Blue Scholars: New Music, New Business Models

I’ve been a fan of Seattle hip-hop duo, Blue Scholars, for awhile now, and what continually impresses me about them is not only the music they create and the shows that they rock, but also the innovative, progressive business models they continue to create in a rapidly changing (and very corporate controlled, often exploitative) music industry.

Recently, they formed an interesting collaborative business relationship with Duck Down Records and independent Seattle coffee company, Caffe Vita, effectively turning the traditional corporate record deal on its head. The economic and financial details of the arrangement are explained a little better here.

Now, a deal with an independent record company like Duck Down makes sense…but a coffee company too? It’s all part of what rapper Geologic calls “A changing marketplace ready for new self-sustaining business models” and partnering with “Financial backers who share the same vision of creative and economic independence.”

Here’s an excerpt from their press release:

Realities what they are, we–a hip-hop group from the slept-on capital, Seattle–couldn’t let the opportunity to work with Duck Down Records and Caffe Vita pass by. They’ve both retained their independence and thrived on it in a marketplace filled with big business trying to stomp em out. I think they heard us and our audacious plan out because, in essence, they share the same philosophy towards their ventures that we do with our music.

I don’t even like the how word “independent” is used these days but I still f***s with the idea behind the word, which remains relevant from now until the marketplace gets its past-due clean slate. Until then, our best look as independent musicians is to not just support each other, but to support independent entities–whether it be the local mom’s and pop’s store or a family-owned restaurant to independent films and media to grassroots organizations and your kids’ martial arts classes.

The Scholars are a progressive group in all aspects, from their politics to the content of their art. Clearly, this also translates to the way they conduct their business, and provides another model when thinking creatively about how to retain progressive principles in the marketplace.

“HI-808″ Video from their new EP, OOF!