History of the Bay

The Bay Area is a region with undeniable talent, but it hasn't become a permanent hip-hop power center. We've had plenty of artists with hits and worldwide acclaim, but there are so many rappers who haven't had the spotlight. Many fans have wondered why the Bay seems so slept on, and never achieved the same level of success as other regions. One reason is that so many artists - includi...

Dregs One, rapper graffiti writer and & host of History of the Bay Podcast discusses his first performance ever - 2006 at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma for the Super Hyphy concert with Andre Nickatina, Yukmouth, San Quinn, The Jacka, Dru Down, and more.--Essential Bay Area Rap Playlist: https://fanlink.tv/historyofthebay-podcast -- Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/dregsone

This week's special guests are Tommy McElroy - co-producer of hits for En Vogue, Club Nouveau and more - and filmmaker Renee Moncada. Their son Tommy McElroy, Jr. is a top-ranked amateur boxer out of Oakland. They have a new docuseries out now on Oakland boxers and their fathers called "Sons of the Sweet Science." --Essential Bay Area Rap Playlist: https://fanlink.tv/historyofthebay-...

Sitting down with designer, YouTuber and Bay Area rap fan KeezyTV to talk about how he started his Haven Court streetwear brand, new fashion trends, and how hip-hop nostalgia inspires his clothing. --Essential Bay Area Rap Playlist: https://fanlink.tv/historyofthebay-playlist--Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dregsone--For promo opportunities on the podcast, e-mail info@historyofthebay.co...

Lil Kayla is a rapper from San Francisco's Sunnydale projects. She broke out during the SoundCloud era along with other rappers from her neighborhood like Lil Yase and Yatta. Kayla quickly blew up and found a cult audience that lead to multiple national tours, millions of streams, and a deal on a major label. Here she tells her story but also sheds light on her experience as a female rapper in...

Rappin' 4-Tay is a pioneering rapper from San Francisco's Fillmore District. After being discovered by Too Short and joining the Dangerous Crew, 4-Tay became a local superstar. He cofounded Ragtop Records and dropped his biggest hit "Playaz Club" through a major label deal with EMI. Although legal troubles interrupted his career, 4-Tay recorded classics with 2pac, Mac Dre, Suga F...

Renos HTK is a graffiti writer from the Bay Area Peninsula who's been down with the culture since the 80's. Growing up with a passion for art and skateboarding, graffiti was a natural progression. Along with his crew, Renos made a major mark on the San Francisco scene and is especially renowned for his handstyles. He's also the narrator of the 2004 documentary "Piece By Piece&quot...

Yukmouth is a legendary rapper from East Oakland and one half of the Luniz. He grew up in the 65 Village where his entire family was involved in the dope game, and rap became a way out. This led Luniz to sign with C&H, release the smash hit “I Got 5 On It,” and tour with Notorious BIG. As a solo artist he signed with Rap-A-Lot Records and released a string of solo albums and projects with his...

DaBoyDame is a pillar of the Bay Area music industry. From burning mix CDs in Oakland to having his own college radio show in Atlanta, he helped break major records and became an intern at 106 KMEL. This led Dame to a friendship with Yo Gotti and an A&R position at his label CMG. He has also worked for Motown and DefJam and continues to make waves as a songwriter, DJ, and artist himself. DaBoy...

Casual returns for his second episode on the podcast, where we discuss his new album and dive deeper into the group dynamic of Hieroglyphics crew. We also discuss Cas' influences on Biggie, Eminem, and Andre 3000. Of course we also had to run back an Egyptology convo to cover more hidden pieces of African history. Join the Patreon for bonus content: https://patreon.com/dregsone--History of the...

Philthy Rich is celebrating 20 years in the rap game and the release of his newest album "T$GO: The Motion Files." On his second episode of History of the Bay, he gives an update on the challenges of signing artists to his FOD label and talks candidly about his biggest rap checks, his best and worst investments, and more.--Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dregsone--For promo opp...

Shad Viciouz fka Shadow is a founding member of Woodie's East Co Co Records. In his third appearance on History of the Bay, Shad shares more stories from Woodie's history and insight into his mysterious death. He also touches on his own history with other artists like Jacka, Guce, A-Wax, and more. Shad also talks about his journey from self-releasing his latest album and preparing to perfo...

David Gonzales is an artist from Richmond, California who grew up in his local lowrider and Chicano arts scene. Starting with his own t-shirts and comic strips, he created the Homies characters that became a worldwide phenomenon. After selling millions of toys, David had to start from square one after the vending machine industry collapses. He's continued to push his own art and even started p...

History of the Bay Podcast Ep. 142: Shortkut is a legendary DJ from Daly City. He's a member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz with Qbert, Mix Master Mike, Apollo and more; and also part of Beat Junkies along with J Rocc, Babu, and Rhettmatic. Shortkut got his start doing mobile DJing at garage parties and eventually ended up rocking venues at the height of San Francisco's club scene. Not only doe...

D-Moe is a founding member of the Get Low Playaz along with JT The Bigga Figga, San Quinn, and Seff The Gaffla. Born and raised in San Francisco’s Fillmoe, he joined the YBG crew and grew his reputation as a rapper in juvenile hall. D-Moe was part of SF rap history on the “The SFC” with RBL Posse. He released his debut album on Get Low Records, as well as the GLP compilation. Throughout his career...

Atoms is a longtime graffiti writer who started painting in San Francisco while in high school and eventually built an art career in New York City. He's a member of the legendary BA crew along with writers like Neon, Jase, Giant, and Apex. Atoms has painted around the world and linked up with legends like Tie and Mike Dream. He is currently the host of his own podcast, "My Life In Letters...

History of the Bay Podcast Ep. 139: Too $hort RETURNS for a 2nd episode to pick up where the last one left off. Following the Bay Originators Discussion Panel at History of the Bay Day, we discuss whether he was truly the FIRST Bay Area rapper. We also talk about his move to Atlanta, the times he fell in love, Pimp C, Menace II Society, and the Hyphy Movement.--Join the Patreon: https://www.patreo...

Shad Viciouz fka Shadow is a rapper from Antioch and an original artist on Woodie's East Co. Co. Records. He's known for his lyrical rap style that sets him apart from the music his fellow NorCal Latinos are mostly known for. In this follow-up podcast episode, Shad tells more unheard stories about Woodie and the other East Co. Co. artists and debuts his new album "Authentic."Purc...

Led by Too Short, the pioneers of Bay Area hip-hop gathered at the 3rd Annual History of the Bay Day for an epic discussion panel. Representing Oakland, San Francisco, Vallejo, and Hayward, members of the Click, the Dangerous Crew all gathered on one stage, with appearances by Conscious Daughters and Mistah FAB. Davey D (arguably the Bay's first hip-hop journalist), Lord Rab of No Vultures, an...

Marshawn Lynch is a former NFL running back and Super Bowl champion from North Oakland. He is beloved for his unique personality, his Beast Mode style of play, his business ventures, and his work in the media. Recorded at the 3rd Annual History of the Bay Day at Public Works in San Francisco, Nov. 9, 2025Videography by Justin Timko-- Presented by 1Hundred Years Enterprise Foundation https://1hundr...

Berner has become one of the biggest entrepreneurs in music, clothing, and cannabis; but his journey started with humble beginnings from the Bay Area to Arizona. Falling into the scenes of San Francisco rap and hustling, he got his start working at the Hemp Center and parlaying his cannabis connections into music opportunities. Dregs One and Berner first met during those early days, and this podca...

Suga-T is one of the first female rappers to emerge from the West Coast and a Bay Area pioneer. Along with her brothers E-40 and D-Shot and their cousin B-Legit, she cofounded The Click and helped put Vallejo on the map. As a teen mother, Suga navigated obstacles in the streets and found her voice as a musician. She went on to make gold and platinum hits, but eventually took a hiatus from rap and...

For promo opportunities on the podcast, e-mail: info@historyofthebay.com--Turf Talk (@new_turf_talk_page) emerged during the Hyphy Movement as one of the most unique voices to come out of the Bay Area. Moving back and forth between Vallejo and SoCal, once he started rapping his dream was to sign with his cousin E-40. That became a reality when his debut album "The Street Novelist" droppe...

History of the Bay x Mojo Labs hoodies: https://www.brandonmurio.com/hotb25-hoodie--For promo opportunities on the podcast, e-mail: info@historyofthebay.com--Chris "C&H" Hicks is a hustler turned record executive who discovered and signed Dru Down and the Luniz to their first record deals. Growing up in Oakland during the crack era, Chris saw the music industry as a way out after wat...

History of the Bay x Mojo Labs new hoodie drop on Cyber Monday, Dec. 1st at 12pm - sign up to the VIP list for early access: https://mojo-labs.com--For promo opportunities on the podcast, e-mail: info@historyofthebay.com--Spice 1 is one of the greatest legends of Bay Area rap. Known for his gritty portrayals of street life, he got his started as a member of Too $hort's Dangerous Crew. This led...