Seiji Oda ft. LaRussell – peaceful²MusicLists5 artists that prove West Coast hip-hop is thriving right nowWith Kendrick Lamar’s GNX spotlighting LA’s underground gangsta rappers, and the Bay Area hyphy movement seeing rejuvenation with artists like Seiji Oda and LaRussell, we spotlight five artists pushing West Coast hip-hop back into the mainstreamShareLink copied ✔️December 6, 2024MusicListsTextSolomon Pace-McCarrick If Kendrick Lamar surprised listeners with the release of GNX late last month, then the second surprise was just how West Coast the whole thing sounded. With a laid-back, Moog synthesiser-driven groove on “hey now” and “squabble up”, not to mention Tupac homage track “reincarnated” which could’ve easily been produced for Makaveli himself, the project seemed geared to make lowriders everywhere bounce in unison. Moreover, in a move that was eerily predicted by late LA leading light Drakeo the Ruler, GNX also put on a number of relatively unknown artists pushing the West Coast’s set-banging gangsta rap culture forward. While “MUSTAAAARD” might have been the loudest moment on the project, the underlying message was that West Coast hip-hop is definitely back. And this isn’t just restricted to GNX, either. Heading slightly north to the Bay Area, we have this week’s release “Peaceful^2”, a landmark collaboration between hyphy culture revivalists Seiji Oda and LaRussell. More flamboyant and whimsical compared to their gangsta rap counterparts, yet equally influenced by the g-funk rhythms of the 90s, these rappers are paying homage to the shoulder-popping styles of Bay Area legends E-40 and Mac Dre. Far from the dark and menacing sonics emanating from hip hop’s birthplace on the East Coast, West Coast rap as a whole is recognisable for its brighter and more laid-back vibe (it’s amazing what a little bit of sun can do). Below, we spotlight five artists proving that West Coast hip-hop is without doubt thriving right now. LARUSSELL I dare you to find a rapper who is having more fun at the moment. From a recent Tiny Desk concert to a spate of collabs with Bay Area hall-of-famer P-Lo, LaRusell’s face seems to be everywhere, and never can it be caught without a giant grin. In many ways, the Vallejo, California-raised rapper epitomises everything Bay Area hip-hop stands for. It’s dynamic, tongue-in-cheek (“How rude! She spit out them unborn babies”), and infectiously whimsical. DODY6 Somehow managing to go toe-to-toe with undeniably the biggest rapper on the planet right now with his stellar verse on “hey now”, Dody6 has blown up following the release of GNX. He is also capitalising on this newfound fame well, with recent release “Walk Down” going back-to-back fellow GNX beneficiary Lefty Gunplay and referencing the infamous “crazy, scary, spooky, hilarious” refrain. With a clear penchant for dark piano stabs and an ear finely tuned to the bouncy pockets of gangsta rap, Dody6 is as LA as they come. SEIJI ODA It’s impossible to talk about a hyphy culture revival without mentioning the gentle gigg general himself. Where Bay Area legend E-40 was renowned for coining phrases like “go dumb” and “slap” (i.e. “this slaps”), Seiji Oda is embarking on his own quest for meaning-making, with terms like “gas break dip” and “aero” already becoming signatures in his releases. The Bay Area-raised rapper-producer is also notable for his eclectic infusions into the hyphy universe, with forays into lofi and Japanese city pop. LEFTY GUNPLAY If a city could have tattoos, then I imagine LA’s would look something like Lefty Gunplay’s. Known for delivering the “crazy, scary, spooky, hilarious” refrain on GNX banger “tv off”, the Latino rapper is a livewire on every release he appears on. His flows may be unpredictable, but his lyrics somehow manage to remain consistently triple x-rated. G PERICO Despite gracing beats that stretch far beyond the West Coast canon (see OG Perico banger “Billie Jean feat. Wiz Khalifa”) it’s the staccato, bounce-driven delivery that betrays his undeniable West Coast upbringing.