In December Project Blowed celebrated its 20th anniversary in Leimert Park. Since the days of the Good Life open mic workshops in the early 90s, Project Blowed has been an institution fostering generations of Los Angeles free thinkers, rappers, and beat makers. With a track record that includes Freestyle Fellowship, Abstract Rude, Busdriver, Nocando, and Open Mike Eagle, one must always keep a watchful eye on the happenings in Leimert Park for the next generation of inventors.
In December Friday Night alum Kenny Segal posted an Instagram of Linafornia performing the Blowedian Anniversary, fresh off her Beat Cinema championship. These are top honors that become all the more significant when you take into account Linafornia stepped onto the beat scene last summer, a rapid ascension for an artist in a city that’s mastery of the SP-404 runs deep. The accolades are leading to talks of a debut with respected purveyors of the beat scene, but that’s getting ahead of ourselves. Linafornia’s “The First Impressions Mix” is her intro to let you know. From homages to the elders with her own Freestyle Fellowship remix to crate classics like Roy Ayer’s “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”, Linafornia approached her mix with the understanding that a first impression is often a lasting one.
Linafornia offered the following thoughts on making a first impression:
So, I’m in this new realm where I’m constantly meeting new people and introducing myself. I’ve always been told first impressions are lasting, so I’m introducing myself by presenting this mix to yall as a representation of me and all the elements that come with my artistry. Hope yall enjoy all the grooves, melodies, and bass lines. Peace!
“The First Impressions Mix” tracklisting:
01 Arthur Verocai, “Caboclo”
02 Linafornia, “dot wav (Freestyle Fellowship remix)”
03 Outkast, “Spotteottiedopaliscious”
04 Lastnamedavid, “Narnia”
05 Mr. SCRUFF, “Honey Dew”
06 Johnny Osbourne, “Love is Universal”
07 Clint Eastwood & General Saint, “I Can’t Take Another World War”
08 Marcia Griffiths, “Feel Like Jumping”
09 Linafornia, “dubwarpp”
10 Nasrockwell, “bendincorners”
11 Me’shell Ndegeocello, “Soul Searching”
12 Bucwheed, “Smokers’ Emporium”
13 Roy Ayers, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”
14 Mulatu Astatke, “Mulatu”
15 Linafornia, “Duna”
16 Linafornia, “wussup”
17 S. I. N., “Power of the P”
18 Freestyle Fellowship, “Heavy Weights”
19 Linafornia, “hi-scrimps”
