News releases
Read the latest Sound Transit news, expansion developments, and more here.

Blue Scholars are Zoomin’ through the Sound with Sound Transit

Publish Date
Body

Local hip-hop group writes and stars in music video about train safety

"These trains move fast, so don't play around" is advice offered by the Blue Scholars in a music video titled "Zoomin' through the Sound," just released by Sound Transit.

The popular Seattle hip-hop group partnered with Sound Transit to deliver train track safety messages in an unexpected and authentic way. The Blue Scholars are well known for their love of Seattle and interest in supporting community issues.

The video features MC Geologic (Geo), vocalist for the Blue Scholars, catching Sound Transit's new Sounder service in Lakewood and riding the train to Tacoma and on to Seattle.

Geo raps about wearing headphones around train tracks ("nah, take 'em off so I can hear the train comin'"), scolds a friend who sends him a text ("you playin' near the tracks, you playin' with your life"), and speaks his mind about being smart around train tracks ("don't be a dummy, and use your head").

"People don't realize how quiet the Sounder train is, and how fast it travels," said Carol Doering, community outreach specialist for Sound Transit. "We want everyone who lives and works in the Lakewood area, where our new service just started, to pay attention and obey all the signs and signals around train tracks. We're very excited to have a group as popular as the Blue Scholars helping us deliver these messages."

Geo and the second half of the duo, DJ Sabzi, wrote original lyrics and music for Zoomin' through the Sound. The video was shot in the Puget Sound area by Seedwell, a digital creative studio based in San Francisco whose founders all hail from Seattle.

Iconic backdrops include Mt. Rainier, the Tacoma Dome and downtown Seattle. Sound Transit enlisted the Blue Scholars involvement because of both their artistic talent and their commitment to important social issues. The Blue Scholars have performed across the country, opening for and sharing a stage with the likes of Kanye West, Slick Rick and De La Soul.

The video is part of a larger campaign called "Be Smart. Be Safe." launched by Sound Transit in connection with new Sounder commuter train service from Lakewood to Tacoma.

"There are a lot of misperceptions about trains, and we want people to recognize the power of a fast moving train and not put themselves at risk," said Doering. "This video helps raise awareness of the great need to behave safely around train tracks."

Zoomin' through the Sound can be seen on YouTube , and the song alone is available for download. More information about Sound Transit is at www.soundtransit.org, and about the Blue Scholars at www.bluescholars.com.