#stephaniemendez

Published on July 14, 2017 by Stephanie Méndez

Sometimes with all the noise going on in our nation, and throughout the world, it’s necessary to make our own. 

*turn up the volume and hit play here*

Here in the Bay we really do dance, speak and carry ourselves a little different. This depicts where we're from without having to literally say it, and natives take pride in this heavily, on the daily.

I can only speak on the way I feel being here from the bay because that's all I personally know, but I know that others feel the same way with their respective hometown. There is specific lingo, dances, gestures, etc that exist within all the different states and coasts that are included in the playlist above. Representation branches directly off of an individual’s nationalism.

Within hip hop specifically, repping home is very common and numerous songs have hit the surface when it comes to praising one's turf. There are many areas within the states that I did not include, but the ones I did were either national hits or were discovered via second nature, as a result of being an avid hip hop lover. We all heavily believe the place we call home is the utmost best, and nothing and no other area is superior. This is unrealistic in a sense because we literally all feel that way with our respective hometown, which is fine, but obviously the Bay Area is superior ;-).

We all have an artist or multiple that we identify with as their music resonates with our hometown & provides us a source of pride. My goal was to pick tracks that I feel represent other stomping grounds around the nation, that I imagine give the fans in their respective community the same sense of pride Zion I's 'The Bay' provides baydrestrians with.

The sense of pride and dibs we have on an artist from our area before they are exposed to the hype, cultural appropriation, etc is something that we hold very dear and we are ready to clap back at anyone who we feel is disrespecting or taking away from the perfection that we see within them. Case and point, André Hicks aka Mac Dre. I think it's safe to say the majority of his true fans from this area are not and never will be okay with mainstream artists like Drake full on biting his lingo, lifestyle, and straight up lyrics. While some may see it as "putting us on," the reality is he is stealing and claiming it to be his own original style, and that will never be okay. Before I continue to digress and commence a rant on my strong dislike of Drake, let me refocus.

photo by @space_is_the_place

There are multiple motives that prompt artists to write a song about the place they call home. Whether it be a good or bad memory associated with one’s upbringing, sharing their reason for leaving, or merely having the desire to represent for the place that raised them, this is a way for artists to paint a picture for those who have perhaps never stepped foot on their soil.

Allow me to give you a glimpse of the sense of pride that Zion I gives me in listening to his anthem for the place I call home. We really do have a “hippy mentality” here because we are genuine, and have hospitality, kindness, and a sense of all for one, and one for all embedded in our DNA.  

“a place you probably don’t know” - since we are located in California, we are automatically overshadowed by the more well-known half of the state, Los Angeles County.

“from the West who was blessed with a soul” - this is controversial, but it is known for people from the Bay to be a lot more easygoing and inviting of both strangers and people who need assistance whether it be asking for directions, a good place to eat, or in the job context, networking.

“Panthers and hippies” - two historic and major components that are instantly thought of when San Francisco is mentioned, but that naturally are not ALL that we are made up of or known for.

“Sideshows” - Originated here in the 80’s (in case you don’t believe me: https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2015/08/18/sideshows-the-birth-of-oaklands-hyphy-culture/), and have only gotten larger and more a part of the everyday Bay culture, being as it is just another component we hold here that invites anyone and everyone to be a part of, feel welcomed, and like they belong.

This is the Bay Area. This is where I’m from. Anytime I hear about these things mentioned above, I know it is stemmed from this place. The sense of representation that I feel when I hear this anthem speaks louder than I could about any current presidential climate. Using Drake as a parallel, we don’t want nor need some clown speaking on behalf of where I’m from. I know that it is WE as individual communities, and the love we have for where we stay, that can ACTUALLY make America great again. Representation is important to carry around with us always because it helps us stay grounded in our values and beliefs that are rooted within us via our respective collective. The way that this song makes me feel, I know gives the same to others in their place within the nation.

No matter how loud the noise gets from the sh*tty state of the world, I know I have my little hyphy place on the globe.