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.

(VIDEO) Stunna [of The Pack]- I Be In Tha Hood

**Jacked the link from http://hoodaffiliated.blogspot.com/**

The Pack- Money Ho

I had some requests for this a while back but I could never find a link.

The Pack- Money Ho

Link jacked from http://hoodaffiliated.blogspot.com/

Songs from the Pack's new album, Based Boys

Fly- http://www.zshare.net/audio/4635761ab08983/

Rock N Roll- http://www.zshare.net/audio/4635822bd871da/
I think this one could've been a pretty big single.

In The Club- http://www.zshare.net/audio/46358644966805/

New Releases For 10/30/07

These major labels really aren't doing too much to help Bay Area artists sell. Federation dropped an album with practically no buzz a few weeks back, and no The Pack drops their new album with practically no radio play in recent months. There are a few songs on the album that have potential to be hits too, I dont get it.


Title: Based Boys
Artists: The Pack
Label: Jive
Singles: Vans, In My Car
allmusic.com rating: 2/5 <---- Hella Bad
Track List:

1. I Look Good
2. In My Car
3. Rumble
4. My Gurl Gotta Gurl Too
5. Club Stuntin
6. Milky Way
7. Gimme Racks
8. Fly
9. Booty Bounce Bopper
10. Jell-o
11. We In The Club Like (Da Dada Da)
12. I Want To Have It All
13. Rock N Roll (Slow Jam)
14. Backseat
15. Candy - (bonus track)
16. I'm Shinin' - (bonus track)
17. Vans - (bonus track)



Title: Cyclone
Artist: Baby Bash
Label: RCA/Arista
Singles: Cyclone, What It Is
Location: Vallejo
Features: Mistah Fab, T-Pain, Pimp C, Sean Kingston, Chingo Bling + more
allmusic.com rating: 3/5
Track List:


1. Numero Uno
2. Cyclone - (with T-Pain)
3. Supa Chic
4. Just Like That
5. What Is It - (with Sean Kingston)
6. Mamacita - (with Marcos Hernandez)
7. Dip With You - (with Aundrea)
8. Spreewells Spinnin' - (with Chingo Bling/Lucky/Queenie)
9. As Days Go By (The Love Letter) - (featuring Paula Deanda)
10. Na Na - (featuring Jean)
11. Thrill Is Gone, The - (with Ryan Tedder)
12. Don't Stop - (with Keith Sweat)
13. Mean Mug - (with Pimp C/Mistah F.A.B./Da Stooie Bros.)
14. Ronnie Rey All Day...Choppin' It Up - (Interview)

Non Bay Releases....


Title: Supply and Demand
Artists: Playaz Circle
Label: Def Jam/DTP
Single: Duffle Bag Boy
Location: Georgia


Title: Walkin' Bank Roll
Artist: Project Pat
Label: Koch
Single: Don't Call Me No Mo
Location: Memphis TN
allmusic.com rating: 3/5

(Video) The Pack- In My Car

Damn....they don't even rhyme half the time on this song...the video is entertaining though.

The Pack- In My Car (First Single??)

http://www.zshare.net/audio/3725791105da23/

According to Chico from Hoodaffiliated.blogspot.com, this is the first single from their upcoming album, "Based Boys."

Personally..I think the hook on this song is one of the most annoying hooks I've ever heard. I don't know if they could pull of a hit as big as "Vans".

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.

Too Short ft. The Pack, Keak Da Sneak, Bone Crusher- I'm Outside

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.2630/title.too-hort-f-the-pack-keak-da-sneak-bonecrusher-im-outside

I wonder what album or mixtape this is from..

Bay Area Soundscans

*Jacked From A Forum, not gonna bust it out cuz a certain organization is going after people who post soundscan numbers*

There numbers are as of January of this year

SAN QUINN
ROCK: PRESSURE MAKES DIAMONDS
MBRE
Album2005-10-11
17967

KEAK DA SNEAK
KUNTA KINTE
RTEN
Album2006-02-21
15838

KEAK DA SNEAK
CONTACT SPORT
SIC
Album2006-02-07
9349

MISTAH FAB
MAC DRE PRESENTS-SON OVA PIMP
THZN
Album2005-04-19
12553

PACK,THE
SKATEBOARDS 2 SCRAPERS
SBME
Album2006-12-19
5025

BULLYS WIT FULLYS
INFRASTRUCTURE
MBRE
Album2006-03-07
8679

BIG RICH
BLOCK TESTED, HOOD APPROVED
KOCH
Album2006-06-27
4382

TOO SHORT
BLOW THE WHISTLE
JIVE
Album2006-07-25
120925

E-40
MY GHETTO REPORT CARD
WAR
Album2006-03-14
484050

TURF TALK
STREET NOVELIST
SKWI
Album2004-09-14
17067

TURF TALK
BRINGS THE HOOD COLABILATION
SKWI
Album2005-03-29
11165

FEDERATION
FEDERATION
VRGN
Album2004-10-05
29171



The following are more updated:

E-40 MY GHETTO REPORT CARD Album 2006-03-14 507331
KEAK DA SNEAK/P.S.D. THA DRIVA DA BIDNESS Album 2007-02-13 13348
MISTAH F.A.B. DA BAYDESTRIAN Album 2007-05-15 8185