BluRum13

James Sobers
American Emcee BluRum13 photographed at "The Mothership" in Barcelona
Background information
Also known as	Blurum13, Blu Rum 13, BluRum 13, Killah Platypus
Born	New York, New York, United States
Origin	Washington D.C. United States
Genres	New school hip hop Underground hip hop Funk Jazz Electronic
Occupation(s)	Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1990-present
Labels	BBE, Ninja Tune, Jazz Fudge, Beatgeeks
Associated acts	Bullfrog, Russian Percussion, One Self, DJ Vadim, Luke Vibert, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Reverse Engineering, True Ingredients, Water Power, Frameworks, Abstract Rude, Indigenous Invaders, BluConnspiracy
Website	www.blurum13.com

James Sobers, a.k.a. BluRum13 (alternate spellings include Blu Rum 13, BluRum 13, and Blurum 13) is an American rapper (MC/emcee) and producer under the pseudonym Killa Platypus. Originally from New York City, he spent most of his formative years in Washington D.C.

BluRum13’s first album The Previouslee Unreleased Recordings of BluRum13 (not on a label) was the catalyst for subsequent collaborations with London-based DJ Vadim, who included the song It’s Obvious on his 2002 release U.S.S.R. Life From the Other Side (Ninjatune, 1990). BluRum toured as the live emcee for Vadim’s group The Russian Percussion (also featuring beatboxer Killa Kela, DJ Mr Thing and DJ Woody), which was created to promote the album. BluRum’s second album Vaguely Familiar was released on DJ Vadim’s label Jazz Fudge, along with singles Sleep Speechless and Figure it Out. Vadim and BluRum went on to form the hip hop group One Self in 2005 with MC Yarah Bravo, releasing the album Children of Possibility, also released on Ninja Tune.

BluRum self-released the 2007 EP Tether with UK beat boxer Koobs. After multiple collaborations with various artists, collectives and bands, he released an online full-length album entitled Inverted in 2013. In 2017, BluRum released Rainbows, Butterflies & Gangstas produced by Australian DJ/Producer and BBE label mate Inkswel (Beatgeeks Records).

BluRum13 is well known for his work with various bands, producers and collectives in North America, Europe, and Australia. He was part of Montreal-based funk band Bullfrog (featuring Kid Koala) from 1994 to 2004 (Atlantic/Rope-a-Dope Records), a member of London-based collective True Ingredients and Maryland-based collective Water Power. BluRum has also collaborated with a number of producers including Luke Vibert (who produced a self-released full-length album entitled Smell the Urgency in 2004) and been a featured emcee and live front-man for a number of other groups, including US3, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Reverse Engineering,Resin Dogs,Aquasky, and many more.