• with American Beauty Tour and Greenlander
• EMU Amphitheater | University of Oregon
• September 27, 2009
• 7pm

Free Fall Kick-Off Concert sponsored by US Bank

The dynamic duo from Portland, OR (a.k.a. Razorblade City) who go by the name of LIFESAVAS - emcee/ producer JUMBO the Garbageman and emcee VURSATYL - couldn’t be any more separate in terms of vocal style, point of view and even appearance, yet what they bring as a collective is timeless. Early on, the two pursued parallel hip-hop careers but promised to eventually work together. When JUMBO’s best friend, one of the emcees that VURS worked with, was murdered in a gang-related shooting, they had the impetus they needed to finally make it happen; they collaborated on a track inspired by the incident called “Stop the Madness,” and this ultimately led to the formation of LIFESAVAS. The pair’s initial recorded work ended up on cassettes at local record stores where Chief Xcel discovered the group.

At the core of LIFESAVAS’ artistry is their passionate commitment to preserving the culture by focusing on lyrical integrity and signature beats. LIFESAVAS’ vibe is immersed in soul and futuristic funk, with dazzling tag-team rhymes and impeccable production. With each song they recall defining moments in hip-hop history, while also offering a progressive view of hip-hop’s future. LIFESAVAS’ sophomore album Gutterfly is the embodiment of their passion. The duo’s songwriting skills are showcased in the arrangements of a collection of daring concepts and subject matter.