Note: The timeline includes some (but not all) of his creative contributions devoted to promoting social consciousness and cultural awareness.
Baye finds a passion for writing
Strawberry Letter Performance
Baye's first studio recording experience.
Baye gets two turntables and 'borrows' albums
Baye (seen lower left) forms the rap group Hueman Prophets with several classmates and takes on the stage name “Philosophy.” Two of the other members are pictured here: Sadiq Ali, upper right and Mustafa “DC Soul Child” Johnson, upper left.
Baye and the original Hueman Prophets members (Omaro Farquharson, Sadiq Ali, Mustafa Johnson) record their first song in a professional studio. The song “Place, Things” was produced and recorded on the budget of $100 (each member chipping in $25).
Baye reconnects with friend Jabari Exum and joins the Freestyle Union, a collective of emcees developing lyricism and the skill of freestyling under the leadership of Toni Blackman. The Freestyle Union is anchored by the larger community of artists that frequent the U Street corridor of NW DC.
Baye recorded at Urban Intalek studio with the newest incarnation of Hueman Prophets which included himself, Jabari Exum, and AmadouKouyate (engineer: Bill "D Salaam" Vaughn). This song which was written and produced by the new collaboration is entitled "Nomadic Medicine." Support vocals are provided by freestyle union member DJ Stylus whom happened to be in the studio.
Baye, form a new incarnation of Hueman Prophets with other members, seen here performing their first show at the landmark State of the Union Nightclub in 1998. Although they were underaged, the group was given the opportunity to open for fellow Freestyle Union members and mentors, Priest Da Nomad and Storm the Unpredictable. The featured song is an early version of the song “Last Griot.” Other group members include: Jabari Exum (vocals), Amadou Kouyate (kora), and Hasani Nophlin (off camera).
Baye begins to cut his teeth as a DJ on the Divine Warfare tour under mentor Chike the Aboriginal. The tour would go to Columbia University during winter of that year.
