In the summer of 2006, a rambunctious new sound left fresh skidmarks in its wake as it swerved its way into American popular culture, introducing such terms as "scraper," "thizz-face," "stunna shades," and "gas, brake, dip." Called hyphy (a combination of "hyper" and "fly"), it invited immediate comparisons to Atlanta's crunk and Houston's chopped and screwed -- national movements which similarly arose from strong regional scenes. Though often blamed for promoting drugs, violence, and reckless driving citations, the hyphy movement gave a name to the lifestyle of inner-city youth, who created their own rebel culture when mainstream society refused to acknowledge their existence. Influential rap artists like E-40, Mac Dre (R.I.P.), Keak Da Sneak, the Federation, and Mistah F.A.B. gave hyphy a voice, while producers like Rick Rock, Traxamillion, the Pharmaceuticals, Sean T. and Bedrock gave it a sound: uptempo and infectious, characterized by bass-heavy "slaps," keyboard-saturated melodies, energetic vocals, and catchy hooks.
One of hyphy's most significant aspects is that it's united the Bay Area's various area codes: 415, 510, 650, 707, and 408. The collaborative spirit saturates this compilation, evidenced by Dem Hoodstarz' "Getz Ya Grown Man On" remix--wherein the East Palo Alto duo, assisted by San Jose producer Traxamillion, are joined by San Francisco's San Quinn, Oakland's Mistah F.A.B. and Clyde Carson, and Vallejo's Turf Talk--and Mistah F.A.B.'s "Super Sic Wit It," a Oakland-to-Vallejo hookup featuring E-40 and Turf Talk, with a knock-worthy beat by 40's son Droop-E.
Speaking of E-40, the "Yay Area Ambassador" graces the D.B.'z "Stewie" (slang for a level of `hood freshness beyond stupid), Furious' "Take You Down," and Nump's "I Gott Grapes" (an ode to the purple foliage which has inspired many hyphy enthusiasts), in addition to his own "Gouda" (a synonym for cheddar, aka scrilla/scratch/paper).
Just as ubiquitous is Oakland's Keak Da Sneak, who lends his raspy, game-laced vocals to Sky Balla's "Big Payback," the Babyface Assassins' "Everybody Knows My Name," the Farm Boyz' "AllnDoe," and his own "Super Hyphie" - one of the biggest Bay anthems of 2005.
Hyphy wouldn't be as hyphy without the efforts of the late Mac Dre, inventor of the "thizz-face," whose combination of tongue-in-cheek humor and iceberg-cold pimp vernacular lives forever on "Feeling Myself" and "Get Stupid," two Mac Drizzle classics which add historical context to this collection. Meanwhile, Twisted Black's "I'm a Fool Wit It" (produced by DJ Toomp) and Da Musicianz' "Go Dumb" (featuring the Federation), suggest there are more similarities than differences between hyphy and crunk.
Representing the future of the movement, the A'z mine the seemingly endless well of Yay Area slang on "Yadadahmean," while the Team show their entrepreneurial (as well as lyrical and musical) skills on "Hyphy Juice," a shout-out to their energy drink of the same name. Rounding out the compilation are Shake Da Mayor's "Stunna Shades," Balance's "Grind," and Messy Marv's "Get On My Hype," which hint at the depth of talent in the Bay Area's rap scene.
Some call hyphy a lifestyle. Some call it an attitude. Some simply call it the truth. So whether you're from the soil or the `burbs, twist up the purple, swig the 1800 juice, pump the bass `til it slaps, and let them know you're in the building and feelin' youself, yadadamean? -Eric K. Arnold Oakland, California, July, 2006
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