"After a couple false starts, the West is beginning to show some zest. Forty-four reasons come to mind, but here are 15 that prove Cali is definately active."
Words: Branden J. Peters
It's been more then 10 years since the West Coast was a dominant force in the rap game. While the East Coast, The Midwest, and The Southhave had their respective runs, folks in California have been waiting for the ball to come back around. There have been moments- Dr. Dre's 2001, The Game's 2005, the hype of the hyphy movement a couple of years ago-but nothing has restored the glory of the Golden State's golden era of 1992 to 1996.
Lately, though, there've been some tremors out by the San Andeas fault. Snoop's back on top. The Game's playing hardball. Once dormant giants E-40 and Ice Cube are enjoying late-career resurgences. A gang of lesser-known artists, too, are rumbling a seismic shift along the Pacific shelf. Here are 15 rappers and producers starting to quake the earth out in the land where the sun sets.
"Taking It Nationwide"
1> Clyde Carson
representing: Oakland
label: Moe Doe/Black Wall Street/Capitol
Like the "five-tool" players baseball scouts drool over, Clyde Carson has the total package: looks, swagger, lyrics, flow and songwriting. Though he's released a couple of singles ("2 Step" and "Doin That"), his recently completed, newly titled album, California State Of Mind. is still in scheduling limbo, but his association with the Game's Black Wall Street Records should keep his name poppin'.
2> Bishop Lamont
representing: Carson, Ca.
label: Diocese/Aftermath Ent.
Slick spit sermons about girls, guns and God have Bishop Lamont's street albums, Nigger Noize, Calitroit and Pope Mobile, a devout flock of fans. Now signed to Aftermath (and helping Dr. Dre make detox), the man who refers to himself as "The Hood Franklin" is currently working on his major-label debut.
3> Mistah F.A.B.
representing: Oakland
label: Faeva Afta/Thizz/Atlantic
Even after his 2005 Bay Area smash Son Ova Pimp won him what was reported to be a seven-figure deal with Atlantic Records, Mistah Fab has continued to put in work on the independent grind. Rhyme-battle victory over Royce Da 5'9, last year's acclaimed SMC records release Da Baydestrian and an in progress joint project with Southern Cal's G. Malone and Mobb Deep producer Alchemist all lead up to F.A.B.'s major label debut, Da Yellow Bus Rydah, due this year.
"Something Different"
4> The Jacka
representing: Pittsburgh, Ca.
label: The Artist Records
Revered by local fans for his laid-back flow, hardcore subject matter and Islamic principles, Jacka is in a category all his own. Since making his debut as a memeber of the C-Bo-endorsed Mob Figaz in 1999, Jacka has released two critically acclaimed solo albums, Jacka and The Jack Artist. A third, Tear Gas, is scheduled to hit streets this spring.
5> Problem
representing: Compton
label: Unsigned
With a pair of radio-friendly records ("I'm Toe Up" and "My Life") currently in rotation in Southern California and Las Vegas, 23 year old Problem is doing a lot to dispel the myth that Compton rappers only spit gangsta shit. Major contributions to Snoop Dogg's Ego Trippin' album and tracks with Compton foefather Quik are paving the way for a major label deal.
6> Crooked I
representing: Long Beach
label: Treacherous
Last year, in what might be the smartest use of the Web by a rapper his side of Soulja Boy, Crooked I's Hip Hop Weekly freestyle series brought fromer Death Row prospect back into the hip hop consciousness. The razor sharpe wordplay Crooked showcases via digital download have made his long delayed debut album, B.O.S.S., one of the year's more highly anticipated releases.
"Keeping Gangsta Rap Alive"
7> Jay Rock
representing: Watts
label: Top Dawg Ent/Warner Bros.
Watt's Nickerson Gardens is the biggest public housing project west of the Mississippi River, so you know its denizens have seen a lot. One of them, Jay Rock, puts the experience into music. A regular collaborator with fellow Blood The Game, Jay's been able to take his tales from the hood and spin them in a Warner Bros. deal His debut, Follow Me Home, will hit stores this year.
8> Messy Marv
representing: San Francisco
label: Scalen Ent./SMC
Despite repeated prison stints for weapons charges, Messy Marv has maintained a fervent fan base over his 12 year career. From earlier efforts, like 1996's Messy Situatioz and 2002's Turf Politics, to more recent work, like 2006's Draped Up and Chipped Out and last year's Musik Fo' Tha Taliban, Marv stays the course and sticks to the script good ol' California gangsta rap keeping his pockets full of his audience happy.
9> Glasses Malone
representing: Watts
label: Hoo Bangin/Cash Money/Universal
Anyone with the balls to proclaim, "I got these niggas runnin' like Suge was coming," is definately carrying on the hardcore tradition of the West. Currently killing the streets and radio with his single "Certified" (featuring Akon), off his upcoming debut, The Beach Cruiser, G. Malone is a classic Cali rapper in every sense of the word.
"Should've Already Blown"
10> Keak Da Sneak
representing: Oakland
label: Allndadoe/Koch
With regional success under his belt ("Super Hyphy", "T-shirts,Blue jeans and Nikes"), as well as guest appearances on E-40's national hit "TellMe When To Go," Keak seemed primed to sign to a major and take his unorthadox style to the masses two years ago. He's reloaded, though, putting label woes and bad decisions behind him, and set to drop his latest, Deify, Through Koch this spring.
11> Suga Free
representing: Pomona
label: Laneway/ Warner Bros.
A self proclaimed real, live pimp moonlighting in the rap game, Suga Free has been recording for more then a decade. Though he's never found success to match that of frequent collaborators Quik and Snoop Dogg, the 38 year old preacher of "street gospel" has wrangled Warner Bros. distribution for this spring's Smell My Finger.
12> Turf Talk
representing: Rialto and Vallejo
label: 30/30 Muisc/Sick Wid It Records
Lighting up the hyphy scene with his hits like 2004's "It's Ah Slumper", Turf Talk has sold more tehn 40,000 records for his older cousin E-40's Sick Wid It Records. While wider acceptance has eluded him, his unique, percolating voice keeps the Bay Area going dumb.
"Creating The Sounds"
13> Droop-E
representing: Vallejo
label: Sick Wid It Records
Droop-E started turning heads in 2005, witrh his production on Mistah F.A.B.'s "Super Sic Wid It" and Messy Marv's "Get On My Hype". 2008 looks to be the year he sets them spinning. The producer's spare but memorably melodic beats are slotted for upcoming projects from Nelly, Lil Jon, and his father E-40.
14> Terrace Martin
representing: Los Angeles
label: Jakai Music Group/Warner Bros.
Producer/rapper/television and film scorer and... saxophonist! Terrace Martin can do it all. A former child prodigy in the jazz community, the 24 year old Martin has segued into producing hip hop music. In his new but already successful career, he's provided neo-G funk riding music for Snoop Dogg, Kurput, Game and this year's upcoming gangster flick Por Vida (starring Danny Glover and Snoop Dogg).
15> Bedrock
representing: Oakland
label: Skyblaze Music/Sony
Bedrock got his foothold in hip hop through Oaktown soul singer Goapele. The drummer and piano player went on to craft regional hits for The A'Z, The Team and B-Legit. Now his keys and hand claps are becoming a favored foundation for West Coast rap's finest.
Words: Branden J. Peters
It's been more then 10 years since the West Coast was a dominant force in the rap game. While the East Coast, The Midwest, and The Southhave had their respective runs, folks in California have been waiting for the ball to come back around. There have been moments- Dr. Dre's 2001, The Game's 2005, the hype of the hyphy movement a couple of years ago-but nothing has restored the glory of the Golden State's golden era of 1992 to 1996.
Lately, though, there've been some tremors out by the San Andeas fault. Snoop's back on top. The Game's playing hardball. Once dormant giants E-40 and Ice Cube are enjoying late-career resurgences. A gang of lesser-known artists, too, are rumbling a seismic shift along the Pacific shelf. Here are 15 rappers and producers starting to quake the earth out in the land where the sun sets.
"Taking It Nationwide"
1> Clyde Carson
representing: Oakland
label: Moe Doe/Black Wall Street/Capitol
Like the "five-tool" players baseball scouts drool over, Clyde Carson has the total package: looks, swagger, lyrics, flow and songwriting. Though he's released a couple of singles ("2 Step" and "Doin That"), his recently completed, newly titled album, California State Of Mind. is still in scheduling limbo, but his association with the Game's Black Wall Street Records should keep his name poppin'.
2> Bishop Lamont
representing: Carson, Ca.
label: Diocese/Aftermath Ent.
Slick spit sermons about girls, guns and God have Bishop Lamont's street albums, Nigger Noize, Calitroit and Pope Mobile, a devout flock of fans. Now signed to Aftermath (and helping Dr. Dre make detox), the man who refers to himself as "The Hood Franklin" is currently working on his major-label debut.
3> Mistah F.A.B.
representing: Oakland
label: Faeva Afta/Thizz/Atlantic
Even after his 2005 Bay Area smash Son Ova Pimp won him what was reported to be a seven-figure deal with Atlantic Records, Mistah Fab has continued to put in work on the independent grind. Rhyme-battle victory over Royce Da 5'9, last year's acclaimed SMC records release Da Baydestrian and an in progress joint project with Southern Cal's G. Malone and Mobb Deep producer Alchemist all lead up to F.A.B.'s major label debut, Da Yellow Bus Rydah, due this year.
"Something Different"
4> The Jacka
representing: Pittsburgh, Ca.
label: The Artist Records
Revered by local fans for his laid-back flow, hardcore subject matter and Islamic principles, Jacka is in a category all his own. Since making his debut as a memeber of the C-Bo-endorsed Mob Figaz in 1999, Jacka has released two critically acclaimed solo albums, Jacka and The Jack Artist. A third, Tear Gas, is scheduled to hit streets this spring.
5> Problem
representing: Compton
label: Unsigned
With a pair of radio-friendly records ("I'm Toe Up" and "My Life") currently in rotation in Southern California and Las Vegas, 23 year old Problem is doing a lot to dispel the myth that Compton rappers only spit gangsta shit. Major contributions to Snoop Dogg's Ego Trippin' album and tracks with Compton foefather Quik are paving the way for a major label deal.
6> Crooked I
representing: Long Beach
label: Treacherous
Last year, in what might be the smartest use of the Web by a rapper his side of Soulja Boy, Crooked I's Hip Hop Weekly freestyle series brought fromer Death Row prospect back into the hip hop consciousness. The razor sharpe wordplay Crooked showcases via digital download have made his long delayed debut album, B.O.S.S., one of the year's more highly anticipated releases.
"Keeping Gangsta Rap Alive"
7> Jay Rock
representing: Watts
label: Top Dawg Ent/Warner Bros.
Watt's Nickerson Gardens is the biggest public housing project west of the Mississippi River, so you know its denizens have seen a lot. One of them, Jay Rock, puts the experience into music. A regular collaborator with fellow Blood The Game, Jay's been able to take his tales from the hood and spin them in a Warner Bros. deal His debut, Follow Me Home, will hit stores this year.
8> Messy Marv
representing: San Francisco
label: Scalen Ent./SMC
Despite repeated prison stints for weapons charges, Messy Marv has maintained a fervent fan base over his 12 year career. From earlier efforts, like 1996's Messy Situatioz and 2002's Turf Politics, to more recent work, like 2006's Draped Up and Chipped Out and last year's Musik Fo' Tha Taliban, Marv stays the course and sticks to the script good ol' California gangsta rap keeping his pockets full of his audience happy.
9> Glasses Malone
representing: Watts
label: Hoo Bangin/Cash Money/Universal
Anyone with the balls to proclaim, "I got these niggas runnin' like Suge was coming," is definately carrying on the hardcore tradition of the West. Currently killing the streets and radio with his single "Certified" (featuring Akon), off his upcoming debut, The Beach Cruiser, G. Malone is a classic Cali rapper in every sense of the word.
"Should've Already Blown"
10> Keak Da Sneak
representing: Oakland
label: Allndadoe/Koch
With regional success under his belt ("Super Hyphy", "T-shirts,Blue jeans and Nikes"), as well as guest appearances on E-40's national hit "TellMe When To Go," Keak seemed primed to sign to a major and take his unorthadox style to the masses two years ago. He's reloaded, though, putting label woes and bad decisions behind him, and set to drop his latest, Deify, Through Koch this spring.
11> Suga Free
representing: Pomona
label: Laneway/ Warner Bros.
A self proclaimed real, live pimp moonlighting in the rap game, Suga Free has been recording for more then a decade. Though he's never found success to match that of frequent collaborators Quik and Snoop Dogg, the 38 year old preacher of "street gospel" has wrangled Warner Bros. distribution for this spring's Smell My Finger.
12> Turf Talk
representing: Rialto and Vallejo
label: 30/30 Muisc/Sick Wid It Records
Lighting up the hyphy scene with his hits like 2004's "It's Ah Slumper", Turf Talk has sold more tehn 40,000 records for his older cousin E-40's Sick Wid It Records. While wider acceptance has eluded him, his unique, percolating voice keeps the Bay Area going dumb.
"Creating The Sounds"
13> Droop-E
representing: Vallejo
label: Sick Wid It Records
Droop-E started turning heads in 2005, witrh his production on Mistah F.A.B.'s "Super Sic Wid It" and Messy Marv's "Get On My Hype". 2008 looks to be the year he sets them spinning. The producer's spare but memorably melodic beats are slotted for upcoming projects from Nelly, Lil Jon, and his father E-40.
14> Terrace Martin
representing: Los Angeles
label: Jakai Music Group/Warner Bros.
Producer/rapper/television and film scorer and... saxophonist! Terrace Martin can do it all. A former child prodigy in the jazz community, the 24 year old Martin has segued into producing hip hop music. In his new but already successful career, he's provided neo-G funk riding music for Snoop Dogg, Kurput, Game and this year's upcoming gangster flick Por Vida (starring Danny Glover and Snoop Dogg).
15> Bedrock
representing: Oakland
label: Skyblaze Music/Sony
Bedrock got his foothold in hip hop through Oaktown soul singer Goapele. The drummer and piano player went on to craft regional hits for The A'Z, The Team and B-Legit. Now his keys and hand claps are becoming a favored foundation for West Coast rap's finest.
