The rap scene out of Oakland, California has gained national exposure in recent months. I’ve been sort of aware of it, but Oliver Wang’s coverage — on his blog (here and here) and in the press — has clued me in.
The hyphy scene seems pretty remarkable, with its thizz faces, ghostriding and stunna shades. Totally alien to me and my life, but completely amazing. Check this out: the “Street Version” of the music video for “Tell Me When To Go,” the new single from E-40. The video (very effectively shot in black & white, much like Jay-Z’s classic video for “99 Problems”) gives you an overview of all the elements of hyphy.
E-40′s latest album, My Ghetto Report Card, is his 10th and possibly biggest. It debuted last week at #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Charts and #3 on the Billboard 200 Chart. Good for him, since he’s been plugging away since the early Nineties. Much like some other Oakland rappers, he hasn’t left his community behind, helping others make it in the music business.
I’ve been diggin’ the new single and also the song “Behind Gates,” his collaboration with Ice Cube from the album Loyalty and Betrayal (2000).
For greater detail, watch this episode of MTV’s My Block: The Bay.
UPDATE: E-40 is a very clever lyricist:
Jesus Christ had dreads
So shake ‘em
I ain’t got none
But I’m planning on growing some
Imagine all the Hebrews goin’ dumb
Dancing on top of chariots and turning tight ones
Very dense. Sly reference to the concept of Black Jesus and the hyphy move of shaking your head, so as to swing your dreadlocks around in a circle. As for E-40 with dreads, one look at his close-cropped hair brings a laugh. Following up on the Jesus reference, he then slips back to biblical times, and has the ancient Hebrews going dumb (i.e., “gettin’ stupid” or having a jolly good time) and staging sydeshows with their chariots, pulling multiple doughnuts (a really tight circular U-turn) and ghostriding (stepping outside your moving car and moving alongside it or dancing on the hood).
2 Responses
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jb Says:
umm, e-40 is a slang legend. seriously. he’s responsible for so much of hip hop language. he was super big in the early nineties in seattle and i’m a big fan of the click’s old stuff. “Hurricane” might be my fav.
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CARRESSA YEARBY Says:
you know i been down with you sense i was about 5 and im 17 now you know i done heard ya shit with the click and suga t is my insperation and you know that yall been out and doin ya thang so dont eva stop making ya shit even if you aint with them or if you is get ya shit down because like i say “BITCHES KICK ROCKS WHILE I DO IT MOVIN” AND THAT RIGHT THERE IS REAL TALK. I’M FROM EAST OAKLAND AND YA SHIT IS PLAYED EVERYWHERE. Thanks for reading this i give my love to ya:> one love reese