Editor’s note: This story is part of That’s My Word, KQED’s year-long exploration of Bay Area hip-hop history, with new content dropping all throughout 2023.
Watch: 'What's Pimpin'?' Dives Into Masculinity, Dating with Dregs One, Ian Kelly
Growing up in Oakland and San Francisco respectively, hip-hop artists Ian Kelly and Dregs One witnessed their peers enter the sex trade to make a living — a reality reflected in, and sometimes glamorized by, music and pop culture.
In a candid discussion with hosts Maddy Clifford, RyanNicole and Coco Peila, Dregs and Kelly share how growing up around pimping impacted their views of masculinity and relationships, and shaped the messages they now share in their music.
Catch up on episode one here and stay tuned for the final episode of this three-part series dropping on July 12. — Nastia Voynovskaya, lead producer
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If you or anyone you know is experiencing sexual violence, you can get free, confidential help at the RAINN hotline at 800-656-4673 or via chat at online.rainn.org. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is available at 1-888-373-7888 or via text message at 233733.
