Yhung T.O. is a founding member of the multi-platinum rap group SOB X RBE. Growing up in Vallejo, he started making beats at age 6 years old and developed a unique, melodic style of rapping. After meeting DaBoii, Slimmy B, and Lul G, the three started making songs together that would quickly become viral hits. Their group skyrocketed to national stardom, performing at huge festivals and tours. But just as they were achieving success, drama in the streets spilled into their group. For the...

Sunspot Jonz fka BFAP is one half of Mystik Journeymen and a founding member of Living Legends. Growing up in East Oakland, he fell in love with music early but didn't identify with gangsta rap trends. This led Sunspot to find like-minded artists in the underground hip-hop scene, like his partner Luckyiam fka PSC, who joined Mystik Journeymen. Frustrated with the mainstream music industry, they pressed their own tapes and CDs, created their own magazine, and threw their own shows, including...

J. Stalin is a legendary rapper from West Oakland and the founder of Livewire Records. He grew up loving hip hop and saw it as a way for him to escape the street life. After working in the studio with DJ Daryl, Richie Rich, and the Jacka, Stalin decided to put himself on through his own company. 4rAx is one half of the Mekanix, a producer duo from Oakland. Starting off as a DJ for Digital Underground, he worked with various Oakland artists before meeting J. Stalin. Since producing Stalin's...

Cozmo is a rapper/producer who grew up in San Francisco and Marin. He got his start working with local artists like 51.50, Killa Tay, San Quinn and Messy Marv. After producing on some of Quinn's biggest albums, Cozmo landed a placement with the legendary Scarface. This led to making beats for countless artists like Dipset, The Game, Trina, Devin the Dude, and Nipsey Hussle. Cozmo earned a gold record with Wiz Khalifa's "King of Everything" and produced a platinum song for Berner, who he's...

Dubee is a respected rapper from Vallejo's Crestside neighborhood who was one of Mac Dre's closest associates. Turning down a football scholarship to pursue a record deal with Khayree's Young Black Brotha Records, he released his debut album "AKA Sugawolf" in 1996. From there he became part of the group Cutthoat Committee along with Dre and PSD. Dubee released albums on Thizz Entertainment in production with Wash House Music and was featured heavily in the Treal TV DVD series. After being...

Larussell is one of the most dynamic rappers to come out of the Bay Area. In a short period of time, he has gained millions of followers and a national spotlight for his music and innovative approach to the industry. Growing up in Vallejo, Larussell was heavily influenced by the Bay Area sound while staying true to his authentic self. The result is a refreshingly honest, thought-provoking style of hip-hop that has attracted a diehard audience through countless viral clips on social media....

Locksmith is considered one of the best lyricists to ever come out of the Bay Area. Growing up in Richmond, he co-founded the group The Frontline in the late 90s. Frontline blew up with the help of E-A-Ski's production and landed a record deal. This propelled them to the forefront of what would be termed "The New Bay," and eventually the Hyphy Movement. Locksmith also sharpened his reputation as a battle rapper, participating in freestyle battles against other local legends like Mistah FAB...

Slimmy B is 1/4 of the multi-platinum group SOB X RBE. Growing up in Vallejo's Crestside neighborhood, the home of Mac Dre, Slimmy was heavily influenced by Bay Area rap. Shortly after making their first songs in high school, SOB X RBE blew up on a national level. Touring the country and collaborating with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Lil Yachty, the group quickly shot to superstardom. This was short-lived as internal disputes led SOB X RBE to split up. This has not stopped Slimmy's hustle...

Growing up in Vallejo's Crestside neighborhood, Kilo Curt is an original member of the notorious Romper Room Crew and was Mac Dre's right-hand man. As a teenager, Kilo's crew became involved in a string of bank robberies that led to a federal investigation just as Mac Dre's career started taking off. Along with Dre and J-Diggs, Kilo was arrested by the FBI in Fresno and charged with conspiracy and attempted bank robbery. After surviving 10 years in the federal prison, including an intense...

Hailing from the Central Coast town of Seaside, Stretch has played an integral role in the Bay Area music industry for decades. Starting out as a co-founder of a local record label and music store owner, Stretch began booking Bay rappers to perform in his hometown. One of those was the legendary Mac Dre, who tapped Stretch to help him run Thizz Entertainment and get Thizz Nation off the ground. After Dre's passing, Stretch worked with Mistah Fab and the spin-off companies Town Thizzness and...

Messy Marv is one of the most popular artists to ever come out of the Bay Area. His career has often been overshadowed by controversy, beef, and incarceration. In this exclusive interview via phone from jail, Mess gives his first update in almost 5 years to let his fans know that he will be home soon and is ready to move forward from his past setbacks and conflicts. We cover his incredible life story from the beginning and his entire career history, which includes working with countless...

Formerly known as Erk Tha Jerk, Kevin Allen is a rapper, producer, and photographer who's played a pivotal role in Bay Area hip-hop for the last 20 years. Growing up in Richmond but moving around Oakland, he got into hip hop in high school and started releasing music in the early days of MySpace and Twitter. His 2009 single "Right Here" went from the internet to constant radio play on KMEL, leading to a distribution deal with SMC for his debut album "Nerd's Eye View." Since then he has become...

Silk-E is a rapper and vocalist from Richmond who got her start recording verses for Bay Area compilations. After working with artists in Richmond she got the attention of E-40 who tapped her to appear on his track "Lieutenant Roast A Botch." From there Silk-E won a contest on MTV for a $200k music video budget and production by QDIII. Despite receiving interest from major labels, her situation was complicated by her commitment to a label from the Bay. But Silk-E found a new direction for her...

Formerly known as Ya Boy, Rich Rocka is a critically acclaimed lyricist from San Francisco. Fresh out of high school, one of his first recordings "16s Wit Me" became the number one song on KMEL. From there, Rich released classic mixtapes and albums that got the attention of major labels. He moved to LA and joined The Game's Black Wall Street and later Akon's Konvict Music. During the 2000s Rich was the most-played artist on MySpace and worked with producers like Scott Stretch and Dr. Dre. He...

Louie Loc came up as one of the few Latino rappers from San Francisco in the 1990s. At 16, he was discovered by Goldtoes and made his debut on the classic compilation "17 Reasons," featuring on the song "Black N Brown" with JT The Bigga Figga. Louie got his name from the San Francisco legend Cougnut and appeared on tracks with legends like Mac Dre, Suga Free, The Jacka and many more. After losing his best friend in a car accident, he took a long hiatus from music but is now back and hungrier...

DJ QBert is one of the most influential DJs of all time and masters of scratching. As a member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz along with DJs like Mix Master Mike, Apollo, Shortkut, and others, he helped pioneer the movement of turntablism. Growing up in San Francisco, QBert gained worldwide renown by battling in competitions like the ITF and DMC. He was part of the album Dr. Octagon with Kool Keith and Dan the Automator, and has released music and scratch records through labels like Dirt Style and...

Gary Archer is one of the most respected names in the Bay Area music industry. In the 80s he worked with his brother DJ Jazzy Jim to revolutionize radio DJing. He managed Messy Marv during the height of his stardom, became the label manager for Mac Dre's Thizz Entertainment, and has worked with Mistah FAB since the beginning of his career. Gary shares stories about the early days of hip-hop in the Bay and gives some insight into his relentless hustle in the music game. --- Support this...

Twick is a member of crews like ICP and FSC and has been holding it down for San Francisco graffiti since 1983. His work is inspired by Mike Dream's revolutionary message and his Latino roots. Twick has seen the evolution of graffiti in the Bay from the beginning, including legendary spots like Psycho City. He has painted countless walls and beloved murals, and continues to push his art forward to this day. --- Support this podcast:...

Coming out of San Francisco’s Fillmore District, DJ X1 is a pioneer of Bay Area hip-hop. Working with legendary rapper Hugh EMC, they put out some of the earliest San Francisco rap releases. X1 shares his memories of seeing the local hip-hop scene evolve and the rise of other artists like Cougnut, Rappin 4-Tay, JT The Bigga FIgga, and San Quinn. Currently, X1 DJs on KPOO FM three nights a week and continues to be a supporter of Bay Area music. --- Support this podcast:...

Nef The Pharaoh is a rapper from South Vallejo who rose to nationwide fame with his hit single "Big Tymin" in 2015. Influenced by Bay Area rappers like Mac Dre from an early age, Nef ended up signed to E-40's Sick Wid It Records. From there he has toured around the world and dropped multiple projects featuring artists from all over the West Coast and beyond. In 2020, a series of personal tragedies caused him to fall back from music but he has since returned with his new album "4Eva The...

Goldtoes is an independent executive behind the labels Black N Brown Entertainment, Thizz Latin and GT Digital. Losing his father at an early age, he fell into the street life before transitioning into the music world. Goldtoes worked with some of the Bay's greatest rappers and producers to create the classic compilation "17 Reasons." This project featured artists like Mac Dre, San Quinn, Cougnut, B-Legit, and many others. Since then, Black N Brown has put out many compilations and solo...

Sleep Dank is a rapper from Vallejo's Crestside neighborhood. Starting with The Mac and Mac Dre, he witnessed the birth the Bay Area rap scene from his hometown. Sleep Dank became part of the 535 Crew along with Mac Mall and Dubee and was involved with their albums with Khayree on Young Black Brotha Records. Appearing on classic Mac Dre albums like "Thizzelle Washington," he launched his own successful independent career. As a veteran of the Thizz Movement, Sleep Dank became part of a legacy...

The Architect is a renowned producer from Milpitas who is one half of the group Homeliss Derilex. Coming up in the South Bay around Charizma and Peanut Butter Wolf, Architect was around for the early days of Stones Throw Records. He also produced for artists like Coolio, Planet Asia and Rasco (Cali Agents), Total Devastation, and many others. After taking a hiatus from music, Architect became inspired by the online underground hip-hop scene and started working with rappers like The God Fahim....

San Quinn is a legendary rapper from San Francisco's Fillmore District. This year marks his 30-year anniversary in rap, having dropped his first album "Don't Cross Me" in 1993 at the age of 15. Since then, Quinn has navigated street politics, addiction, and the ups and downs of the industry. He's collaborated with some of the most legendary rappers in the Bay Area and beyond and held a world record for the most feature appearances by an artist under the age of 21. This interview goes in-depth...

On November 1, 2004, the hip-hop world was shocked to learn that Bay Area legend Mac Dre was gunned down in Kansas City. Almost 20 years later, there is still no definitive answer as to what led to his death. Using thousands of documents obtained from the KC police department, journalist Donald Morrison conducted a thorough investigation of the facts for his 2021 article, "Who Killed Mac Dre?" On this podcast, Donald reviews his findings and discusses the details around Mac Dre's trip to...