THABAY BRIDGE Words by N. Ali Early // Artwork by Tene Gooden
By the summer of 2006 the word “hyphy” had taken on multiple meanings. Once used to describe objects, emotions or feelings of unbridled energy, it was soon packaged as an energy drink (Hyphy Juice) and more importantly a way of life. The Bay seemed poised for the comeback it had been waiting on upwards of a decade and a single courtesy of the Ambassador of the Bay – E40 – seemed to be the track that would push the movement off into the stratosphere. The song was “Tell Me When To Go,” featuring “Mr. Super Hyphy” himself – Keak Da Sneak. It was all that and a bowl of grits. Equally important was the video, which captured the visual of the growing genre. 40 laid out the Hyphy Commandments on the last sixteen and it was official. Bundles of t-shirts went to press, beeswax sold out in every beauty supply this side of the Town and MTV2 made a special trip to announce their findings to the world. But months after the release of 40’s My Ghetto Report Card major record labels still weren’t convinced that hyphy was the surefire hit that its cousin “crunk” was. Even a second single, “Blow The Whistle,” courtesy of The Godfather of the Bay, Too $hort, couldn’t withstand the industry’s cold shoulder. In the aftermath, none of the young guns, who desperately wanted to carry the torch, were able to. Thankfully, time has worked to heal the wounds and the Bay’s talented pool of artists is active as ever. With label and distribution deals secured from the likes of Koch, Capitol and Atlantic, the Bay is arguably stronger and more ready than before. On cue, $hort decided on a compilation album that would effectively re-announce the Bay Area – hyphy or not. Appropriately titled I Love The Bay, the 21 track All Star slapper is a defining moment for the Yay; and in the scheme of things, much more than music. It’s a coming together of the ages – old and new. It’s legends and their would be successors all on one project. This is the Bay Bridge.
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