Under The Bay Interviews

Episode 78: WORDUP

2011-07-12T00:12:06Z

An East Oakland emcee reminiscent of a young Nas or Opio (of Hieroglyphics), WORDUP's style is an even mix of poetic and street. Known on the street as a vicious freestyle emcee, he also has a natural flow with the pen and the pad. Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof met up with WORDUP in Oakland and they talked about how he got his name, how he got into hip-hop, his process for making a song, and more.

MC WordUp Mixtape by WORDUP.

Episode 77: JUSTINKASE

2011-07-06T00:55:26Z

A founding member of Vallejo's Rapshack crew, producer JustinKase has been on the rise in the last few months, producing hit records for #NewBay artists such as Damey, Ray Guevara, Show Banga, and more. Em Dub caught up with JustinKase at the Rapshack for a few minutes and they talked about how he got his name, how he got into hip-hop, the origins of the Rapshack, his new album Epic & Rare with Ray Guevara, and more. JustinKase also made a beat live for the camera, which you can download for free right here.

Episode 76: RAY GUEVARA

2011-06-27T22:13:30Z

A representative of the Diamond Umbrella crew, Ray Guevara has been rapping since the days of No Limit and Master P. Em Dub caught up with Ray over at the RapShack in Vallejo and talked about how he got into hip hop, his first rap, why he chose the name Ray Guevara, his latest album Epic & Rare with JustinKase, and more. He also gassed 2 verses for the camera.

Episode 75: DOC SAV

2011-06-21T01:20:26Z

Vallejo producer, rapper, singer and engineer Doc Sav has flown under the radar for many years, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been working. Having done songs with San Quinn, Turf Talk and others early in his career, Doc finally released his first mixtape T.H.I.S., a soulful blend of songs about women, college, not being a rapper, and more. Doc took a couple minutes to meet up with Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof in Vallejo and they talked about where the name Doc Sav came from, which came first, producing or rapping, the first hip-hop tape he ever owned, and the song that inspired him to make music. They also talked about his new mixtape T.H.I.S. and what's coming up next for Doc.

Episode 74: P CHILD

2011-06-14T00:36:26Z

One of 2010's Bay Area Freshmen 10, to the public eye it doesn't seem like P CHILD has been doing much since being nominated. However, he has been staying busy in the studio for the past year making music and ghostwriting for other artists and is now about to drop his new EP Metaphorically Speaking and his album Child's Play, both presented by Thizzler On The Roof. Em Dub got a chance to meet up with P CHILD at The Legion Studios in San Rafael and talked about how he started rapping, the meaning of his name, how he started working with Messy Marv, his new EP and album, and more. He also blazed 2 acappella raps for the camera.

Episode 73: BLANCO

2011-06-06T23:29:14Z

Berkeley emcee Blanco might have started off by spitting other people's verses, but over the years he's developed a unique style that has gotten him recognition from producers across the country, including Cookin' Soul. Em Dub caught up with Blanco and talked about how he started rapping, how he got the name Blanco, his albums American Psycho and Portrait Of A Serial Killer, and more. He also rapped 2 verses for the camera.

Episode 72: KREAYSHAWN

2011-05-30T17:24:38Z

White Girl Mob emcee Kreayshawn has been swagging through the roof lately since being named the 11th "wildcard" of the Bay Area Freshmen 10 and with the debut of her new video, Gucci Gucci, which has gotten over 1 million views in under a week. Em Dub met up with her in a cold alley outside SOM Bar in San Francisco and talked about how she got her name, how she started making music, what she's listening to now, her mixtape Kittys x Choppas, and more.

Episode 71: RYANNICOLE

2011-05-23T20:04:41Z

Oakland emcee RyanNicole is different from the average rapper. No, it's not just because she's a female in a male dominated genre. College educated and a poet first, RyanNicole raps for all the right reasons - to try to get her message across to her peers in the dopest way possible. Em Dub caught up with RyanNicole in Oakland and talked with her about her name, how she got into hip-hop and how she eventually started rapping, her mixtape Dis'onance, what's in store, and more. She also blazed 2 fire acapellas for the camera.

Episode 70: THA K.A.M.P.

2011-05-17T06:24:05Z

Money County representatives Cease & Yobz of Tha K.A.M.P. met up with Em Dub over at The Legion studios and talked about how they started out, the meaning of Tha K.A.M.P, Gorilla Gang, what they have coming up, and more.

Episode 69: D-BOI

2011-05-09T19:48:29Z

Representing Vallejo, California, D-Boi has been heavy on the mixtape grind for a minute now and recently released his first full album, Success Addict. He took a few minutes to meet up with Em Dub in San Rafael and they talked about how he got his name, how he got into hip-hop, his mixtape series Leaving A Legacy, and more. He also rapped 2 acappellas for the camera.

Episode 68: WHITE MIC

2011-05-02T20:49:12Z

A founding member of San Francisco's legendary Bored Stiff crew, White Mic has been known for years for his contributions to the group. However, with the release of his new free album, The Neighborhood Visitor, Mic plans to change all that. Em Dub got a chance to catch up with White Mic in Oakland over at Urban Umpires studios and talked about how he got into hip-hop, the origin of his name, and more. He also busted out 2 acapella raps for the camera.

Episode 67: G-MO SKEE

2011-04-25T20:52:19Z

The filthiest rapper in the Bay Area, G-Mo Skee has made a reputation for himself by saying wild, disgusting things - and making them sound dope. Fresh off the release of his mixtape Got Filth and his new music video Brace Yourself, Em Dub got a chance to catch up with G-Mo in Richmond and talked about how he got his name, the Got Filth mixtape, the INF Gang, and more. He also spit 2 filthy verses on camera!

Episode 66: DB THA GENERAL

2011-04-18T18:47:59Z

The self proclaimed King of Oakland, DB is proud to say he can go to any hood and be safe - and he proved it on camera for this episode of Under The Bay. After visiting 4 different grimy locations, we made our way over to the Oakland Coliseum to do the rest of the interview. DB talked about how he got his name, how he started rapping, the groups that started his career, his relationship with Poe Boy, his upcoming album The King Of Oakland, his latest mixtape Friendly Fire, and more. He also freestyled 100% straight gas for the camera.

Episode 65: PEOPLES

2011-04-11T21:29:04Z

Money in the air! A real Money County representative, Peoples The Artist took a few minutes to meet up with Em Dub over at the Marin Headlands for a quick interview. They talked about how he started rapping, the origin of his name, his upcoming album with DJ Skee Believing In Greatness (B.I.G.), his advice for independent artists, and more...

DOWNLOAD: Peoples - Money In The Air

DOWNLOAD: Peoples - Bonafide

DOWNLOAD: Peoples - You x Me x Him x Her

See part 2 this Thursday!

Episode 64: SHOW BANGA

2011-04-04T20:53:52Z

Yiiiikes! A #NewBay general, Show Banga aka Showy 4 Mayor is only 21 but has already been rapping for over 10 years. Lately he's been campaigning hard and letting the people know that all votes count! Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof got a chance to chop it up with Show Banga about how he got his name, when he started rapping, his latest mixtape All Votes Count, and more. Salute!

Episode 63: PHILTHY RICH

2011-03-28T08:29:47Z

One of the most well known artists on the Livewire record label, Philthy Rich has set himself apart from many of his peers by having a bottomless work ethic and a unique gangster style. Philthy took a few minutes to meet up with Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof and they talked about how he got into hip-hop, how he got into Livewire, his name, his latest album Trip'n 4 Life, and more.

Episode 62: BO-RAT

2011-03-21T20:10:51Z

West Marin isn't exactly known for it's hip hop scene, but Bolinas emcee Bo-Rat is one of of the rare emcees that broke through the "liberal hippy" stereotype to emerge as one of the Bay's top battle emcees. Although he hasn't battled in a few years because he's been focusing on his 2nd album, Bo Knows Rap, he can still freestyle like few others. Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof got a chance to catch up with Bo-Rat in San Rafael and they chopped it up about how he first got into hip-hop & battling, when Bo Knows Rap is coming, his advice for independent artists, and more.

Episode 61: BIG SHAWN

2011-03-14T18:38:10Z

An original member of the legendary San Francisco group Bored Stiff, Big Shawn is equally respected for both his rapping and his production. With an extensive discography including 5 Bored Stiff albums, a plethora of solo albums and instrumental albums, and a variety of different side group projects, not to mention production scattered across other albums, chances are that if it's hip-hop and it's from San Francisco, it's somehow been influenced by Big Shawn. Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof got a chance to chop it up with Big Shawn about how he got into hip-hop, the origins of Bored Stiff, his group Sound Earth, what's coming up, his advice for independent artists and more. He also spit an off the dome freestyle in part 2, stay tuned!

Episode 60: SKIPPER

2011-03-07T19:58:09Z

The youngest member of the HBK Gang, Skipper is most well known for his verse on LoveRance's smash hit Up! Although he's new to the game, he's hitting the ground running with some new slaps of his own. Em Dub got a chance to meet up with Skipper over at Revilo Studios in Hercules and they talked about how he got into hip-hop, the origin of his name, what's coming up, and more.

Episode 59: HONGRY

2011-02-28T20:12:29Z

Richmond/Oakland emcee Hongry has been known to gas ever since he started rapping. Part of Nio Tha Gift's label SNF (Succeed Never Fail), Hongry got his first shot at fame with Young Gully's 93 Til Infinity Remix and is now preparing to drop his first solo album, Seek & Destroy. Em Dub got a chance to catch up with Hongry over at 37Hundred studios and they talked about how he got into hip-hop, what artist influenced him the most, where he's from, his upcoming album, and more. He also spit some gas for the camera.

Episode 58: DAMEY

2011-02-21T10:00:22Z

Fresh off the #NewBay premiere of the video for his hit song Store Run, Damey took a couple minutes to chop it up with Em Dub about how he used to listen to metal and Michael Jackson, his inspirations, the age he started rapping, what he has coming up, and more.

Damey also sent us 2 new exclusive tracks to get ya'll hyped about the interview! Check em out below!

Damey - Don't Change

EXCLUSIVE MP3 DOWNLOAD: Damey - Don't Change

Damey - Itineraries

EXCLUSIVE MP3 DOWNLOAD: Damey- Itineraries

Episode 57: MIKE-DASH-E

2011-02-14T21:24:10Z

#NewBay! Self-made CEO of SMG & 3rd World Hustle, Mike-Dash-E does it all: he raps, directs, promotes, and manages artists. Originally from the Philippines, Mike now lives in Hercules, home of the razors and scooters. Em Dub got a chance to catch up with Mike at Revilo's studio and they chopped it up about how he got his name, the reason he got into hip-hop, his advice for independent artists, his upcoming album Dash-With-Me, his compilation Clap City mixtapes, and more. Mike also busted 2 dope acapellas for the camera. Find out more about Mike at mikedashe.com.

Episode 56: IAMSU!

2011-02-07T21:14:41Z

#NewBay! One of last year's Bay Area Freshmen 10, iamSu! is an HBK Gang representer and one of the leaders of the New Bay sound, with a couple hit songs on the radio in the last few months. He took a few minutes to chop it up with Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof and they talked about how he got his name, the HBK Gang, how he started producing, his latest mixtape Su! The Right Thing, and more!

Episode 55: MANTIS ONE

2011-01-31T18:20:19Z

Graffiti bomber, skateboarder and emcee, Mantis One represents the gritty side of San Francisco hip-hop. Raised in the Tenderloin, one of the the seediest sections in the city of fog, Mantis has been immersed in the culture since birth and has grown up with a hustlers mentality. An honest writer and a vicious freestyler, Mantis is also cursed with a rare disease that is slowly causing him to lose his vision, but that hasn't stopped him from continuing to perfect his sound. Em Dub had a chance to meet up with Mantis One over at his new studio in the Mission District, and they talked about how he got into hip-hop, the origin of his name, how where he lived affected his style, his latest album Don't Come Knockin Volume 1 and more. He also busted a dope verse and an ill off-the-top freestyle. Check out more of Mantis One's music at http://mantisoneskazone.bandcamp.com/!

Episode 54: DAVEED DIGGS

2011-01-24T18:48:35Z

Getback! A former poet and Shakespearean actor, Daveed Diggs has a style influenced by many but comparable to none. Spitting with a relaxed drawl on some tracks and flexing his million mile per hour mouthpiece on others, it's safe to say Daveed has been a student of the game for some time now. Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof got a chance to catch up with Daveed over in Oakland and they talked about the roots of his name, his crew the Getback, his upcoming album Small Things To A Giant, how he got into hip-hop, and more. He also blazed two fire acapellas.

Episode 53: TJ of 1ST PLACE

2011-01-17T18:58:06Z

Also known as Stressmatic of the legendary hyphy group The Federation, TJ is much more than your average hyphy rapper - in fact, nowadays it would be safer to say that he's a rockstar who happens to rap. Mixing guitar licks with 808s and rhymes about being broke, partying with white girls, having hangovers, and being rad, TJ and his group 1st Place have carved out a niche that most rappers are scared to go near. He took a few minutes to meet up with Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof over in Berkeley and talked about the origins of the name Stressmatic, what 1st Place is, his career as a mountain bike racer, and more. He even spits a couple verses acapella.

Episode 52: DJ RAH2K

2010-12-27T20:48:58Z

It's the Mixtape Mobb you putos! Founder of the Mixtape Mobb and a reputable street DJ himself, DJ Rah2k has been holding down the South Bay since the days of Beat Street. He took a few minutes to talk to Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof about how he started, the origins of the Mixtape Mobb, his upcoming album The Return Of The Bad Guy (coming February 14th), and more.

Episode 51: CATALYST

2010-12-20T21:47:09Z

Marin County stand up! Novato emcee Catalyst took a few minutes to talk to Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof about how he started rapping, the meaning of his name, how he usually makes a song, his free mixtape Cat's Life, and more.

Episode 50: DO D.A.T.

2010-12-13T20:13:15Z

Do Dat, Do Dat Do Do Dat Dat Dat! Ever since A Tribe Called Quest's Award Tour Oakland emcee Do D.A.T. has been doing dat with his crew The Attik and on his own, most recently with his Duke Ellington inspired solo album Oakland In Blue. He took a few minutes out of his day to meet up with Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof over in downtown Oakland and talked about a variety of topics, from how he got his name to how he developed his style to the originations of the new album to what's coming up for D.A.T. He also spit some dope raps acapella so peep the technique!

Episode 49: PLANE JANE

2010-12-06T19:24:31Z

"I'm a regular girl...but I'm a little bit flyer than most!" Repping Richmond, California, Plane Jane is anything but plain. A former basketball player, a proud mother, a community activist and a dope rapper in the Monsters Ink crew, Jane took a few minutes to meet up with Em Dub of Thizzler On The Roof in central Richmond and talked about how she got into hip-hop, the song that changed her life, her upcoming album Just Landed, and more. She also spit 2 fresh acapellas and gave a short tour of a small part of the Rich.