Turf Talk
Encyclopedia
Turf Talk is a Bay Area rapper at the forefront of the hyphy
movement. His unique style of delivery has earned both local and national acclaim. Turf Talk is the protégé and cousin of platinum-selling Bay Area pioneer and legend E-40
, and is signed to his mentor's Sick Wid It
/30/30 Records.
that he "came from living in hotel rooms.. for four to five years". The rapper returned to Vallejo (in the Bay Area) in 1999 to pursue his career under cousin E-40.
Turf Talk quotes his influences as "E-40 and The Click
, Too $hort, and then The Dangerous Crew
, and Mac Mall
."
-aired E-40 track "Gasoline", B-side to the single "One Night Stand".
Turf Talk would go on to appear in three tracks on E-40's 2003 album Breakin News
as well as cement his growing reputation in the Bay Area's new movement by guesting in style on the official remix to The Federation
's seminal hit "Hyphy".
In 2004 Turf Talk released his highly anticipated debut album The Street Novelist featuring his mentor E-40, The Federation and a range of Sick Wid It Records' artists. The CD included the Rick Rock
-produced smash "It's Ah Slumper" and one of the final guest appearances of Mac Dre
.
In 2005 Turf Talk released Turf Talk Brings The Hood: Colabilation part album, part compilation of tracks recorded with both long-time and up-and-coming Sick Wid It Records collaborators. The CD included the popular local hit "Turf Talk Iz Back".
In the early hours of July 14, 2005, Turf Talk suffered several shots to the face from a low caliber pellet shotgun, after being apparently targeted leaving a recording studio in Vallejo. He was treated at the Sutter Solano Medical Center and made a quick and full recovery.
On July 30, 2005 at the San Francisco Masonic Center, Turf Talk was announced as New Artist (Rookie) of The Year 2005 in the inaugural Bay Area Rap Scene (B.A.R.S.) Awards. He beat strong competition from both Mistah F.A.B.
and Ya Boy
.
Boosted by the signing of mentor E-40 to Lil Jon
's multi-platinum BME
/Warner imprint, Turf Talk announced plans to release his new studio album West Coast Vaccine: The Cure in 2006, featuring almost exclusive production by rap heavyweights Rick Rock and Lil Jon. The CD was delayed to early 2007.
In 2006 Turf Talk secured further exposure by appearing on E-40's BME debut and Billboard 200
success story My Ghetto Report Card
as well as MTV's Hyphy music insight My Block: The Bay. His influence on the Hyphy movement was featured in Hip Hop magazines The Source and XXL
.
In the summer of 2006 Turf Talk extended his cross-genre, national and international reputation after being invited to feature on the DJ Shadow
Hyphy-influenced new release 3 Freaks. This led to an MTV music video alongside Keak Da Sneak
, as well as a supporting role in a tour of Europe and Japan.
The tour climaxed with a performance in front of over 25,000 at the Wireless Festival
in London
's Hyde Park
on June 23. Turf Talk appeared alongside Bay Area emcees Mistah F.A.B.
and Nump, in a line-up which included Massive Attack
, Pharrell, Gnarls Barkley
and Damian Marley
.
The rapper himself ascribes his fast-changing flow to building a character for his listeners, complete with ad-libs
, and to developing a range of marketable styles. "I'm always thinking about new ways to rap on different beats and new sounds, just something different to the human ear."
Hyphy
The word hyphy is Conor Devlin's preferred short word meaning "hyperactive." It was created by Bay Area rapper Keak Da Sneak when he used the term on an album he recorded in 1994. From the USA Today article: "Every record label was getting at us at that time, but we fumbled the ball," says E-40,...
movement. His unique style of delivery has earned both local and national acclaim. Turf Talk is the protégé and cousin of platinum-selling Bay Area pioneer and legend E-40
E-40
Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...
, and is signed to his mentor's Sick Wid It
Sick Wid It Records
Sick Wid It Records is a United States based hip hop record label owned and founded by rapper E-40.- Current artists :*B-Slimm*Big Omeezy*E-40*Laroo 'The Hard Hitta'*DB'z *Issue*Droop-E*Nump*Turf Talk*Cousin Fik- Former artists :...
/30/30 Records.
Growing Up
Turf Talk told UK-based rap periodical Hip Hop ConnectionHip Hop Connection
Hip Hop Connection is the longest running monthly periodical devoted entirely to hip hop culture. HHC has earned international recognition and was described by Chuck D as "the best magazine in the world".-History:...
that he "came from living in hotel rooms.. for four to five years". The rapper returned to Vallejo (in the Bay Area) in 1999 to pursue his career under cousin E-40.
Turf Talk quotes his influences as "E-40 and The Click
The Click
The Click is a hip hop group consisting of 4 members from Vallejo, California. The groups members are E-40 , his cousin B-Legit , his brother D-Shot , and his sister Suga-T...
, Too $hort, and then The Dangerous Crew
The Dangerous Crew
The Dangerous Crew is a rap group formed by Oakland, California rapper Too Short. They were introduced to the masses in 1992 on the Shorty the Pimp album...
, and Mac Mall
Mac Mall
Mac Mall, is a West Coast rapper who became known in the mid/late 1990s, as one of the local artists putting the Bay Area on the hip hop map. Mac Mall was signed to Young Black Brotha Records....
."
Career
Originally rapping under the name Killa Kane, Turf Talk would first appear alongside Mac Shawn, another younger cousin of E-40, on the compilation CD Worldwide Bosses & Playas in 2001. His breakthrough came in 2003 performing the hook for the MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
-aired E-40 track "Gasoline", B-side to the single "One Night Stand".
Turf Talk would go on to appear in three tracks on E-40's 2003 album Breakin News
Breakin News
Breakin' News is an E-40 album released on July 1, 2003, on Sick Wid It and Jive Records. Soundscan reported that the album sold 50,000 copies in its first week on shelves.The song "Act A Ass" featured in the film "Be Cool" .-Track listing:...
as well as cement his growing reputation in the Bay Area's new movement by guesting in style on the official remix to The Federation
The Federation (band)
The Federation is a hip-hop group from Fairfield, California, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. The group consist of Doonie Baby , Stressmatic, and Goldie Gold, along with their producer Rick Rock...
's seminal hit "Hyphy".
In 2004 Turf Talk released his highly anticipated debut album The Street Novelist featuring his mentor E-40, The Federation and a range of Sick Wid It Records' artists. The CD included the Rick Rock
Rick Rock
Rick Rock is a hip-hop music producer from the Bay Area.-Albums with Rick Rock production:*1996: All Eyez on Me by 2Pac*1996: Tha Hall of Game by E-40*1996: Seasoned Veteran by Richie Rich...
-produced smash "It's Ah Slumper" and one of the final guest appearances of Mac Dre
Mac Dre
Andre Hicks , better known by his stage name Mac Dre, was an American rapper.-Biography:Andre Hicks was born in Oakland, California but moved to Vallejo while still a child...
.
In 2005 Turf Talk released Turf Talk Brings The Hood: Colabilation part album, part compilation of tracks recorded with both long-time and up-and-coming Sick Wid It Records collaborators. The CD included the popular local hit "Turf Talk Iz Back".
In the early hours of July 14, 2005, Turf Talk suffered several shots to the face from a low caliber pellet shotgun, after being apparently targeted leaving a recording studio in Vallejo. He was treated at the Sutter Solano Medical Center and made a quick and full recovery.
On July 30, 2005 at the San Francisco Masonic Center, Turf Talk was announced as New Artist (Rookie) of The Year 2005 in the inaugural Bay Area Rap Scene (B.A.R.S.) Awards. He beat strong competition from both Mistah F.A.B.
Mistah F.A.B.
Stanley Petey Cox , better known by his stage name Mistah F.A.B. , is an American rapper. He attended Oakland Technical High School and Emery High School. He is signed to Bay Area rap legend Mac Dre's label, Thizz Entertainment and Atlantic Records. Mistah F.A.B...
and Ya Boy
Ya Boy
William Joseph Crawford , better known by his stage name Ya Boy, is an American rapper from the Fillmore District, San Francisco. He is a younger cousin of San Francisco rapper San Quinn and also the cousin of Bills WR Steve Johnson. Crawford graduated from El Camino High School in South San...
.
Boosted by the signing of mentor E-40 to Lil Jon
Lil Jon
Jonathan Mortimer Smith , better known by his stage name Lil Jon, is an American rapper, music producer, entrepreneur, and occasional disc jockey who was a member of the group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. Lil Jon formed the group in 1997, and the group released several albums between then and 2004...
's multi-platinum BME
BME Recordings
BME Recordings is an American record label founded by Lil Jon, Rob Mac, Emperor Searcy, and Vince Phillips Warner Bros. Records is the distributor for BME recordings...
/Warner imprint, Turf Talk announced plans to release his new studio album West Coast Vaccine: The Cure in 2006, featuring almost exclusive production by rap heavyweights Rick Rock and Lil Jon. The CD was delayed to early 2007.
In 2006 Turf Talk secured further exposure by appearing on E-40's BME debut and Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
success story My Ghetto Report Card
My Ghetto Report Card
-Album chart positions:...
as well as MTV's Hyphy music insight My Block: The Bay. His influence on the Hyphy movement was featured in Hip Hop magazines The Source and XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
.
In the summer of 2006 Turf Talk extended his cross-genre, national and international reputation after being invited to feature on the DJ Shadow
DJ Shadow
Joshua Paul Davis better known as DJ Shadow is an American music producer, DJ and songwriter. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of instrumental hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album Endtroducing....., which was constructed...
Hyphy-influenced new release 3 Freaks. This led to an MTV music video alongside Keak Da Sneak
Keak Da Sneak
Charles Toby Bowens , commonly known by his stage name Keak da Sneak, is a rapper from Oakland, California . At the age of 16 he was known as Z-Kush but became known as "Keak da Sneak" at 17, best known for his scratchy, gruff rapping voice and coining the term "hyphy" in 1994.-Career:Keak da Sneak...
, as well as a supporting role in a tour of Europe and Japan.
The tour climaxed with a performance in front of over 25,000 at the Wireless Festival
Wireless Festival
The Wireless Festival is a music festival in England that takes place every year in Hyde Park, London, and took place at Harewood House, Leeds in 2006 and 2007. It is owned and managed by Live Nation....
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
on June 23. Turf Talk appeared alongside Bay Area emcees Mistah F.A.B.
Mistah F.A.B.
Stanley Petey Cox , better known by his stage name Mistah F.A.B. , is an American rapper. He attended Oakland Technical High School and Emery High School. He is signed to Bay Area rap legend Mac Dre's label, Thizz Entertainment and Atlantic Records. Mistah F.A.B...
and Nump, in a line-up which included Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
, Pharrell, Gnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley is an American soul duo comprising Danger Mouse and Cee Lo Green. Their first studio album St. Elsewhere was released in 2006; along with its first single "Crazy". Both single and album were a major commercial success and have been noted for their large sales by download...
and Damian Marley
Damian Marley
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
.
Style
Turf Talk's unusual delivery is an important part of his act. The self-styled "devastating mouthpiece", he combines a distinctive drawl with fierce interjections using multi-track recording. The New York Times said "he has a high, pinched voice, less cartoonish than his cousin (E-40) and more ferocious".The rapper himself ascribes his fast-changing flow to building a character for his listeners, complete with ad-libs
Ad-Libs
Ad-Libs is an improvisational comedy troupe based in Dallas, Texas. Combining improvisation along with video segments, Ad-Libs was conceived by Phil Larsson in 1986...
, and to developing a range of marketable styles. "I'm always thinking about new ways to rap on different beats and new sounds, just something different to the human ear."
Albums
- 2004: The Street Novelist
- 2005: Turf Talk Brings The Hood Colabilation
- 2007: West Coast Vaccine: The CureWest Coast Vaccine: The CureThe West Coast Vaccine is the second studio album by Vallejo, California rapper Turf Talk. With his older cousin E-40 signed to Lil Jon's BME imprint, it was believed that Jon would produce Turf's second record but when the tracklist was released, it was apparent that would not be so...
- 2007: Hyphy Ain't Dead (with Mistah F.A.B.)
- 2010: "The Return Of The Jedi(Street Album)
- 2010: "Thug Therapy"
- 2011: "Turf-Talk Brings The Hood Colabilation 2
- 2011: Turf Sinatra (January 6, www.rapbay.com)
Guest appearances
- 2001: "Worldwide Bossin We Be Flossin" (Mac Shawn feat. Turf Talk as Killa Kane)
- 2003: "Gasoline" (E-40 feat. Turf Talk)
- 2003: "Hyphy (Remix)" (The Federation feat. Turf Talk)
- 2006: "Muscle Cars" (E-40 feat. Turf Talk & Keak Da Sneak)
- 2006: "3 Freaks" (DJ Shadow feat. Turf Talk & Keak Da Sneak)
- 2008: "Got Rich Twice" (E-40 feat. Turf Talk)
- 2008: "Hustle" (E-40 feat. Rock CityRock CityRock City is a roadside attraction near Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Lookout Mountain in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, located near Ruby Falls. It is well-known for the many barn advertisements throughout the Southeast and Midwest United States that have the slogan "See Rock City" painted on barn roofs...
& Turf Talk) - 2010: "I'm Gone" (Lazer Sword feat. Turf Talk)
- 2012: "The Chicken Hill Project"(prod by Hallway ProductionzHallway ProductionzHallway Productionz is a 2x Grammy Award Nominated, Dove Award winning production duo made up of Teak "Tha Beatsmith" and Dee Underdue. The pair reside in Stockton, California. Teak and Dee's production is most notably featured on Ice Cube, WC & T-Bone records....