ONCE UPON A TIME IN SAN FRANCISCO, THERE WAS A VIBRANT HIP-HOP MUSIC SCENE with evolving sounds, such as the hyphy movement. IT FEATURED TALENTED MUSICIANS WHO NOT ONLY PLAYED IN CLUBS AND RECORDED IN STUDIOS BUT ALSO SOLD THEIR MUSIC ON THE CORNER OF HAIGHT/ASHBUry. MEET JEFF HENDERSON - ONE OF OUR TALENTED ARTISTS AT ZIP RECORDS. HE HAS BEEN SIGNED TO THE LABEL FOR WELL OVER A DECADE AND IS NOT ONLY A GENUINE TALENT, BUT ALSO A ROLE MODEL FOR independent hip-hop artists. IN THIS EPISODE OF UNZIPPED HE TELLS US ABOUT LIFE AS A HIPHOP ARTIST/PRODUCER IN SAN FRANCISCO AND HIS NEW PLANS WITH THE VENTURE “DkohtAries”
Q. What was the music scene like in the Bay Area?
The Bay Area has always had an eclectic and very good amount of talent when it comes to music. Legendary places like Hyde street studios where various artists came to record such as 2Pac , Green Day and Britney Spears to name a few. Besides that, the bay area has given the world Metalica, MC hammer, E-40, journey and con funk shun and Toni tone tony. When it came to hiphop in the bay area, there was never a "sound" or something unique that hiphop artists from the area could grab on to and represent. Not like the east coast or southern hip hop artists. We had rappers and groups with their own unique sound for sure, i.e. e40 , too short, mac dre, luniz and MC hammer, but never a unique and identifying sound. So when the Hyphy movement came around it definitely opened the eyes and ears of the bay area artists to the world because there was so much attention to this Hyphy "movement". Artists like "the federation", e40, rick rock (producer), mistah fab and keak da sneek were at the forefront of this sound. the best way to describe the Hyphy sound is if house/dance music formed a perfect union with underground club hiphop music; high energy, feel good club music.
Q.Can you mention some epic places on Haight St?
There are a bunch of epic places on Haight street but a few that come to mind that im sure are local favorites as well are Amoeba records, Milk bar and what used to be Trues.
Q. How did you get in touch with Zip Records?
15-16 years ago when I first dove into this crazy industry, I was very green and wet behind the ears, as any new comer would be. I remember going through the phone book and randomly calling record labels that were listed and asking if the people in charge had just 5-10 minutes of some spare time to sit down and talk about the music industry.....things like how to get started, what paper work I needed if any, what publishing was and who I should select, etc. The only person that gave me the time of day was Art Herman (Zip Records). He invited me to his downtown San Francisco office and the rest was history as they say. We instantly hit it off and he became a great mentor and even better friend.
Q. How was it like raising your son and at the same time pursuing music?
Raising my son as a single parent while trying to pursue music was definitely challenging at first, because I wanted to be the best father possible and give all my time and love to my son but of course still give my same love and attention to my passion which is music. For me, having family to help watch my son definitely during those evenings when I was networking, recording or performing helped me a lot. And when my son was old enough I would take him to the studios, or out to help pass out flyers throughout the city to promote.
Q. Can you share an epic story involving music on Haigh Street?
One of my good memories of Haight street is when we (my artists and label mates) performed at the milk bar. The show went so well. We promoted like crazy for that show and had a good amount of people attend. Great energy and vibes for sure that night, to the point we had the booking management asking us back and new fans sign up to our email list.
Q. Tell us more about your new plans with “Dakota Aries”? Where does the name come from?
DkohtAries comes from a couple things. One, the street I was born and raised on in San Francisco, which helped me develop into the person I’ve become. And two, my astrological sign. I wanted to create a name that had meaning and was personal to me and that i would be proud to represent.
Q. Who are you fav old & new Bay Area artists?
Some of my fav artists from past and present from the bay area are, e40, too short, journey, khelani, HER, green day, toni tony tone, mc hammer, G easy, and mac dre.
Q. Do you think indie music/ hiphop is still alive in San Francisco, Bay area?
I do believe and know that hip hop is still alive and well in the San Francisco Bay Area. Especially since venues are opened back up. There has been a lot of movement as far as shows and open mics for these artists.
Spotify playlist by Jeff / featuring his fav Bay Area artists
Photos and interview by Angela Slagt