Bruce Yi

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Bruce Yi is an emerging hip hop producer in Los Angeles, CA. His unique beats combine his understanding and respect for hip hop culture with his classical music training.

His first big break came from Etan Thomas' album, "More than an Athlete" on the track "Wasted Talent" released in 2005. This track gained exposure on 95.5 FM WPGC-FM in Washington DC and led to Yi's move to Los Angeles where he teamed up with independent rap artist Johnny Polygon from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Johnny Polygon and Bruce Yi have performed at numerous Los Angeles venues, including The Knitting Factory, The Canyon Club, and the Velvet Jones. They have played alongside respected acts such as De La Soul, KRS-1 and The Beatnuts.

Their new 2007 album, "Johnny Polygon and Bruce Yi Present: Johnny Polygon and Bruce Yi" features tracks (such as "Lay Around") that have been previewed on Music Nation, where it held in the Top 10 most listened to tracks for more than 2 weeks.

Yi's uniqueness derives from his non-traditional roots, where he has lived alongside folks of diverse ethnicities and classes. He says that this perspective has set him on his current path "to highlight everyday injustice and fight for equality through his music."

Growing up in TN, Yi studied the violin and saxophone, and graduated with a music degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, in 2003. Although Yi chose to follow his hip hop roots, his formal training offers a unique and lyrical spin on traditional beats.

Yi fights for himself not only through beat-making and producing, but also in the boxing ring, where he has been the 2002 Chicago Golden Gloves Featherweight Finalist, 2003 Chicago Golden Gloves Bantamweight Finalist, 2004 VA State Featherweight Finalist, and 2006 California Golden Glove Semi-Finalist.