Every dope smoker has had one of those moments where your dealer goes ghost, and you’re left fiending out for a fix with no one to call. Well, for Ya Boy’s latest heater, the Bay Area rock-star disregards that issue Read the rest of this entry »

Believe it or not, Ya Boy didn’t get signed to Akon’s newly-renamed Kon Live Records for his ability to drop intricate hip-hop records. Nope, as an artist known more for catering his craft towards music that makes money, the Bay Area warrior got inked up because he’s supposed to make crossover records that girls love and guys pretend to hate. Read the rest of this entry »

“Rich N Thuggin” was one of Glasses Malones’ Beach Cruiser’s singles that didn’t really have me sipping the Kool-Aid on its release. I gave it the typical couple courtesy plays but after that it just slipped underneath the endless river of new music that never stops flowing down from the ocean. Read the rest of this entry »

“Wiz turned the kids into some grass hypes
Only thing higher is the gas price
Can’t blame ‘em, rest of us preaching ave life
As if niggas on the ave really have life (really) Read the rest of this entry »

Ya Boy has a comfort zone, in more ways than one. Pick any of the Konvict rapper’s records and, more than likely, you’ll end up hearing well-delivered, grew-up-from-a-screw-up stories, depicting the come-up associated with his current 90210-esque lifestyle. Read the rest of this entry »

This was billed as the “DJ Paul flow everybody keeps asking for…that old Triple Six flow!” Enh, it’s not inaccurate but the money referenced in the song’s title means the Three 6 of old won’t be returning any time soon. I’ve found most of their music from the past few years to be heavily driven by a new formula and type bland. Read the rest of this entry »

When a hot prospect signs to a well-known artist’s imprint, a feature from said superstar for the ensuing talent’s first hit is assumed. When Ya Boy signed to Akon’s Konvict Music label in 2010, little did he know “Lock Down” was the song that would officially kick off his California Konvict LP and the next chapter his nearlydecade-long career. A perfect compliment to a cool breeze and some blazing haze, this blueprint for branching out finds the Bay Area bandit and his boss behind the wheel of a single that should keep convertibles topless, dubs thrown and the Kon Man happy with his investment.

It may only achieve regional success, but this what YB’s been waiting for.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

]

Ya Boy Feat. Akon – “Lock Down”

If you happen to be stuck in a potentially sticky situation this weekend, where you’re alone with two fine females who may or may not be open to new things, forget the hesitation and avoid being completely blatant, by playing Far East Movement’s new video for “2 Is Better.” Read the rest of this entry »

After a long hiatus, Ya Boy recently came back with “Come N Go,” in which he showed a new leaf. Where his emphasis was once limited to the freestyle, and the raw, unadulterated verse, he return is marked by full, well-crafted records with attention to the details of the entire package. Read the rest of this entry »

Ever since his days on Game’s once-promising Black Wallstreet imprint, Ya Boy has been an artist consistently on my radar. His whole career, this Bay Area/LA mainstay has displayed both consistent bars and a keen sense of crossover appeal that most rappers lack, which have kept his music in rotation and even earned him ink with Konvict Music. Read the rest of this entry »

Mainly because one is a hoax and the other actually takes place.

This summer, Planet Los Angeles will officially be the hotspot for live Hip-Hop because DJ Skee is ensuring that it is so with special editions of his Skeetox event series in June, July and August. Read the rest of this entry »

Just when you thought your wifey’s favorite DJ was only putting out pop-friendly mixtapes featuring Young Money millionaires, the Westcoast’s own DJ Ill Will recruits half the underground Cali rap scene for the Pac-sampling street single to his still-untitled, upcoming debut album. Read the rest of this entry »

You may not have heard of Mams Taylor but obviously he has more than enough industry co-signs to peak even the casual fans interest. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re a Crooked I stan like I am, today is a good day. Because we’ve been blessed 36 new broken bottle bars from the 213′s illest emcee. Read the rest of this entry »

New music from The OG Black Wall. Read the rest of this entry »