California Love

by John Anderson

Bavu Blakes may be heading to California in a few weeks, but the situation’s more a “See ya later” than a goodbye.

“We’re planning on coming back in a year or two,” Blakes says when asked about the terms of he and his wife Tifani’s departure. “We’re not selling our house or anything. I’m actually still trying to find somebody to rent it out while we’re gone.”

Though the move has nothing directly to do with his musical career – Tifani is entering into the research and dissertation stage of her PhD candidacy and a move to a larger city like Los Angeles would be beneficial to her education – one can’t help but notice the low profile Bavu has kept over the past few years. “You could probably count on two hands the amount of times I’ve performed in the last two years,” he admits.

“It’s been tough without D-Madness here,” he adds, referring to his longtime hip-hop collaborator, who moved to D.C. at the beginning of the summer. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m very disoriented. I don’t think I’ve played out more than once since he’s left.”

There’s still a puncher’s chance Austin will be able to hear Bavu Blakes after he splits. Chances hinge on the continuation of Bavu’s Review, currently airing on 88.7 KAZI every Wednesday from 3-5pm. He plans to continue as long as he can “master the technology” to handle responsibilities on location.

Don’t rule out another performance of that soulful hip-hop Blakes so rightfully instilled into the town’s hip-hop community, either.

“If I’m playing, I’ll be here, for sure," he says. "Musically, [Austin] has treated me very well. I’ve done everything locally that I could have asked for: ACL, SXSW, the Urban Music Festival. I’m sure there are other opportunities out there, but this town will always be home.”

Check him out Sunday, Nov. 8, at Aces Lounge.