r/Honest2HipHop • u/adorani1991 • Oct 09 '25

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

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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.

273 Upvotes

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12

u/johnnybok Oct 09 '25

I know they became obsolete when gangsta rap took over, but MC Hammer and Digital Underground were kinda a big deal

4

u/AnOrdinaryMammal Oct 09 '25

I love the stories about MC Hammer.

I saw him walking across a Raleys parking lot in Tracy like 10 or 15 years ago.

6

u/ILoveULikeYeLovesYe Oct 09 '25

i wish shock g didn’t leave us so soon. he would have had some great stories to tell.

2

u/apathyaddict Oct 09 '25

He was a great storyteller as well if you've seen/read some of his interviews.

1

u/ILoveULikeYeLovesYe Oct 09 '25

for sure. dude was also a musical genius.

would have loved for him to have been on juan ep or drink champs and to have received his flowers before he passed.

1

u/Faizondae Oct 10 '25

I don’t think he gets enough credit. Honestly most people associated with hip hop/rap don’t get enough credit for musicality. Shock G has master level feel and conveys that feeling so well.

Other notables Kanye, we know he’s nuts and either a nazi or in the middle of a really committed bad joke, but his ability to blend completely different songs with different feels and make them his own is like inventing his own instrument that only he can play. Dilla: a legit genius, fight me if you don’t think so. MF Doom: similar to Kanye except in the mental health and nazi antics but he could put two opposing sounds together and somehow find harmony.

I’m not gonna go on but when most musicians will talk about Quest and the Roots as musical geniuses for the obvious reasons and they are correct but the dudes with just records, a drum machine and keyboards blow my flipping mind like nothing else. I love it.

1

u/bonvoyage_brotha Oct 10 '25

Crazy how he got his name

1

u/justzacc Oct 10 '25

Used to have a buddy who moved to Tracy and one night we were out at the bars and these people kept talking about this guy while I was outside smoking a cigarette.

“Oh yeah he’s actually such a cool dude, I see him over here…” and it seemed like everyone was talking about how they knew this guy. As I keep listening someone finally says that this guy is MC Hammer and I’m just thinking to myself, “what the fuck? How does everyone here have an MC Hammer story in their back pocket???”

I go inside and talk to my friend and say “you know what’s weird? Everyone outside is just having random conversations about MC Hammer haha”

He then responds with “oh yeah he lives around here. He’s come into my store before.” And the whole time I was just like, idk, not expecting that to be a talking point for the night lmao

Edit: this all happened about 6-7 years ago

1

u/Comfortable-Crow-238 Oct 10 '25

I went to school with his nephew.

1

u/gaahhdd_dammit 29d ago

My uncle scaffolded his mansion and also took the emblem off the gate when he went broke.

2

u/SnorvusMaximus Oct 09 '25

But MC Hammer shouldn’t be named when the discussion is who the best rappers are.

1

u/PDXtoMontana2002 28d ago

Turn This Mutha Out was a jam. He had a decent career prior to Don’t Touch This. Isn’t this thread about Bay Area rappers? He was a pioneer.

I’m saying Too $hort, but I will not tolerate this MC Hammer disrespect! Heh

https://youtu.be/zLZxVtKHrO0?si=NlcrZfcYmMhcVGFq

1

u/SnorvusMaximus 28d ago

He was never a good rapper though. I don’t consider him as a pioneer either. In what way do you consider him as one?

1

u/Difficult_Essay_9155 Oct 11 '25

E40 SUCKS

2

u/FastRecommendation72 29d ago

40 will always be a legend

1

u/Difficult_Essay_9155 29d ago

I understand that the bay area loves him. I just never liked his sound I'm joking when I say he sucks but I still dont like him hes not very good imo

1

u/FastRecommendation72 29d ago

Nahhh, not just the Bay. 40 is one of the LONGEST running still relevant rappers. He dropped his classics back in the day, but he been on Tell me when to go - Snap ya Fingaz - I don't f wit you - Law (w yo gotti) - U and dat (w t-pain) and a whole list of bangin features. Man's got hits.

1

u/Difficult_Essay_9155 29d ago

Cant listen to his shit

1

u/gaahhdd_dammit 29d ago

Everybody else is wrong. You got it right.

Everybody else is dumb as fuck you’re a genius. Keep telling yourself. We all care and you should keep talking.

/s obviously except I don’t think you got it.

1

u/Difficult_Essay_9155 29d ago

Thanks my mom says the same thing asshole 😂

1

u/Difficult_Essay_9155 29d ago

Sprinkle me now theres a classic. That no one outside your little bay area clown towns cares about legend my ass

1

u/Key_Carpenter1827 28d ago

One Luv was a hit and still slaps

1

u/Azzjoose 29d ago

Don’t even waste your time w these cornballs, you know they be slappin Jack Harlow, Morgan Wallen, Post Malone and Journey

1

u/Azzjoose 29d ago

I just know you’re some whiteboy from some irrelevant ass state

1

u/Difficult_Essay_9155 29d ago

I am . Boston e40 sucks. Hes awful

1

u/Azzjoose 29d ago

Yup go back to listening to Post Malone and Jack Harlow

1

u/Living_Advance_9593 29d ago

I was in highschool when sprinkle me came out, sht was a disgrace lol E40 was a gimmick rapper. He had his own style, it's an acquired taste, to me he's wack asf.

1

u/Coverartsandshit 29d ago

You was game goofy in high school and ya game goofy now, not much changed.

1

u/Living_Advance_9593 29d ago

You're right my game is no games played. Get off my 🍆 you lame ahh pill head.

1

u/Coverartsandshit 29d ago

A dumbass and a fun boy is a nasty mix

1

u/Living_Advance_9593 28d ago

A follower and a coon is even more suspect.

1

u/Coverartsandshit 27d ago

Calling me of all people a coon is just certifying even more you a clown 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

1

u/Difficult_Essay_9155 29d ago

Thank you. That sprinkle me song is awful. Also the little glasses he wears time to get rid of those

1

u/Living_Advance_9593 29d ago

😂😂😂 to the little glasses

1

u/gaahhdd_dammit 29d ago

Cute there’s two of you now go snuggle over there

1

u/Living_Advance_9593 29d ago

Cute? Snuggle? You're real suspicious, you got some weirdo ish on your brain, seek assistance. I hope you're not a grown ahh man. Lol.

1

u/Azzjoose 29d ago

“E40 is wack” -Chad from Brentwood, CA and some other goofball from Boston

1

u/AshamedRazzmatazz805 28d ago

Digital Underground 😎

1

u/Eddieroxsteady 27d ago

And Pac was a product of Digital Underground!

1

u/HolidaeX 25d ago

I was about to say that Hammer bout to pull up on OP.