Fast Forward
Meet Fly4Wird aka Babah Fly, DJ Fast4Ward & Mike Wird, our featured Denver group for The Solution Showcase #14 on 4/24 at Beauty Bar Denver…
While you might not be familiar with the group Fly4Wird (set to perform at The Solution Showcase #14), if you’ve been in the front range over the last few years (or decade really), you should already have heard of Babah Fly, Fast4Ward & Mike Wird aka the three members of the group. MC/producer Babah Fly linked with MC/B-boy Mike Wird a few years back for their BabahWird project and more recently brought genius DJ/producer/one man band DJ Fast4Ward into the fold. Since then, the three of them have been make left of center tracks that have gotten lots of attention here in Denver and beyond. Take a quick look at their latest videos and learn more about all three members of Fly4Wird below.
Mike Wird (from his bio)
Mike Wird is the artist’s artist. A Hiphop Renaissance Man, he is well versed in all creative expressions/elements of the globally recognized Universal Hiphop Kulture, as a producer/emcee, in 2001 the independent underground release of Universal Devices was of his first contributions to a Hiphop musical work of art w/ Denver based crew, Bugaboo a staple conglomerate rockin shows in the local scenes and buzzing overseas in Europe(Amsterdam) through out the 90’s and early 2000’s.
Since, Mr.Wird has partnered with several talented, culturally minded artist with works credited to BabahFlyJedi’s 2009 release Electro Sufi, a contributing member of Denver based internationally recognized Moetavation Crew and a Mixtape/cd hosted by DJSD called Wird is Bond, with planned 2010 releases including the compilation series Mike Wird presents Afronaut Funk (vol.1), and his first full length solo work to be released soon! It’s only the beginning……..
Fast4Ward (from his profile as featured producer for The Solution Showcase #9 last year)
Denver meet Fast Forward. The elusive producer/DJ has been making a name for himself in some of the most notable Denver circles for years, but still somehow remains one of Denver’s best kept secrets. Ask 2011 World DMC Champion DJ Vajra about Fast Forward and he’ll rave about his skills, as the two have collabed on numerous projects over the years. Take a look at the clip below to see some of what these two musical geniuses do when they get together.
Fast Forward is way more than a DJ Vajra bandmate though, in fact, he’s a one man band onto himself, playing drums, keys, singing, scratching and more in his live performances. You can also catch Fast Forward and DJ Check One’s collaborative project, Fun Addicts, here. A man of few words, catch more live video from Fast Forward on his youtube channel and you’ll be sold on dude’s diverse talents, just like me, Vajra and countless other heads in Denver.
Babah Fly (from his bio)
As a child Babah Fly’s soul was searching for “the music.†His great-grandfather sang opera in Sicily, his grandfather performed in jazz clubs in New York, and his mother played piano for the church. Music was in his blood.
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Babah Fly grew up listening to music, searching through his mom and dad’s old school soul, funk, folk and jazz records. At eight years-old a particular song on the radio mesmerized him. A sort of trance took over the young Babah Fly as he uttered the words, “that’s the music!†That song was “Planet Rock†by Africa Bambatta. It was the gateway into hip-hop for Babah Fly as he became a skilled B-boy(break-dancer), DJ and MC. Growing up in Little Rock, Babah was surrounded by gangs, poverty, and violence. The golden age of Hip-hop kept Babah Fly moving in a positive direction.
Besides the musical influences of artist like Rakim, Krs-One, Run DMC and the Native Tongues, Babah was heavily influenced by the teachings of the Zulu Nation, Islam, and eastern martial arts. Babah moved from Little Rock to stay with his brother in Boulder, Colorado to go to school and work on music.
Babah Fly brought his beat machine to Boulder and continued to make beats and rhymes in his brother’s apartment. One night his brother got beaten up so severely that he was in a coma for a month. Babah had full confidence in his brother’s recovery, his faith was strong and his music was the source of strength. This was a sign to Babah that his music needed to spread. Babah met and performed with RaahFounashunn, Quibian Salazaar-Moreno, Jher, RTDK and Future Reference, staples in Denver‘s Hip Hop community. Babah began performing his music at places like The Mercury Cafe and Revoluciones, where hip-hop culture was thriving in Denver.
In 1998 Babah Fly moved to Denver, Colorado and began college at Metro-State and UCD. He played jazz music under the direction of trumpeter Ron Miles at Metro and studied Music Engineering and Production at UCD. Babah Fly met another hip-hop producer named Kwasi Connors, son of jazz legend Norman Connors, and formed a group/movement called Bugaboo. The two released the album “Parallel to the Universe†that recognition in the Amsterdam hip-hop scene, winning a contest title as “The Best Album to Smoke Weed to.â€
Kwasi moved to Los Angeles and Babah got a job as a DJ at a local graffiti supply store called Art-n-Sol, where he held weekly MC ciphers. He met Mike Wird, Malik, Daymeon and produced another album called “Universal Devices.†The Bugaboo crew had expanded to four MCs and DJ SD. Their high energy performances served as an opening act for established hip-hop acts like Black Sheep, Saul Williams, AceyAlone, Abstract Rude and Sage Francis.After the Bugaboo crew went their separate ways, Babah Fly hooked up with Url Gray-V and DJ Selector Sam, and they formed a group called “Tha Fly.†They released a mix tape and smashed shows around the Midwest region, opening up for Krs One, Slick Rick, Souls of Mischief, Kool Keith, Zion I, and Crown City Rockers.
Recently, Babah Fly has re-connected with his brother from another mother Mike Wird. These MCs have performed under the name BabahWird for the past three years, toured the West Coast together, and rocked massive crowds at The Dragon Boat Festival. They are also a part of “The Denver Avengerz,†a band with drummer Brad Lee Stevens, Bassist Lavell Flamon and multi-talented DJ Fast4ward.
With all of these projects underway, he still found time to form “The High-Tops†with Panama Soweto. They are a retro-fresh mix of true school Hip Hop and spoken word.
Along with working on a BabahWird album, a Denver Avengerz album, and The High Tops, Babah Fly has now finished his solo album called “Electro SUFI.†The name Electro-Sufi represents Babah Fly’s take on hip-hop being a timeless culture that has existed since the ancient times of Kemet. Sufism descended from the ancient kemetic sciences. The culture of the Sufi’s is relative to the culture of Africa Bambatta’s Zulu Nation “Planet Rock†hip-hop. From the desire to levitate in the dance; b-boy spins to whirling dervishes, to the desire to enlighten through song and poetry; Rumi to Rakim, Hafiz to Q-tip, the album Electro-Sufi is now available on iTunes.
Catch Fly4Wird rocking with legendary DJ RHETTMATIC of the World Famous Beat Junkies, 2013 Solution Beat Battle winner Spyda T.E.K., Solution co-founders DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme and Welcome to the D.O.P.E. Game’s DJ Dozen for The Solution Showcase #14 on Wednesday 4/24 at Beauty Bar Denver (608 E. 13th St). Check out more info on the showcase here.
Wednesday, 2/27 -> The 2013 Solution Beat Battle w/special guests Exile & Johaz aka Dag Savage, 2012 winner BK Beats, co-host Boonie Mayfield, one man band DJ Fast Forward, DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme & more at Beauty Bar Denver…
WEDNESDAY, 2/27 -> It’s that time of year again. #TheSolution6 is in full effect and The Solution Beat Battle is back for another year of ridiculous chops, club bangers, head nodders, face scrunchers, and all the other great varieties of beats you hear producers pull out for battles. Just like last year, a dozen of Denver’s top producers will face off head to head to see who has the best beats in town for prize package including studio time at Denver’s premier record facility, Side 3 Studios, a $200 gear package, a paid guest feature at an upcoming Solution Showcase & more TBA. As if hearing a dozen of Colorado’s top producers show off their A-game wasn’t enough, we’ve also packed out the bill with some amazing talent, check out the battle’s guest lineup:
Dag Savage (aka MPC mastermind Exile & MC Johaz)
2012 Beat Battle winner BK Beats (read his recap of it here)
Incredible one man band/DJ/singer/etc Fast Forward
CO production legend Boonie Mayfield on co-hosting duties
DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme on the turntables & more
Beauty Bar Denver (608 E. 13th St) / 9pm / 21+ / $10 Cover / Only $5 if you buy a pre-sale ticket at The Solution Showcase #13 on 2/22 or the Sound College x The Solution J Dilla Celebration on 2/24.
Producers, beatmakers, musicians & such, if you’d like to enter, here’s what you need to do by midnight on Sunday, 2/24. Please send either:
-A soundcloud link to 3+ of your beats
or
-An e-mail with 3 beats attached
or
-A streaming link to a project you produced
and
-a photo of yourself (to be posted when the competitors are announced)
and
-a short bio
to:
thesolutionbeatbattle <at> denversolution (dot) com
No application fee necessary. Once again, the submission deadline is Sunday, 2/24 at midnight. Participants will be announced on Monday, 2/25. Last but not least, here’s a little audio from last time Exile visited The Solution (along with DJ Day and surprise guests Tanya Morgan & Che Grand):
Meet Fast Forward, our featured Denver producer for The Solution Showcase #9 on Saturday, 9/22 at the Meadowlark…
Denver meet Fast Forward. The elusive producer/DJ has been making a name for himself in some of the most notable Denver circles for years, but still somehow remains one of Denver’s best kept secrets. Ask 2011 World DMC Champion DJ Vajra about Fast Forward and he’ll rave about his skills, as the two have collabed on numerous projects over the years. Take a look at the clip below to see some of what these two musical geniuses do when they get together.
Fast Forward & DJ Vajra are Dirty Southpause “Time 4 Tacos”
Fast Forward is way more than a DJ Vajra bandmate though, in fact, he’s a one man band onto himself, playing drums, keys, singing, scratching and more in his live performances. You can also catch Fast Forward and DJ Check One’s collaborative project, Fun Addicts, here. A man of few words, catch more live video from Fast Forward on his youtube channel and you’ll be sold on dude’s diverse talents, just like me, Vajra and countless other heads in Denver.
Above: “Slow Tetris” /// Below: “Punch Box”
Now that you’re a little more familiar with the man, the myth, Fast Forward, catch him at The Solution Showcase #9 with LA’s Ro Blvd, Thurz & Free Speech, Prime Element, DJ Low Key & more on Saturday, 9/22 at 7PM at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St). We know there are a lot of other events going on the same night, so we’re starting early at 7PM sharp on the patio stage (for the first time ever!) and giving anyone who shows their ticket/ticket stub from another 9/22 event $3 off cover (only $5 for this crazy lineup instead of $8) to help you maximize the last official day of Summer. 21+ /// $5 Pre-sales now available at all three Family Affair locations & get you 15% off your entire purchase /// $8 at the door /// Doors at 7pm.
Saturday, 9/22 at 7PM -> The Solution Showcase #9 w/Ro Blvd (LA) feat. Thurzday & Free Speech, Prime Element, Fast Forward, DJ Low Key & more at the Meadowlark…
SATURDAY, 9/22 at 7PM -> After getting things back on track with another packed Solution Showcase last month, we’re back for The Solution Showcase #9 with wunderkind producer Ro Blvd (LA), Thurzday (LA/formerly of U-N-I) & Free Speech (The Bay/BrekFast Club), CO hip hop icons Prime Element, elusive DJ/producer Fast Forward, DJ Low Key & more at the Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St). You might remember Ro Blvd and Thurzday as 2/3 of the hosts from The Solution Tape #1 (back before U-N-I split up). They’ll be joining Free Speech (of Laffy Taffy Rots Your Teeth/BrekFast Club fame) as our featured out of town acts for the night. We’ll also be featuring A.V.I.U.S., Es Nine & Cysko Rokwel aka Prime Element as our Denver artists and acclaimed musician/producer/DJ Fast Forward as our featured CO producer.
Also, we know there are a lot of other events going on the same night, so we’re starting early and giving anyone who shows their ticket/ticket stub from another 9/22 event $3 off cover (only $5 for this crazy lineup instead of $8) to help you maximize the last official day of Summer. And don’t worry if you’re not familiar with someone on the bill, a big part of The Solution Showcase is about discovering dope new music and we’ll be linking up music, videos and more info on all the artists as we get closer to the party. So stay tuned to DenverSolution.com to learn more about the performers and hopefully we’ll see you on 9/22! 21+ /// $5 Pre-sales now available at all three Family Affair locations & get you 15% off your entire purchase /// $8 at the door /// Doors at 7pm.
UPDATE #1: Since 9/22 marks the official end of Summer on the calendar and we’re starting early anyway, we’re going to do something fun and new and have the first half of the party on the patio’s outdoor stage (including some of our featured performances). We that said, we’re going to kick things off right at 7PM. This isn’t the month to come out fashionably late, but it should be worth beating the clock to get a bonus night in on the patio.
Recent Posts
- Saturday, 8/27 at 8pm -> The Solution x Stay Up Saturdays w/ DJ Low Key, DJ Lazy Eyez, CRL CRRLL, Slot-A & El Rizzy at Fort Greene!
- Friday, 2/4 & Saturday, 2/5 -> The Solution w/ DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez celebrates 15 years of community, music, parties & love with 15 special guests on Twitch!
- Catch The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez every Friday night on Twitch!!! Download the app or stream with a browser to bring the party to your house every week from 8pm-11pm MST…
- Saturday, 2/29 at 11am -> The Solution’s 14th Annual J Dilla Celebration w/DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & DJ K-Nee!!! We’re teaming up with So What! The Brunch to celebrate all things Jay Dee at The Preservery – RSVPs highly recommended…
- Friday, 2/28 -> The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez 13th Anniversary at the legendary Roller City!!! Tickets include open bar, skate rental & more!
Categories
DJLowKey.com
- Sunday, 3/8 at 3pm -> Spring Training Goodness w/DJ Low Key and special guests DJ Love & DJ Simone Says on Vinyl’s rooftop! Live art by Sky Welkin, complimentary buttons, temporary tattoos and stickers, photos by IG: @Armando_Geneyro & more!!! March 8, 2020
- Sunday, 3/8 in Denver & 3/29 in Houston -> Goodness w/DJ Low Key & Friends Season 9 Spring Training! Aguas frescas, top notch DJs, live art & more surprises to get ready for #GDNSS Season 9… March 7, 2020
- Saturday, 2/29 at 11am -> The Solution’s 14th Annual J Dilla Celebration w/DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & DJ K-Nee!!! We’re teaming up with So What! The Brunch to celebrate all things Jay Dee at The Preservery – RSVPs highly recommended… February 27, 2020
- Friday, 2/28 -> The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez 13th Anniversary at the legendary Roller City!!! Tickets include open bar, skate rental & more! February 23, 2020
- Sunday, 12/29 at 11am -> So What! The Brunch at The Preservery w/DJ K-Nee & DJ Low Key!!! Bottomless mimosas, craft cocktails, new brunch menu & more! RSVPs highly recommended… December 27, 2019
Blogroll
- 2DopeBoyz
- 38th Square
- Akomplice
- Basementalism
- Bionik Brown (RIP)
- Che Grand
- Denver Diggers
- Denver Frank
- DJ Amen
- DJ Chonz
- DJ Dozen
- DJ Lazy Eyez
- DJ Low Key (facebook)
- DJ Petey
- DJ Sounds Supreme (edits & remixes)
- DJ Sounds Supreme (facebook)
- DJ Squirt
- DJ Vajra
- Donwill
- Dunn the Signtologist
- Emage
- Family Affair
- Food Chain
- Fool's Gold Records
- Frank151
- illroots
- LARD
- Popular Lemonade
- Radio Bums
- Rappers I Know
- Red Bull Music Academy
- Ro Blvd
- Speakeasy
- Speakeasy Blog
- Stones Throw
- Strictly Fitteds
- Tanya Morgan
- The 400 (RIP)
- The Gro Project
- TiRon
- U-N-I
- Von Pea
- Whygee