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An Exploration of Bay Area Hip-Hop History

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Spice 1 Talks Growing Up in Hayward, Running From Cops and Breakin’ at the Mall

‘Those years, everything was a learning experience,’ the Bay Area rap legend says.

Remembering Anticon and Hip-Hop’s Reckoning With Weirdness

The dizzying Bay Area collective forced listeners to hear differently, even within a burgeoning ‘indie rap’ scene.

How Turf Dancing Came to Define Oakland Street Dance

Hyphy videos, youth centers and street battles all propelled Oakland's 'street ballet' of turfing, now known around the world.
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Timeline

Explore 5 Decades of Bay Area Hip-Hop

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What Woodie’s Brutally Honest Rap Meant for Antioch

Despite a troubled past and Latino gang ties, the white rapper forged Antioch’s hip-hop identity and built a platform for local talent.
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E-40’s Tiny Desk Concert Is Here

With an eight-piece live band, the Bay ambassador dropped by NPR for a tightly rehearsed 11-song set.

How Bay Area Hip-Hop Found Its Sound in the 1980s

Casio keyboards, homemade tapes and the boundless creativity of Bay Area youth flourished in the 1980s hip-hop scene.
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After 100 Episodes, ‘History of the Bay’ Expands Its Horizons

With a new studio and broader focus, Dregs One is committed to bringing Bay Area street culture to the world.
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The Real-Life Tales Behind ‘Freaky Tales’

A Nazi beatdown, an Oakland rap battle, a hoops miracle — the new Pedro Pascal movie is based on actual people and events.

With Casual’s ‘Starduster,’ a Rap Legend Reaches New Heights

The Heiroglyphics rapper celebrates his new EP with a release party at Oakland’s Crybaby.

Saafir, Inventive and Dextrous Oakland Rapper, Dies at 54

Saafir died on Tuesday morning, according to family — leaving a distinct, creative mark on Bay Area rap.
Richard Serrell, better known as Richie Rich.

‘Never Underestimate the OG’: Richie Rich's Second Act

After an onstage fall, the 56-year-old Oakland rap legend is proving he's still got plenty of gas in the tank.

How Kev Choice Made Room for Hip-Hop in Classical Music

The pianist and MC, who's worked with Lauryn Hill and the Oakland Symphony, tells his barrier-breaking story.