Could we be experiencing Hyphy Movement 2.0? I’m not sure. What I do know is that The Bay is in the media in a major way, just peep the Rock The Bells lineup and all of the damn remixes to “Function” and “Up.” Not to mention the mimicry of our sound… Anyway, this isn’t a post about the Bay’s influence on every freaking body, this is about Uncle Earl getting on a track with his son and a young dude out of LA to tell folks that they can “Catch a Fade.”

I grew up on 40 Water.  I still listen to Droop-E’s BLVCK Diamond Life mixtape, that’s made up of all Sade samples. And while Kendrick’s voice freaks me out sometimes (you’ve heard that song with Drake, right?), he’s super talented and widely regarded as the West Coast’s next big thing. Now we just hope that Dre doesn’t shelve him forever and a day. All that to say, I was quite excited to hit play on this track.

The thing that stood out most to me was this whole “where you from” call and response at the end of the song. The West? Really? Not Vallejo. Not The Bay. Not Cali. The West. It’s an interesting way to identify. Mainly because all images of The West are typically associated with Los Angeles, and I’m wondering if we’re getting to a space where The West can be all encompassing. Will a showing of coastal solidarity such as this actually transform the mental projections of how “The West” is envisioned by out-of-staters? Probably not, but it’s a valid movement.

Anywho, press play. The beat slaps, Kendrick gasses, 40 throws a few punches, and Cali comes correct.

Recognize The West or catch a fade.

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