What Bay Area Artists Can Turn Heads?

The truth is that E-40 is currently the only Bay Area rapper who is relevant to the national mainstream artists. Sure, some others are stars in their own region. But look at the Bay Area on globe and see how small it is compared to the rest of the country and to the world. After losing the momentum the Bay Area gained in 2006, the local scene seems to be reloading for another run towards getting recognized on a nation level. These are the artists I feel have the best chance.
**Inspired by a post on the siccness.net message board

A-LIST: Has a good chance to make an impact on the national level.

The Jacka
Pros- In my opinion, he puts out the best music from the Bay. Can appeal to the streets and to mainstream audience without making a dance song. Smooth flow and usually chooses nice production. East Coast connections.
Cons- He's not gonna blow up with one song...you really gotta listen to his albums to get into his music.

Clyde Carson
Pros- Complete package for the mainstream, he can make radio friendly songs without making them corny, appears to be a very good business man, can appeal to the streets and mainstream. Affiliated with BWS.
Cons- Has not yet put out a solo album so who knows how he is as a solo artist.

Ya Boy
Pros- Nice flow and great punchlines. Style isn't limited to the Bay. Affiliation with The Game gave him exposure.
Cons- Limited subject matter and unrealistic rhymes don't do it for me. The kids will still enjoy it but it got old real quick.

Messy Marv
Pros- Must have a great work ethic to put out as many projects as he has, can create hits for the streets, networks with artists in the south.
Cons- Can he stay out of jail? Will playing with his nose eventually bring him down as an artist?

Mistah F.A.B.
Pros- Has an image that can appeal to kids all over the country, can make some real songs, already has some exposure to the mainstream.
Cons- Simple rhymes, not respected as an artist by many, can sound corny at times.

B-List: Has a chance to make an impace on the national level.

Turf Talk
Pros- Affiliated with E-40. Has a unique style and can spit over all kinds of beats.
Cons- Has a unique style that may cause people to pass without giving him a chance.

The Frontline
Pros- Great lyrics over great E-A-Ski production. They talk about real issues and can still make great singles (ie. Bang It).
Cons- They don't seem to network with other artists very much. You don't hear much from them between album when it comes to features on other albums. People seem to forget about them.

Keak Da Sneak
Pros- He's had a good amount of exposure. Lots of play for "Superhyphy" and had a feature E-40's huge single, "Tell Me When To Go". He's also on Koch, which will help him reach a wider audience.
Cons- The big question is whether or not he still has what it takes to make a good album. His last official solo, Copium, was solid. However, most people haven't been too impressed with anything he has put out since.

San Quinn
Pros- Quinn can spit. He really goes off on some beats, you can feel the emotion.
Cons- After releasing tons of solo albums, he still hasn't been able to break into the national spotlight.

Balance
Pros- He has a style that could be accepted by East Coast fans. Probably has better connections to mixtape DJ's throughout the country than anyone else on this list. Has worked with artists from different regions (Papoose, Chamillionaire, etc.)
Cons- He doesn't really stand out from the countless other mixtape rappers.

C-List: Had a chance to make it, but it might be too late.

Federation
Pros- Rick Rock production.
Cons- It doesn't seem like major labels know what to do with them. They're not too good at making anything other than hyphy songs.

The Pack
Pros- They appeal to a younger crowd. Mainstream friendly. They've already had a national hit.
Cons- They haven't been able to duplicate the success of "Vans". They're pretty much limited to party songs. They don't really appeal to anyone who is older than a high schooler.



If you feel like I missed someone who should be on this list, let me know and tell me why.

Random Songs

Requested:

Frontline- R.I.P.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/481657520fda06/

Random Older Songs:

Ya Boy ft. Messy Marv- Bigger The Drama (Off Rookie Of The Year)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/48166971584391/

B-Legit- Gotta Buy Dope From Us (Off The Hemp Museum)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/48167985fe5281/

3XKrazy- West Coast Shit (Off Stackin Chips)
http://www.zshare.net/download/481686074408fb/

Mob Figaz- Hustlin In The Rain (Off C-Bo's Mob Figaz)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/4816951521f9de/

Bullys Wit Fullys- The Movement (Off The Infrastructure)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/4817039c0e0b6d/

(VIDEO) Frontline- R.I.P.

Most people seem to like Locksmith more than Left....but left could spit too.

(Review) Frontline- Lock & Left

1) Intro

2) What Do You Believe In 4/5
Left spit the truth in his first verse, nice beat, decent hook.

3) Take That 2.5/5
This beat just annoys me...except on the part where they have the hook. They're not really saying anything on the song either.

4) Now 4/5
Locksmith solo track...simple beat so that his flow/lyrics could stand out, pretty good song to showcase his talent but I don't see myself listening to it too much.

5) Lefts Girl (Skit)

6) When U Want It 3.5/5 Video Link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=GBfbgs785b0
I'm not really a fan of this song...except for Locksmith's verse.

7)IMG 5/5 Song Link: http://www.zshare.net/audio/38670734b3fad4/
Great song...Great Beat

8) Lefts Excuses (Skit)

9) This Is The News 4/5
Chamillionaire has two songs with a similar concept on his album, but Fronline executes it just as well. They go..or went...to Cal, you know they're gonna get political.

10) The Truth 5/5 Song Link: http://www.zshare.net/audio/386728071facf8/
They continue with the political theme on this one...with perfect execution. Everything about this song is great.

11) U Ain't No Producer (Skit)

12) My Backpack 4.5/5 Song Link: http://www.zshare.net/audio/3867402f90c819/
Nice storytelling track....catchy hook.

13) Cassandras Anger (Skit)

14) Lock & Left 4/5
Song talking about the watered down rap game...it's a good song and all...but they talk about this topic too much on this album.

15) Game Plan 3.5/5
Song for the ladies....

16) R.I.P. 3.5/5
Title Should say it all...not enough emotion in it for this type of song.

17) Outro

18) It's Going Down 4.5/5
Most recent single, very catchy


This is easily one of the best albums to drop in 2007 (Notice I didn't say Bay Area albums, it's one of the best period). The thing that might have killed it a bit for me is that it's very short (18 tracks minus 4 skits, an intro, and an outro = 12 songs) and I had already heard five of the songs. The length of this album shouldn't be a surprise because it was originally supposed to be an EP. Still, I think this album is worth a purchase with great E-A-SKI production, real lyrics, and just overall quality.

Lyrics: 4.5/5
Beats: 4.5/5
Concepts: 4.5/5

OVERALL: 4.5/5

New Releases For 9/25/07

Title: Just Like You
Artist: Keyshia Cole
Label: Geffen
Location: Oakland
allmusic.com rating: 4.5/5
Singles: Let It Go, Shoulda Let You Go
Features: Too Short, Missy Elliot, Lil Kim, Young Dro, Anthony Hamilton, Amina, Diddy
Track List:
1. Let It Go
2. Didn't I Tell You
3. Fallin' Out
4. Give Me More
5. I Remember
6. Shoulda Let You Go
7. Heaven Sent
8. Same Thing
9. Got To Get My Heart Back
10. Was It Worth It?
11. Just Like You
12. Losing You
13. Last Night
14. Work It Out
15. Let It Go (Remix)

I'm not into R&B at all....but I could see that Keyshia has talent...and she's from the Bay, so she gets bonus points for that. This will probably be the best selling Bay Area album of the year.


Title: Lock & Left
Album: The Frontline
Label: IMG
Location: Richmond
Singles: When U Want It, Its Goin Down, Take That
Track List:
1. Intro
2. What Do You Believe In
3. Take That
4. Now
5. Lefts Girl
6. When U Want It
7. IMG
8. Lefts Excuses
9. This Is The News
10. The Truth (ft. E-A-Ski)
11. U Ain't No Producer
12. My Backpack
13. Cassandras Anger
14. Lock & Left
15. Game Plan
16. R.I.P.
17. Outro
18. It's Goin Down (Bonus Track)
(My Review Coming Soon)


Title: Money's My Motivation
Artist: Kafani
Label: Koch
Location: Oakland
Singles: Fast (Like a NASCAR), Like Ooh
Track List:
1. Intro
2. Throw Ya Hood Up
3. Fast: Like A Nascar (Feat. Keak Da Sneak)
4. Like Ooh
5. Thizzin' (Feat. DJ Montay)
6. Lean In It (Feat. Erk & Samm)
7. Fast: Like A Nascar Remix (Feat. UNK)
8. Side 2 Side
9. Cutie Pie (Feat. Samm)
10. What U Wanna Do (Feat. San Quinn)
11. Hatin' On Me (Feat. Kashmere & C. Holiday)
12. Show Your Wrist Then (Feat. Kashmere, Skywalka, Kaz Kyzah & Pranksta The Kidd)
13. Everybody Knows My Name (Feat. Kashmere & Keak Da Sneak)
14. Money's My Motivation
(My Review Coming Soon)

As for the non Bay Area Releases...


Title: Welcom To The Zoo
Artist: Gorilla Zoe
Label: Bad Boy
Singles: Hood Nigga
Location: Atl
allmusic.com rating: 3/5


Title: For The Hell Of It
Artist: Hell Rell
Label: Koch
Location: NY
allmusic.com Rating: 3/5


Title: Back Like We Left Something
Artist: UTP Playas
Label: Rap-A-Lot/Asylum
Location: New Orleans


Title: Songs For Girls
Artist: Will.I.Am
Label: Universal/Interscope
Location: LA
Singles: I Got It From My Mama
allmusic.com rating: 4/5

Upcoming Bay Area Releases

Here are a few of the bigger local rappers whose albums have release dates...which are of course subject to change.

Kafani- Money's My Motivation SEPT. 25
Frontline- Lock & Left SEPT. 25 (maybe)
Keyshia Cole- Just Lke You SEPT. 25
Federation- It's Whateva OCT. 2
The Pack- Based Boys OCT. 30
Keak Da Sneak- Deify NOV. 6 Edit: Pushed Back To FEB 2008

Other random news....Ya Boy shot a video for "Holla at Ya Boy" which should be released sometime in the next few months. Still no release date for his EP.

New Singles From San Quinn (ft. Clyde Carson) and Frontline

Frontline- It's Going Down
http://www.zshare.net/audio/23321202f1f7fc/
Looks like it could be a radio hot out here


San Quinn ft. Clyde Carson- Push Up On Me
Hear it on Quinn's myspace
http://www.myspace.com/sanquinn
Done Deal Kenny says it's the first official single

Frontline- I.M.G.

This shit slappps.

Frontline- I.M.G.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/02-i-m-g-_o-mp3.html