We’d like to introduce you to our new segment Rep Your City, a reoccurring list that features the top 5 essential and hottest artists in the local cities covered on Thizzler. This includes newcomers as well as the acts who have been putting on for their city in a big way for a long time and continue to do so.
Today we kick it off with the itty bitty city by the water that has given us legends like Mac Dre, E-40, Mac Mall and others. The resilient Solano County city has been the breeding ground for a ton of new acts lately that have proven that Vallejo will continue to be a huge factor in the Bay Area hip-hop landscape. Read on below to see who we believe are Vallejo’s top 5 artists right now.
E-40
The aforementioned E-40, also known as the ambassador, Charlie Hustle, Forty Fonzarelli, 40-Water and Unc has been putting in work for more than three decades. He’s arguably the Bay’s most prized artist and he hails straight out of Vallejo, CA. What sets E-40 apart from the rest of the artists of his class is his impressive staying power. He not only continues to release good music at age 50, but that music continues to resonate with younger fans. Over the past few years, his ability to collaborate with younger acts, and to identify and recruit new talent to his label Sick Wid It Records has proven key to his longevity.
The frequency of records like “Function”, “Choices”, “Slappin”, and even guest appearances on hit songs like “Saved”, “IDFWY” and “That Law” are no accident. The man is an expert adapter. He evolves with the times, and that’s why we’re still celebrating him after all these years. We can’t wrap a conversation about E-40 without also mentioning his business exploits. The man is building a beverage empire with his Earl Stevens Selections brand wine, Sluricane, and his E-40 40oz.
SOB x RBE
Any list about Vallejo hip-hop today would be rendered null if it excluded the city’s current hottest exports and reigning kings, SOB x RBE. The rap quartet whose members(Yhung T.O, DaBoii, Slimmy B, & Lul G) were only just wrapping up high school when it originally burst onto the scene mid-2016 has become one of the fastest and highest rising acts the Bay Area has seen in a long time. The rambunctious group of emcees uphold the Bay Area’s mobb tradition, but does so over high energy, 80s dance record sampling beats that really slap.
The group’s most visible member, Yhung T.O caused quite the social media storm after tweeting that SOB x RBE created the new Bay Area sound. While it’s true the sound has been apart of the Bay’s musical identity at varying states of popularity throughout the past few decades, the number of new artists from Vallejo and cities beyond who are imperfect sonic clones of the boys that rep Strictly Only Brothers, tell the tale that T.O was not so far off. The group sets trends. You can hear their rap cadences and preference for beats stitched into the fabric of the Bay’s current hip-hop landscape. They’re winning, and they’re winning a lot. It’s no surprise that people are ready to turn on them on social media. But what we’ve seen is, a win for SOB x RBE, is a win for Vallejo, and ultimately a win for the entire Bay Area.
Nef The Pharaoh
Where do we start with Nef The Pharaoh? The 23 year old rapper upon first listen embodies the energy and swagger of Mac Dre, while also displaying a heavy influence by Cash Money Records artists like Juvenile and Lil Wayne. E-40 took a liking to him back in 2014, inviting him to appear on Sharp On All 4 Corners: Corner 1. Soon after he was named amongst Thizzler’s 2014 Bay Area Freshmen class and also became an official signee of Sick Wid It Records. In 2015, he gave us his most successful record to date in “Big Tymin”. For those who questioned his star potential at the time, the record which was inspired by The Big Tymers, the duo comprised of Birdman & Mannie Fresh, was the perfect response.
Since then Nef’s put in a lot of work, releasing projects like the Cardo Got Wings produced Neffy Got Wings, and 2017’s The Chang Project. He’s also done his part to embrace rising acts such as SOB x RBE, Shootergang Kony, and even Mobile, Alabama’s OMB Peezy, who he recruited to Sick Wid It. With his label KILFMB and his Pharaohs pre-rolled joints, Nef looks to be taking a page from his mentor and label-head E-40’s book. Rap isn’t just about music for them, but leveraging their brand to capitalize on entrepreneurial exploits.
Robbioso
Robbioso’s a North Vallejo rapper and a member of The Winning Team, along with acts such as D1 and Young DA. He first came to our attention with his slap “#FreeD1”, a rowdy record that finds him delivering neck breaking punchlines and calling for the release of his incarcerated homies. Robbioso spent a short time at Prairie View A&M University on scholarship to play ball, but came back because he didn’t love it there. Upon his return to the Bay, he began to build a notable following.
He brings high energy to every verse and spits his bars with conviction, wit, and clarity. He released his debut project #FreeD1 in February. The 9-track project is mostly all bars, with only two tracks containing a chorus, which can make for a bit of an exhausting listen. Robbioso is really hot right now, and he can rap his ass off. It’ll be dope to see him branch more into penning more complete songs in the future.
Benny
Benny is no doubt one of Vallejo’s hottest and most promising acts. The 20 year old, brings a level of experimentation to his song writing process that is refreshing in a climate where many acts are all about big beats and fast paced raps. Benny is about creating an emotional experience through the use of his rapping and singing. He admits that Bandgang PaidWill and Drake are two of his favorite artists and the juxtaposition of those tastes show in his work.
On “Dangerous”, Benny sings about the innate danger of living life in the streets, but also how being out there has in turn made him a dangerous threat himself. He’s still in the very early stages of his career, but is already seeing some records touch hundreds of thousands and even millions of plays. He’s promising new act that has the potential to be someone we talk about for years to come.
Vallejo’s undoubtedly one of the hottest cities in the Bay right now with a ton of new artists to look out for. Be on the look out for more installments of Rep Your City. Let us know in the comments which cities you’d like to see covered next!
