvious'' on his 2002 release ''U.S.S.R. Life From the Other Side''<ref>[[U. S. S. R. Life from the Other Side|Live show of the album U.S.S.R. Life From the Other Side]]</ref> (Ninjatune, 1990). BluRum toured as the live emcee for Vadim's group '''The Russian Percussion''' (also featuring [[beatboxer]] [[Killa Kela]], DJ [[Mr Thing]] and [[DJ Woody]]), 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.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
In 2013, after multiple collaborations with various artists and bands, BluRum released an online full-length album entitled ''Inverted''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://livehighfive.com/2013/10/25/interview-blurum13-new-album-inverted-now-blurum13-cyberpr-hiphop/ |title=Live High Five Interview with Blurum13 |access-date=2017-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929044223/http://livehighfive.com/2013/10/25/interview-blurum13-new-album-inverted-now-blurum13-cyberpr-hiphop/ |archive-date=2017-09-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2017, BluRum released ''Rainbows, Butterflies & Gangstas'' produced by Australian DJ/Producer and BBE label mate Inkswel (Beatgeeks Records).<ref>[https://au.eventbu.com/adelaide/blurum13-inkswel-launch-party/3347772 Blurum13 & Inkswel launch party]</ref>
In December 2018, BluRum13 released the inaugural track for Galant Records (sister label to [[Jarring Effects]]) digital series ''SEEDS'' with the single "Trying to Live" featuring the production of Lyon-based producer RXX/R33.<ref>[http://galant-records.com/en/js_artist/blurum13/ "20 Ans d'experimentation: BluRum13"]</ref>
===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'' (featuring [http://kidkoala.com/other/bullfrog/ Kid Koala]) from 1994 to 2004 (Atlantic/Rope-a-Dope Records<ref>[http://www.ropeadope.com/music/record/bullfrog Bullfrog Album on Ropeadope Records]</ref>). In 2005 Vadim and BluRum formed the [[hip hop]] group '''One Self''' with MC [[Yarah Bravo]], releasing the album ''Children of Possibility'' on Ninja Tune, and collaborating with [[Fat Freddy’s Drop]],<ref>[http://www.juno.co.uk/artists/Fat+Freddys+Drop/?show_out_of_stock=1 Fat Freddy's Drop, Cay's Crays 7" Single]</ref> and [[Reggie Watts]].<ref>[http://ninjatune.net/search?term=One+Self Album ''Children of Possibility'' on Ninja Tune record label]</ref> The group were described by [[The Times]] as "best newcomers of 2005" and won [[Channel 4]]'s Slashmusic Showcase.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ninjatune.net/ki/article/2005/jul/20/channel-4-slash-music|title=Ninja Tune}}</ref> 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]] with whom he released two albums. The first entitled Smell the Urgency{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} 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]].<ref>[https://ropeadope.com/news/2019/3/12/new-music-bluke New Music | BLUKE]</ref>
BluRum has been a featured emcee and live front-man for a number of other groups, including [[US3]], Reverse Engineering,<ref>[http://www.jarringeffects.net/en/artist/5_reverse-engineering Reverse Engineering feat. BluRum13 on label Jarring Effects, France] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707082540/http://www.jarringeffects.net/en/artist/5_reverse-engineering |date=July 7, 2012 }}</ref> [[Resin Dogs]],<ref>[http://www.beatbroker.com.au/news.php?newsid=144 Resin Dogs "More Tour" announcement feat. BluRum 13 on Beat Broker.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510152119/http://www.beatbroker.com.au/news.php?newsid=144 |date=May 10, 2013 }}</ref> [[Aquasky]],<ref>[https://archive.today/20130216074957/http://www.junodownload.com/products/tell-me-you-love-it/1356904-02/ Aquasky "Tell Me You Love It" feat. BluRum13]</ref> 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,<ref>[http://www.vilniusjazz.lt/2012/performer.php?id=1346157063 Mark Ayza Group featuring BluRum13 write-up on Vilnius Jazz]</ref> and also founded the dub-hop/electro step group Indigenous Invaders with DJ Toner<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kedin.es/granada/que-hacer/112932.html |title=DJ Toner Bio on Kedin Granada |access-date=2013-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610221258/http://kedin.es/granada/que-hacer/112932.html |archive-date=2015-06-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> (Granada). Indigenous Invaders appeared live at the world's first YouTube music festival{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} in Madrid on September 28, 2012.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130215113903/http://www.actuacomunicacion.com/noticia.aspx?i=751 Inzona YouFest line-up review]</ref> The band released a single titled "As long as I C" on Jarring Effects label,<ref>{{Citation|title=JFX Bits 5 - 22 - Indigenous Invaders - As long as I C|url=https://soundcloud.com/jarring-effects/jfx-bits-5-22-indigenous-invaders-as-long-as-i-c}}</ref> and in 2014 they released a digital EP titled "Above and Below"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/indigenous-invaders|title=Indigenous Invaders -|website=SoundCloud}}</ref> on SoundCloud. Indigenous Invaders performed at numerous festivals sharing stage with artists such as [[:nl:Dope D.O.D.|Dope D.O.D.]] and [[DJ Woody]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elbackstagemag.com/festival-de-musica-urbana-broken-dope-en-sala-el-tren-granada/|title=Festival de música urbana: Broken Dope en sala El Tren (Granada) -|website=El backstageMag}}</ref>
In 2017, BluRum13 reunited with former Russian Percussion tour mate [[DJ Woody]] and his close collaborator DJ Boca as "BocaWoody," appearing on five songs on their debut ''Carousel'' LP and accompanying 7" vinyl.<ref>[http://louderthanwar.com/news-bocawoody-to-release-debut-album-carousel BocaWoody Carousel LP review by Louder Than War .com]</ref><ref>[http://www.45live.net/magazine/article/bocawoody-jump-bocawoody "Jump" single & album review by 45 Live]</ref>
In 2023, BluRum released a full-length album produced by Adelaide-based producer Inkswel entitled Hypersonic,<ref>[https://www.bonafidemag.com/video-premiere-blurum13-inkswel-can-u-one-4-bonnita-featuring-dj-woody/]</ref> featuring long-time collaborator [[DJ Woody]] and American rapper [[Guilty Simpson]].
===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.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7760166/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 James Sobers IMDB]</ref>
==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]] 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, [[DJ Woody]]) 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]] 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==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://blurum13.com/ BluRum13 official website]
* [http://www.indigenousinvaders.com/ Indigenous Invaders official website]
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Blu+Rum+13#per=100&p=1&t=Releases_All BluRum13 Discogs]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blu Rum 13}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African-American rappers]]
[[Category:Rappers from Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Rappers from New York City]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]