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Hyphy Show, music, lifestyle, culture..San Francisco-Oakland-Bay Area.


All Things HYPHY ,
Every metropolis has a signature ; is famous for its own something. Philly and its Cheese Steaks; Chicago and its Jazz.

Well the Hyphy Movement is all the Bay Area. With pride and fervor, youth and young adults exemplify the Hyphy culture that has swept the Bay Area. Urban life can be daunting at best sometimes. Like a rose sprouting from the concrete comes Hyphy. A beautiful expression born from the streets of the Bay Area; Oakland to be exact, and perpetuated by the thousands of people who found a way of releasing the inner beast.

Go dumb ! Get Stupid ! are phrases that often depict explosive actions and lifestyles free from limitations as well as uncensored verbal and nonverbal expression. Hyphy is dance, slang, fashion and car culture. Not everyone is church-going folks, but maybe you've seen and heard of some of the antics associated with catching the spirit. A certain chord or note sung by the choir or something the preacher says can strike a nerve and push THAT button. You know which button. The one that keeps your emotions suppressed. Pushing it can cause an unconventional release of energy and emotion. Arms flailing, head twitching, legs like rhythmic spaghetti and feet like popcorn. Welcome to church all. Welcome to Hyphy!

Crazy? Those not willing to part with their own reality and entertain that of another person or culture even those who choose not to look any further than the surface may think so. To take a closer look at someone getting Hyphy is to see someone whose soul has been stirred. Their excitement and trepidation manifest themselves in the form of unique expression. This is reminiscent of an old school Southern Baptist revival and even evokes the spirit of our African ancestors who gather around their villages and get Hyphy!. Keak Da Sneak, "King of Hyphy" is largely responsible for starting Hyphy music being as big as it is. E-40 help make Hyphy popular. Item bodies a generation that some think is lost. Some say it comes from that generation being tired of being looked up on as deadbeats, lowlifes and thugs. Think hippies and what they stand for yesterday and today. Now apply that same energy to hoods of the Bay Area and you have enlightened yourself on the many facets of all things Hyphy.

So you know Hyphy encompasses unique dance and a distinctive language. What do you think they dance to? The manic beats with Hyphy lyrics spit all over them.The Hyphy Movement definitely has a sound beat, becoming a favorite of clubs Dj's. Many Bay Area artists passionately lay tracks that capture and perpetuate its hyper energy. The distinguished list of artists dedicated to the prolific movement include: Too Short, Federation, Mistah FA.B, Traxamillion, The Architeckz (Hyphy dancers), San Quin and more. They also strategically produce music to keep Hyphy on the radio. Any mention of the movement without these names would be an injustice. The same goes for DJ Shadow, a Bay Area native who has worked tirelessly on his art of Turntablism and has reaped the rewards of that effort. Shadow, in his early years in the industry, was instrumental (pun intended) in developing experimental hip hop styles. That which we call Hyphy would be a far less interesting story without his influence. Shadow produced the hit "3 Freaks" Featuring, what some say are two of the Bay best rappers Keak Da Sneak and Turf Talk. And then there is Crunk.

What about Crunk?

Crunk carries the signature of the South. It is considered to be a close cousin to Hyphy. The obvious difference is that Crunk is slower in all aspects than Hyphy. Hyphy is associated with partying. Remember that the next time you see a group of youngster getting all Hyphy. Let them enjoy it now before Corporate America capitalizes on this culture and movement, much like they did with Rap and Hip-Hop. It is not uncommon to see a kid strolling with a boom box in hand. It only takes a press of a button to play a Hyphy track and the party is started. Youngsters are drawn to the music like our ancestors to the celebratory drums which summoned them from near and far. It's amazing to the see the instant fellowships that arise from this. Complete strangers embrace and dance their hearts out. Remember the Break Dancing era? It's all good. It's all love. It's all Hyphy? As you can see, Hyphy is a lifestlye. It lends alternatives to deviant behavior, a release of stress and promotes unity. Though it may look menacing at first glance, at the end of the day Hyphy is just doing you.

Now, go get Hyphy!

Co-written by -A.S.Cobb-Marofmedia SF.BAY & Mastamind Productions LLC. all right reserved 2006 TM.