Out of the Bay Area comes powerhouse rapper, D-Shot. He’s cemented his status as the “Godfather of Independent Rap” with his numerous collaborative and solo album releases, numerous soundtrack appearances, and movie producing credits, and all the while, never once ceasing to push himself beyond his limits. Back in the 90s he joined forces with with his siblings E-40 and Suga-T and cousin B-Legit, the crew rapping together when they were younger around the ages of 6 and 8 creating songs in the backyard. The Click, with the support of their Uncle Saint Charles, soon made waves as a neighbourhood group, and with their “fast, street-style rap with street game”, their popularity soared, selling hundreds of thousands of units underground without traditional backing.
This was followed by a lucrative deal with Jive Records, seeing their popularity rise even higher. The group eventually started looking towards solo projects, and D-Shot released several well-charting albums and formed his own label, Shot Records. After a stint in movie production, D-Shot has returned to music, with a new album, packed tight full of crafty hooks and booming beats, repping the Bay Area rap scene with an absolute masterpiece.
New track, ‘Hot Water’ delves into topics of struggle and survival, themes too often faced on the streets. Originally produced by Cyda Lean, it fully came together as a collaboration, with contributions from Cyda Lean, Bleezo, and Turf Talk, each adding their perspective with hard-hitting bars, vivid storytelling and sharp wordplay. Deep bass and crisp snares create a mood that is both ominous and intense, with each verse and hook painting a striking picture of life in the Bay Area.
The music video for ‘Hot Water’, directed by Jae Synth, is more like a short film with its “street” feel. Shot in a friend’s auto dismantling business in Sacramento, California, it’s filled with gritty, dark imagery. A gorgeous 1957 Chevy Bel Air sets the tone right away, as D-Shot and Turf Talk, Cyda Lean, and Bleezo show us around their world. Creative pops of colour are paired with quick cuts, giving an incredible showcase of Bay Area culture, one that’s all its own, bold and unafraid to break the mould.
Check out the music video for ‘Hot Water’ below, and find out more about D-Shot online on Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify.
