Drewbyrd - fast money (feat. DaBoii & 22nd Jim) | cool songs (and how i found em) #13
bay area rap + house beats
It’s been a good few weeks for Bay Area rap. A few days ago, E-40 dropped a Tiny Desk Concert covering everything from 90s classics through the hyphy era and beyond. Last month, seiji oda released his debut album which includes a blissed out re-interpretation of the Trunk Boiz classic “Cupcake No Fillin.” And Squadda B continues producing left-of-center slaps like this one from Bruiser Wolf’s latest album.
In the midst of my Bay Area YouTube rabbit hole, I came across “fast money” which features DaBoii, former member of the Vallejo (also E-40’s hometown) super-group SOBxRBE. When I see his name, I click. I was pleasantly surprised to hear a house beat fade in and it’s all uphill from there. DaBoii slides effortlessly on the beat and 22ndJim’s (fka Offset Jim) signature laid-back flow provides the perfect contrast to complete the track. The fusion of house and hip-hop is something I’m always seeking out. Throwing the Bay Area flare on top of that seals the deal.
I hadn’t heard of the producer Drewbyrd but was able to find an old interview and, although he’s originally from the Bay, sounds like he’s been based in LA for a while and came up as a DJ / producer for Dom Kennedy. It makes sense that this beat came from a DJ’s perspective. When I was in college, I always had this idea of making a full mixtape of Mac Dre dance edits. Perhaps Drewbyrd is the man for that job.
The Bay is calling!!
