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Blue Scholars – Summertime in the SEA

Dove Shack’s “Summertime in the LBC” (1995, prod. Warren G) is anthemic seasonal perfection. If it hasn’t found its way onto your summer playlist, then you’re losing and you don’t even know it. Bumping that track has become a yearly tradition for us rap-loving Northwestcoasters who only see glimpses of So-Cal like weather for just a few weeks out of the year. For me, its become synonymous with backyard BBQs, rolling to Alki, and mobbing deep to festivals like Bon Odori and Pista Sa Nayon.

Ah, yes, Pista. The one day out of the year besides a Journey concert where you can see ten thousand Filipinos in the town at once. Where we learned the art of ducking aunties and uncles to burn trees in the darkest parts of Seward Park. Where I learned to never go after Khingz in a freestyle cipher. The kind of summer days that almost make the other seasons worth it.

Last year, I attempted to do a mixtape/freeverse type song using the “Summertime in the LBC” instrumental. Miserable fail. Soon as I turned the mic on, I’d hear the original vocals over and over in my head. So I just started singing that instead, changing some of the lyrics along the way. Then I sent it to a few friends and forgot all about it. A year passed, and The Sun started making cameos again in our gray little city, along with requests to put out a mixed-down version of the song.

So here it is. Our tribute to summer in Seattle, and an homage to what I believe to be the finest summertime song of my generation. From my birthplace (LBC) to my nowplace (Seattle), to anywhere people of the sun gather to celebrate its presence.

Download: Blue Scholars – Summertime in the SEA (mp3, 5.6MB)

photo by aileron