MegaMan

The homie Dre raps over an EDM track to show his original flow and style. Blast this shit at any party or rave! Cover by KYRIO$ B

Dre Swisher - Bird Machine Remix

In the 90’s, it was West vs East, and the South was disregarded as backwards and ignant. When Outkast showed the world that the South had a voice and a message, it was only a matter of time that dirty south took the lead in hip-hop. Flash forward to the rap game of today and rappers like Future are getting all the attention: every song has heavy, distorted 808s and aggressive synths, every track sounds like an 808 Mafia rip off, and Future releases song after song to keep the rap junkies satisfied and content, but at what cost? As the rap game gets more and more oversaturated, creativity is stifled, and the artform and culture that is hip-hop becomes a parody of itself while onlookers realize that their generalizations about rap music were true. 
While the South, and southern inspired music, gets all the plays, a silent minority of West coast rappers are wiggling their way into the hearts of rap fans, not only in the West, but globally. Rapper Nef the Pharaoh of Vallejo, CA captured the attention of rap fans and critics with his song “Big Tymin,” a hype-filled, 90’s throwback with an undeniably catchy hook and a wheezy delivery that reminded fans of the good ole’ days when the Bay was doing the thizzle, when OGs like The Jacka where keeping the streets fed, and when Cash Money was unified and at their peak. Nef’s single reminded listeners that southern flavor wasn’t the only aesthetic in rap music, and that ecstatic, clever bars and unconventional flows were another way into the soul of the rap fanatic. 
On Christo’s new track “We Ballin,” Bay area rap fans are sure to feel a sense of nostalgia, while Christo and Nef flaunt their poetic prowess over smooth guitar chords, a whimsical organ, and some thumping kicks. Christo is a fresh face to the rap game, but he makes a great impression on this single with a set of bars that unabashedly flaunt his locale, his style, and his crew, Litmob. Christo’s style is the essence of what makes the West so captivating: smooth, conscious rap with a relaxed style and witty bars, as he raps “Born in a city from the west bay/ Moved out to the valley, and I’m ballin in a big way/ Speakers so loud when I pull up in that 2k15, year of my whip, yes I’m cruisin/.” Christo quickly transitions into an unexpectedly rapid, consistent flow as he spits: “Black on black, heart attack/ Women always call me back/ With these diamonds on my neck, I’ll show you how to make a track/,” ending each line with a satisfying rhyme. As Christo’s verse ends and the hook begins, the production switches to some wavy keyboard work, accenting Christo’s slick vocal control as he sings and raps: “This right here is that new west coast shit/ Don’t slow down but we don’t lose focus/ Flying down 99, going bout’ 100/ Thinking by my self, we bout to be ballin.” This song would be perfect for cruising in a 84’ Deville down Telegraph, blunts in the ashtray and a calm, collected vibe as a light, crisp Oakland chill vents the heavy fog of Swisher smoke. Nef’s verse is also filled with character as he flows with a funky, raspy delivery that complements Christo’s relaxed vibes. 
“We Ballin” is a natural reminder to all rap fans that the West coast still has heart and passion. From the cracked pavement of East Oakland, to the breezy shores of Vallejo, and eastward to the golden heartland of the 209, Christo and Nef show that the West can roll with the punches and still bounce back with some classic vibes and great verses. Listen and vibe to “We Ballin” and show some love to the artists!
- Nathaniel Schwass

SWISH

DRE SWISHER

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