nenci’s sound encompasses a variety of influences: from playing classical music on flute to bumping 80s and 90s R&B/soul alongside experimental electronica. in this first look at their collaboration, nenci and Leviathe perform their rendition of james blake’s “f.o.r.e.v.e.r.”, and we had the honor of chatting with them more about the project and how the video came together.
Read MoreCiting Harvard University's polarizing 2009 study on the psychosomatic effects of flowing water, the Georgian ethnomusicologist Diana R. Veerum wrote that we naturally derive comfort from tonally-descending music because it both evokes our time in the womb and triggers synapses associated with skiing and other downhill sports.
Read More“Silver Crest” is a track written by GrandBankss while waiting for an artist to show up to his studio fashionably late. In fact the entire album was originally written and recorded on his phone at Different Fur Studios while patiently waiting for musicians to arrive, and more so when they didn’t show up. The track titled “Silver Crest” is reminiscent of a classic 24-hour diner in the Bayview district GrandBankss would take his friends at 2:00AM after playing shows in San Francisco. Nostalgia of old bay area late night spots and simple distorted Brazilian rhythms make up this album, which was taken off of phone recordings and elaborated on/re-recorded with the help of Sean Paulson, and various other people from the SF music scene.
Read MoreIf you’re tapped into the music scene in the Bay Area these days, it’s hard to miss Drew Banga. The talented OSA-bred drummer, turned bassist, turned producer has collaborated with a laundry list of the Bay’s most prominent and emerging artists.
Read MoreIf you like Bay Area hip-hop and haven’t heard of Drew Banga, chances are you’ve heard his music. He’s the producer behind some of Caleborate, ALLBLACK, Rexx Life Raj and 1-O.A.K.'s biggest songs. And recently, he and his frequent collaborator Bosslife Big Spence released the title track off their project 10K. It’s in early contention to become a standout song of the summer.
Read More"We need a Jay Z in the Bay's music industry. I'm not trying to rap, but we need a mogul to increase access for our region's artists to have flexibility for projects."
Read MoreJay Casio has tried to forge a new identity since going solo from his initial outfit, one-half of Oakland party rappers RnB Millionaires. In 2014, the autotuned rap-singer first traded in the jokey club-friendly anthems for the syrupy exposé on Water Based, then released 2017's more sunshine-y Jaycation. In that transformation, Jay seemed to have found the perfect producer partner in Text Me Records signee, Nanosaur.
Read More@basi_sts and @drewwwbanga pull up to deliver their EP Shake The Scene. The East Oakland representative, Basi showcases a slick flow and clear diction as he takes on really musical hip-hop production courtesy of the Bosslife producer. Give the new tape a listen.
This Friday, January 10, 2020 join us at Oaklandish Downton (1444 Broadway) for a celebration of Basi & Drew Banga's new EP entitled, "Shake The Scene." Basi & Drew Banga, both born and raised in Oakland, are bringing a new sound and energy to the forefront of the Bay Area music scene.
Read MoreOakland newcomer Basi joins Bay Area go-to producer Drew Banga for “PUMPFAKE”, the new single for upcoming smooth 5- track project called “Shake The Scene”
Read MoreUp and coming singer/songwriter Olivia Prado makes a grand entry into the industry with her first single titled “Hey You”. The Bay Area raised singer delivers a heartwarming performance over the mellow, soulful backdrop laid before her. Armed with a wide and commanding vocal range, she draws the listener into her colorful world with enthralling melodies and heartfelt lyrics to match. As a first release, the single showcases Prado’s soulful/pop style that bridges the gap between the old and new with her own personal twist added to the blend.
Avec sa nouvelle chanson intitulée Hey You, Olivia Prado fait une grande rentrée dans la liste des artistes qu’il faut absolument suivre. Dans un Paris agréable qui s’enfonce dans un bel automne, la chanson sonne comme la parfaite bande originale pour habiller votre journée. Sans aucun doute la chanson dont vous avez besoin pour votre pause musicale quotidienne.
With Bay Area roots and a worldly perspective, Olivia Prado is full of life and color, drawing her soulful pop sound from Motown classics, and 90’s artists like Destiny’s Child, Aaliyah, and Brittany Spears. She delivers honest and promising vocals as she carves out moments of pain and playfulness into her writing. Recently signed to Text Me Records for her first release, Olivia is now laying down the groundwork for her career.
With Bay Area roots and a worldly perspective, Olivia Prado is full of life and color, drawing her soulful pop sound from Motown classics, and 90’s artists like Destiny’s Child, Aaliyah, and Brittany Spears.
Read MoreOK, look: We love YBN Cordae. The North Carolina rapper possesses a bonafide pen — he fired legit shots to all the old heads in J. Cole's "1985" diss and is a lyrical beacon among what some may call a misguided, if not misunderstood, rap generation. To have YBN Cordae hit the Bay so soon after his Chance the Rapper-assisted song, "Bad Idea" drop is a treat, and we swear it.
Recently on my trip to the Bay Area, California culture extraordinaire Zini pointed me in the direction of budding underground rapper WADE08 and from my first listen to Wade’s debut TUCKMODE EP I was sold on the burgeoning MC. Wade characterizes his unique sound as a “futuristic hyphy.” distinctly Bay Area sound with a more modern and soulful twist on the classic sound.
Ever since I first got into music blogging I have had a particular fascination with the different scenes that make the greater underground rap community into a whole and I have had a lot of fun watching loose collections of artists join together into a cohesive regional unit that takes their city from obscurity to prominence, or in the case of the Bay Area, back into the national limelight. Artists like Caleborate, Bosslife Big Spence, Offset Jim and a host of others both bigger and smaller in relevance make up this new era of the Oakland/San Fransisco underground and are marching forward with their distinct bounce and style, preparing for a new era for the Bay.
Amen is set to release her first project on 11/21, titled “Real”. Sultry, passionate and riddled with emotion, “Real” was produced by the Bay’s Drew Banga. His most recent credits include co-production of Kamaiyah’s “Windows” feat. Quavo & Tyga with Trackademicks, currently at 3.8 million streams on Spotify alone. Drew has made quiet a name for himself as the go-to producer in the Bay Area, working early on with artists who go on to rise to the top – including Kamaiyah’s “I’m On,” Calebrate’s hit single “Bankrobber”, Rexx Life Raj & ymtk’s “What’s Up,” 1-O.A.K.’s “Lost & Found” (co-produced with Kuya Beats) and the BossLife Big Spence’s “10k” remix featuring G-Eazy.
Read MoreBudding Bay Area artist Amen makes her debut on our list with her new groovy single entitled “McCormick Ave.” Backed by a smooth retro-tinged production, she delivers an alluring performance that showcases her vocal range and unique style. “McCormick Ave” is taken from her new 8 track EP REAL. Which is her 1st solo project with tracks produced by Drew Banga, GrandBankss and Mikos Da Gawd
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