Bay Area Hip Hop 2007 In Review/ 2008 Preview

What happened to the local buzz? In 2006, everyone was curious about what Bay Area artists were going to bring. In 2007 it seemed like people stopped caring. Even KMEL and KYLD gave up on local artists (94.9 pretty much gave up on rap in general). Out of the local artist signed to major labels only a few released albums....and none of them had commercial success. Still, there were some quality albums that dropped. Lets take a look back at the 2007 releases that mattered....

2007 Albums

Mistah F.A.B. "Da Baydestrian": Mistah F.A.B. released this album to keep his fans happy while they wait for his major label debut. The album came out pretty good with a nice mix of party and serious songs.
Songs to check out: Sideshow (Remix), Goin Crazy, 100 Bars

Turf Talk "West Coast Vaccine": This is one of this years best Bay Area albums with the best album cover. Rick Rock and Droop-E provided some serious slaps.
Songs to check out: Super Star, Popo's, I'm Ghetto, Groupie

Federation "It's Whateva": After their first album drop, everyone was anticipating a follow up album. However, by the time this album dropped, the anticipation was gone. The album wasn't bad, but it didn't have the same effect as the first one. It didn't help that their most popular song since the first album couldn't get cleared.
Songs to check out: Got Me Fucked Up, My Rimz, New Baby Daddy

The Pack "Based Boys": With a song that was as big as Vans, I was expecting big things for The Pack. As with the rest of the Bay this year, big things didnt happen. There are some slaps on this one though.
Songs to check out: I Look Good, Rock N Roll, Fly

Frontline "Lock & Left": This one gets the award for most slept on album. Great lyrics and great production...what more can you ask for?
Songs to check out: IMG, The Truth, It's Going Down

Too Short "Get Off The Stage": This might be Too Shorts worst solo, party because with 10 tracks, this album is....too short.
Songs to check out: Get Off The Stage, This My One, Gangstas & Strippers

P.S.D., Messy Marv & Keak Da Sneak "Da Bidness": This was originally supposed to be a PSD & Keak album, but the very popular Messy Marv was added to generate more interest. The result...some slaps but this felt more like a compilation than an album...it just doesn't flow like an album should.
Songs to check out: Reloaded, If She Knows Me She Owes Me, Burdens Of His Youth

Messy Marv & Mitchy Slick "Messy Slick": One of the few albums I spent money on this year. The song with Yukmouth is too sick.
Songs to check out: On The One, 2nd Letter, Cherish A Thug

Husalah "Hustlin' Since Da 80's": This is the first Husalah solo I listened to. A lot of his shit sounds like a freestyle...but his style is sick.
Songs to check out: Mamaco, I Fell In Love With Crime

The Jacka & Ampichino "36 Zips": Very good album. Must listen for Jacka fans. It's not as great as his last solo, but a few of the songs are up to par with it.
Songs to check out: I Try, Starz, Droptop

Black C "City Of Gods": Mobb Shit! This album is still getting a lot of spins from me.
Songs to check out: Mashi'n Till We Rich, Gangsta Shit, Ridin High, Mob Muzik

V-White "Perfect Timin": I had never listened to The Delinquents before this album, so I didn't really know what to expect. The result is an album that was put together well with some nice beats. However, there isn't really anything memorable on it and the skits were too much.
Songs to check out: Oakland, This One Go, What The Game Been Missin

Kafani "Moneys My Motivation": Kafani got picked up by Kock off the strength of his single, Fast (Like A Nascar). He'll probably go down as a one hit wonder because his album has already been forgotten.
Songs to check out: Throw Ya Hood Up, Fast (Like A Nascar), Everybody Knows My Name

Other albums were also released by Messy Marv, B-Legit, Eddi Projex & more..

My 10 Favorite Songs of 2007
(songs released on albums in 2007 only)

Messy Marv & Mitchy Slick ft. Yukmouth- On The One

Turf Talk ft. E-40- Popo's

Frontline- IMG

Zion I ft. Too Short- Dont Lose Your Head

The Jacka & Ampichino- I Try

Husalah- Mamaco

Black C ft. Mr.Walker & Moe The Hustla- Ridin High

Federation- Got Me Fucked Up

Mistah F.A.B. ft. Fabo- Goin' Crazy

Equipto & Berner ft. Cait La De & F Dog- Out On My Grind


Artists To Look Out For In 2008

E-40: He's the biggest rapper in the Bay (I'm not talking about his weight) and he's supposed to drop "Ball Street Journal" this year.

Clyde Carson: "He has a deal with Capitol, he is also affiliated with Black Wall Street. He has a smooth flow that should appeal to most." This is what I said last year as I expected him to have a big 07 but his album never dropped. Hopefully Theatre Music comes out in 08.

The Jacka: As I said before, he puts out the best music in the Bay Area. Tear Gas coming soon.

Ya Boy: His mixtapes have gained him a lot of fans...it's time for the next step. He hasn't released an actual album since 05..so I'm ready.

Keak Da Sneak: Koch pushed his album back to February...and I don't expect it to drop on schedule, but hopefully Deify has some slaps on it.

Mistah F.A.B.: He had an interesting 07...and hopefully he has an even better 08 by dropping Yellow Bus Ridah.

San Quinn: Who has been on more albums than Quinn? Nobody. His next album should be just as good as his last.

Yukmouth: Damn...as I'm writing this, I'm realizing how badly albums have been pushed back. People have been waiting for Yuk's next solo for years.

Other names to look out for: Messy Marv, J. Stalin, Balance, Big Rich



I expect 2008 to be huge compared to 2007. The rappers I listed need to drop QUALITY albums right after the other and all eyes will be on us once again.