In the early 80s Hip-Hop was still very much a culture in its infancy. Having been born in the Bronx, New York some years earlier, this soon-to-become global phenomenon was still slowly but surely spreading its way across America and beyond like an unstoppable virus. In South London, England sat a curious youngster who was more than happy to be infected by the beats, rhymes, dance styles and fashions of this new cultural movement.
Initially lured into the Hip-Hop world by the seemingly impossible dance moves of legends such as the West Coasts Poppin Pete, Fabian Stephenson made his name locally as a body-popper, moon-walking and gliding his way across sheets of linoleum to the sound of electro classics such as Cybotrons Clear. However, it was after witnessing the Cookie Crew win a London rap competition hosted by Tim Westwood that Fabians journey as a poet and emcee would ultimately begin. Serving his lyrical apprenticeship in the mid-80s as part of South Londons Global Rhythm sound system (which also counted drum & bass legend Grooverider amongst its ranks), Fabian began to acquaint himself with the microphone, encouraged to develop his own individual style by the music of UK icons such as London Posse, Demon Boyz and Hijack.
In 1988, with the British Hip-Hop movement gaining momentum, Fabian would make his vinyl debut as part of the SL Troopers under the name of Sweet Pea, dropping the Unarmed Yet Dangerous 12 on Global Rhythm. The following year would see SL Troopers release a follow-up single on the esteemed Music Of Life imprint, Movement b/w There It Is. Although both efforts received a warm reception from the UK rap audience (with SL Troopers receiving favourable press in the then newly established publication Hip-Hop Connection), Fabian decided to take a break from making music, choosing instead to focus on his college drama studies. But this career diversion wouldnt keep him from the pen and pad for long.
The beginning of the 90s signalled the opening of a new decade-long chapter in Fabians sonic story that involved hardwork, opportunity and a willingness to experiment. In 1992 he recorded with the Quiet Boyz on their Acid Jazz-released album Cant Hold The Vibe and in 1995 he teamed-up with rare groove DJ / producer Chris Bangs for the Mr Electric Triangle project, Kosmosis Of The Heart. Both of these collaborations displayed Fabians ability to work within a variety of musical fields that spanned Hip-Hop, jazz and soul, a trait that would become a trademark of this open-minded wordsmith in subsequent years.
1996 found Fabian working with cult production duo The Herbaliser on their debut Ninja Tune album Remedies, appearing on the track Wrong Place. This newly-established musical alliance would also see the rapper contribute to the Herbalisers Flawed Hip-Hop EP later that same year, along with further appearances on the pairs critically-acclaimed 1997 sophomore set, Blow Your Headphones. At the same time Fabian also secured a guest spot on an R&B album by a female artist named Eddy. The project, entitled Delighted, was co-written and produced by Leee John of 80s soul group Imagination and released in Japan to much success.
It was at this point in his career that Fabian reached something of a creative crossroads. The result of which was the birth of his recording alter-ego, Travis Blaque, an artist who views the world through cynical eyes while struggling to balance the duality of human consciousness. Blaque represents the yin and yang of life. The constant battle between good and evil that constantly wages within us, no matter how well-balanced or good-natured we may consider ourselves to be. The first appearance of this darker lyrical persona would be on the Ollie Teeba-produced single Dead Weight, a heavy slice of Hip-Hop that found Travis unleashing his understated lyrical fury on the competition with unique results. This would soon be followed by another irony-fuelled cut, The Bachelors, which came with a remix by Stateside production sensation RJD2 (who recently received critical acclaim as one-half of Soul Position). Since then Travis has also toured across Europe with underground West Coast favourites Ugly Duckling, stopping off for a successful 2004 performance at Londons Jazz Café before gigging throughout 2005 to promote his recent single, Home.
On his most recent work, the highly-anticipated long-player The Many Facets Of
Travis Blaque has teamed-up with such prestigious musical peers as producer Keith Lawrence, UK emcee Apollo and soul supremo Noel McKoy. The result of which is an unpredictable blend of sounds and styles that refuses to bow down to preconceptions or rap-related stereotypes. Yes Travis Blaque is Hip-Hop, but this is Hip-Hop music in the true sense of the term, showcasing an artist who is determined to remain himself in todays fickle celebrity-obsessed world whilst simultaneously entertaining and educating his listeners. From the sleazy sexploitation tales of In Pursuit Of The Flesh to the analysis of race relations on Raymondcist, the content of The Many Facets Of is always challenging and thought-provoking.
Without a doubt, Travis Blaque is an individual who always has something to say. Isnt it time you started paying attention?
