by: Bryant “B-Boy” Worthing @bboyworthing | Artist: Byrdie
The saying the good die young is quite an understatement for Seattle based emcee Jesse “Byrdie” Watson. After a seven year battle with cancer/GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor), heaven received a dope rapper while his fans and loved ones lost one of their favorites. Since his passing a year and half ago, D-Sane, producer/CEO of Street Level Records, has been working on a final posthumous project for Byrdie and has just released it at www.gofundme.com/byrdie. The album is available for free download via the GoFundMe page, but they are asking for donations for the music to go towards making a music video for the tribute song and title track of the album, “Byrd’s Eye View.” D-Sane discovered Byrdie in 1997 and went on to recruit him into the seminal rap group, Full Time Soldiers (F.T.S.). Byrdie’s 2001 critically acclaimed and groundbreaking solo debut “Poetic Epidemic” ushered in a new era for Seattle Hip-Hop and spawned the hit record “Player’s Policy Pt. 2”, which is one of the only local records to ever go into rotation on KUBE 93. Byrdie’s success continued with the 2004 album “N-Flight”.
“It has been a while since Byrd put out an album, I am really trying to keep his legacy going,” D-Sane explained. “Our goal is to raise money for the tribute video. None of the funds will end up in anybody’s pockets; it’s going toward a good cause either way.”
The goal is set for $3,000+ and already donations are almost halfway there, but support is welcomed not just for a dope record, but for a good person and cause. Any of the left over proceeds will go directly to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance on behalf of the Watson family and Street Level Records. The lead single, “Cool Wit It feat Roc Phizzle”, is a laid back, summertime joint that is already getting spins on local radio, generating buzz and offering remembrance to a life cut way too short at 35 years old. The album contains 19 tracks, mostly produced by D-Sane along with fellow producers, Bean One, Funk Daddy & more. The album also contains guest appearances from numerous Seattle notables who pay tribute to their fallen comrade.
