When the hip-hop culture was still in its early stages of development in the Bronx, the music was simple, rhythmic, refreshing and rapper’s lyrics contained an unbelievable amount of aesthetic skill. Fast forward to the 21st century and hip-hop has become a mélange of artistry, commerciality, feuds, blings, pop culture, big business and most of all, a cornucopia of sub-genres. Apparently, the hottest commodity of these many sub-genres is the Bay Area-based “Hyphy Movement.”

The head honcho and inevitable “Godfather” of this movement is Bay Area’s own E40. He has been driving this hip-hop vehicle from the get go. At first, the concept of hyphy was nearly a blip on hip-hop’s radar. Now, with the hard work of E-40, hyphy has invaded the scene. Even so, it was his fellow cohort, Keak da Sneak, that first coined the term “hyphy” in 1997 in 3X Krazy’s song, “Stackin’ Chips.” Also included in this hyphy mix is rapping legend and Bay Area native, Mac Dre. He worked alongside E-40 from time to time and contributed a considerable amount of fuel to the hyphy movement.

In late 2004, Mac Dre was murdered in Kansas City in an unfortunate shoot out. Without a doubt, his work for the Bay Area hip-hop scene did not die in vain. Now, in 2006, the hyphy movement is in full bloom and can be considered a subtle homage to the late rapper.

Ever since Keak spouted the catchy word and Mac Dre’s untimely death, the movement has slowly grown into a term of multi-faceted proportions. As a combination of the words “hyper” and “fly,” the term, in its raw vocabulary form is used as a universal form of slang. In a more automotive way, hyphy refers to a way of wild, directionless driving. In its third form, it is a dance that has one doing inexplicable erratic movements, therefore “goin’ dumb.” But most of all, hyphy is a Bay Area culture that is spreading throughout the nation like wildfire. Houston served as an epicenter for chop and screw music, the dirty south got “crunk” with it and the ATL is making waves with its leanin’, rockin’ and snappin’; but what exactly sets this whole “Hyphy Movement” apart from all those other forms of hip-hop. Sure, the Bay Area has been using the term lightly for years, but is this just another fad that will lose its novelty and get as irritating as the monotonous genre of reggaeton?

Many would definitely argue hyphy is just a fad. As far as being monotonous, the movement has the potential to become dull. Hyphy-ites and its followers need to keep it interesting in order for it to become something that will last long. Reigning right above E-40’s Godfather status on the hyphy-hierarchy is Rick Rock, the undisputed king of the movement. His viewpoint on the matter exudes a healthy amount of faith in the direction of hyphy, "It's like back in the day with the breakdancing, it's evolved into a culture," says Rock to MTV. "It's like the new generation, the crack-baby era: the dreadlocks shaking, riding with all four doors open. It's how the kids are feeling these days. There was a time when northern California [music] was more mild and slow and laid-back. I came and brought this super-fast hyphy sound. I put the music to the culture." Read More...