The Bay Area's contributions as a building block in the development of hip hop is often forgotten. Culturally significant artists and developments, like the “Hyphy” movement, stem from the Bay. Important hip hop artists and albums have roots in the Bay Area, but oftentimes go unnoticed by listeners. 

The term “Hyphy” was created around Keak Da Sneak, an Oakland rapper, and means “hyperactive". Originally this term was dubbed an insult for highly energetic Black kids in Oakland neighborhoods, but was later reformed into a culture notable to the Bay Area’s young Black community. The Hyphy movement is meant to encapsulate the spirit of the Bay Area’s Black youth, who were energetic, full of life, and carefree. Hyphy had its start in the early 2000’s. According to Complex,  “Friday Night Freestyles” were a major element of the beginning of Hyphy, allowing aspiring artists to rap battle each other and show off their creativity.

Hyphy is not just about the music, however, but a certain atmosphere unique to the Bay. Sideshows, cars, and bass-heavy music, are just a couple components of what makes up Hyphy. It was a lifestyle that exemplified the importance of community and individuality to the Black youth. In an article from Complex, Draymond Green, a player for the Golden State Warriors, illustrates the meaning of Hyphy: “Gettin’ hyphy is just gettin’ hype, takin’ it there… Be live, be you. You ain’t gotta change—just be yourself and be live wit’ it”(Complex). Through a unique underground hip hop culture, Hyphy gradually became one of the most memorable facets of the Bay Area’s music scene.

Due to the extreme violence seen in the Bay, however, Hyphy and local Hip Hop artists could only expand so far. Many careers were short lived- either due to murder, drug use, or succumbing to pressure faced from gaining popularity. Mac Dre, one of the first influential Hyphy artists, faced a sudden end to his career after a shooting outside of a concert. Tupac, a highly important and influential artist, was a member of “The Digital Underground”- a group based out of Oakland. He was another artist whose career ended by a tragic murder. 

1988: Todd Anthony Shaw - known professionally as “Too $hort” - released the album Life is…Too Short, which is considered one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. As an artist living in Oakland himself, he boosted the popularity and culture surrounding Hip Hop specifically from the Bay. 

1990: Oakland native Mc Hammer released the album Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em. He became one of the first globally known hip hop artists, and the only Northern California hip hop artist to earn a Grammy. Throughout his career he secured major brand deals and reached notable levels of fame, starting new trends (like the infamous hammer pants) along the way. 

1991:, Renowned artist Tupac Shakur released the album 2pacalypse now, which was an album recorded fully in Richmond, California. According to the official Grammy website, Tupac was the son of a black panther; ideologies of the political party can be heard throughout the album, securing the Bay Area’s influence to the album and Tupac’s philosophies as an artist and person. 

2004: Mac Dre’s Treal Tv DVD and Soundtrack was released, encompassing the fun and vibrant sound that he was known for. After being released from prison for robbery, Mac Dre dedicated his life to pursuing music, and became a pivotal figure in the Hyphy Movement. His music was playful, fast, and included a heavy bass- all characteristics that make the Hyphy sound unique. 

2006: According to Complex, E-40 was signed to Warner Bros Record in 2006. He became another figure standing at the frontlines of the Hyphy movement, exemplifying the party and sideshow culture of the Bay Area. According to my dad, he is still seen representing the Bay Area sitting court side at the Golden State Warriors' basketball games.

Mc Hammer on the cover of Rolling Stone Issue. 586