What can you say about Blowfly? Well, lots!

Picture a 65yr old man in a glittering low-budget superhero costume bearing a bright BF on his chest. Oh, and 3 inch fingernails!
He's been cited as the first rapper ever; his first single--"Rap Dirty"-- dates back to 1965. It was then re-recorded on T.K records after the success of "Rappers Delight."

Blowfly is the original Rapper and undeniable influence for Kool Keith, Kurtis Blow and Snoop Dogg. I remember back in the day seeing a Nardwuar interview with Snoop Dogg where he presented Snoop with an old Blowfly record from his collection which Snoop then proceeded to take off Nardwuar's hands.
" I'll just take this off of you, how much you want for it ?"
" Well Snoop, thats actually MY record I just wanted to show it to you."
" Well thanks, I'll just borrow it for abit"
" Snoop, um your stealing it from me...."
Nardwuar never did get that album back.

But Blowfly does not consider himself the first rapper ever, he'd rather be known as one of the original Soul Talking Radio DJs of the early 50's and 60's. Born 60 yrs ago, Clarence Reid was always a dirty minded music lover. He got his stage name from his Grandmother when she overheard him singing "Do the Twist" with his own set of lyrics: "Suck my Dick." You can just picture young Blowfly in action " C'mon baaaaby, and suck my dick." She apparently scolded him with "Boy, you is nastier than a Blowfly ! " and thus the persona was born. But Blowfly isn't always as dirty as you'd think. He actually has quite a resume of CLEAN songs in his repertoire as well. His first career, after all, was songwriting--he's even written songs for K.C and the Sunshine Band. His career as Blowfly really began when he would record dirty parodys of his favourite songs and perform them at partys for his friends.

He recorded a small album called Porno Freak which is known as the first Rap album in history ever and first to be banned from a music store. It was banned in Alabama and then he was sued by ASCAP president Stanley Adams for his parody of "What a Difference a Day Makes" titled "What a Difference a Lay Makes". Incidentally, the song was originally written BY Stanley Adams. Finally, In 1971 under the name Blowfly (to protect his career as a songwriter) he recorded his first album with a group of studio musicians. The album was titled Weird World of Blowfly and was released under his own independent label, Weird World. The album was apparently very popular in the South during the 70's as a "party record" Since then Blowfly has released over 40 albums in his career featuring original songs and parodies.

Fastforward like, 33 years.

After an interview in 2003, Blowfly was asked by Miami-based journalist/drummer Tom Bowker why he hadn't played a Miami area gig in 20 years, he replied "I don't have a band down here." To which Bowker replied "Want one?"
Thus Blowflys new band was born.
In 2004 they recorded a brand new album entitled Farenheit 69, it was picked up by long-time fan Jello Biafra, signed to his label Alternative Tentacles and featured his first collection of original material since 1988's Blowfly for President. Honestly, the album kicks ass. Its got a really funky soul sound to it with explicit dirty Blowfly lyrics, his style remains untarnished by the new band, better even. Likely because its a whole lot of fun to play funky music over an old dirty mans lyrics. Who would change that ?! The most recent album released in July is entitled Blowflys Punk Rock Party and is his second album for Alternative Tentacles. It is a collection of Punk Rock covers with a special Blowfly twist, dirty lyrics. It included a Dead Kennedys cover (obviously) of "Christmas in Cambodia" entitled "R.Kelly in Cambodia". You wanna hear it already don't ya ?

Blowfly has been touring coast to coast, since recording Farenheit 69. He's been to Vancouver twice, one for a small show at pub 340 and another time for a larger crowd at the Lamplighter. I managed to be smart enough to go to that show, and after consuming a 40 of Colt 45 I went in and danced our asses off all night with some hip folks like Nardwuar ! So now that I've got all that background info out to ya' I can finally give you my opinion on him. GO SEE BLOWFLY! That's really what I'm getting at. He's a living legend and he's fucking hilarious, an awesome sight to behold. If you wait around to get an autograph, a girl will likely get his phone number someplace naughty. If you're a guy, he'll likely sign "to my friend, Blowfly" But all in all, he's the man to meet and I DARE you to shake his hand with its dirty 3 inch fingernails, double dare you.

<p>Larry Eggins, 12 Sept 2006<br /> <br /> Blowfly is performing this Wednesday the 13th at Richard's on Richards with Guitarist Bob Log.<br /> Tickets at Scratch and such for only 17bucks.<br /> All images taken from Blowfly's <a href="http://www.blowflymusic.com"> website </a></p>