The Bay Area stands out as a unique melting pot of ideologies and influences. Being the home and a stronghold of the Black Panthers, having a pimp and player persona depicted in films such as the Mack, and being a face for rampant gentrification, makes for a sound that’s diverse. Being around or involved in these activities and living in the post-Crack era Bay Area created timeless music that gives you a look into the region.
While Oakland artists Too Short, Freddy B., and Ant Banks created the blueprint for selling cassettes out the trunk that other regions incorporated to secure major label deals and E-40 has provided an endless stream of slang, their influence as well as their Bay Area peers generally goes unnoticed. After major labels Jive and Tommy Boy, among others divested from artists, they continued to produce quality albums.
Take this opportunity to learn more about Hip Hop’s unsung region, the Bay Area.
Rappin 4-Tay - Don’t Fight the Feelin’ (San Francisco, 1994)
Ill Mannered Playas - Ill Mannered Playas (San Francisco, 1995)
Honorable Mentions
- 3X Krazy – Stackin Chips (Oakland)
- Andre Nickatina – New Jim Jones (San Francisco)
- Dru Down – Explicit Game (Oakland)
- Dubee – Dubee aka Sugawolf (Vallejo)
- Husalah, Jacka, AP.9 – Mob Trial (Pittsburg)
- Lil Ric – Deep n tha Game (Richmond)
- Luniz – Lunitik Muzik (Oakland)
- Mistah FAB – Son of a Pimp (Oakland)
- Yukmouth – Thugged Out: The Albulation (Oakland)
- Zion I – Mind Over Matter (Oakland)