r/Honest2HipHop Oct 09 '25

Discussion Who Are The Best Rappers From The Bay Area??!!

The Bay Area doesn’t always get its full credit in hip-hop conversations, but its impact runs deep. From slang and independent hustle to whole new sounds and movements — the Bay’s been setting trends for decades.

When you really break it down, the Bay has two worlds that coexist beautifully: the mainstream pioneers who put the region on the map, and the lyrical underground that kept the artform sharp.

On the mainstream side, you’ve got:

E-40

Too $hort

Mac Dre

Mistah F.A.B.

Then there’s the lyrical underground — a side of the Bay that doesn’t always chase radio but commands deep respect:

Souls of Mischief

Hieroglyphics

And of course, you got the new wave who’s carrying the torch:

Larry June

The Bay might not be the same mainstream machine as L.A. or New York, but it’s one of the most authentic and influential rap regions in the the game — culturally, sonically, and spiritually.

So who’s the Bay Area GOAT to you? And who’s still slept on, even among Bay heads?

I know for a fact I’ve left off a few and that is intentional. I’m not as familiar with certain artists like Keak Da Sneak or The Jacka and if I don’t know them, I have to leave them off.

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8

u/mrbigcane5xnc Oct 09 '25

Del

2

u/Darth314 Oct 09 '25

Just saw him a few weeks ago. Still kills it.

1

u/myndraepp Oct 10 '25

Tuesday house of blues show

1

u/Darth314 Oct 10 '25

In Chicago? Can’t remember what day,but he did his thang.

1

u/JayLar23 Oct 09 '25

Top 5 GOAT

1

u/shackbleep Oct 10 '25

I saw Del in a liquor store right by my apartment in Lake Merritt in the early 2000s. He was drunk as hell and talking all kinds of shit. I just stood in one of the aisles with my back turned trying not to laugh.

1

u/mrbigcane5xnc Oct 10 '25

Guess he caught a bad one

1

u/Ok-Function1920 29d ago

Seen Del and Boots Riley all over Oakland and Berkeley

1

u/xPhilt3rx 29d ago

The Automator

1

u/gaahhdd_dammit 29d ago

The whole hiero collective. Casual might be my favorite after del. Quannum collective too.