When we debuted The Bay Abridged mixtape and told folks it would be a monthly series, there was excitement and confusion. "I love the June edition," stated one Oakland native, "but is there really enough quality Bay music for you guys to keep this up?" Our answer is a resounding, yes. Our music scene is thriving. Artists are putting in countless hours in the studio, recording videos, performing and doing interviews. See for yourself.

Mixtapes and Albums

Moe Green's Rocky Maivia: Non Title Match

Vallejo's Moe Green has been on our radar for a while now. We've been anticipating a dope album with a distinct style, laid back vibe, and nice delivery, and on his debut album Rocky Maivia: Non Title Match, Mr. Green does not let us down.

Coming from a city renowned for producing true originals (Mac Dre, E-40 and Sly Stone), the Vallejo native shrugs off the ostentatious personas of his V-Town forefathers and carries the torch in his own direction. Relaxed on wax and off, the jolly Green giant is affable but able- crafting memorable rhymes over subdued vibes and soothing synths.

DL: Rocky Maivia: Non Title Match by Moe Green

GQ: The Blended 2 Mixtape

In March, the Oakland Tech Bulldog and UNC alum known by most for his skills on the basketball court dropped his first mixtape Blended, and showed us why he got the 9th Wonder co-sign. With Blended 2 he's out to prove that one: this rapping thing is not a hobby and two: no matter what the game, he's out to win.

The witty punchlines are still there. GQ's unique flow and voice are still in tact. And he still rips the hell out of industry beats. But the Oakland native has added a few more folks to the team in hopes of pushing the project to another level.

DL: Blended 2 by GQ

RyanNicole: Dis'onance - Vol. 1

Dis'onance - Vol. 1 is the first mixtape in a series courtesy of Oakland's RyanNicole. The MC/Actress/Model/Non-Profit Executive Director has presented us with nine tracks to vibe to, rock to, and reflect upon. And she's good. Not like "oh you're good for a girl" type good, but like "I need you in this cypher" good. Positioning herself as the underdog, Ms. Niole is more of the show and prove type than the spotlight seeking diva. She lets her music speak for itself, because she can.

DL: Dis'onance - Vol. 1 by RyanNicole

The Visuals

We recently featured The Freshmen's summer record, "Dreamin' California" on 38th Notes's The Bay Abridged mixtape. Here they crown those sentiments of summer with a new ode to beaches and the tranquil party life. Mike Ho's direction is cheeky but well-orchestrated over an Austin Powers-ish beat. Kristos and A-Wolf bob and weave as guest vocalist Nio The Gift breaks out his smooth singing voice for the summer... more

For those of us who have loved and lost, we know that there are moments where we crumble- moments where the pain is raw and unrelenting all over again. I.V.A.N.'s new video "Suddenly" conjures that hurt and channels it into a bitter ode to love and love lost. When he awakes to an empty bed, we are reminded of London's plight in the video for "Back To The Way," and perhaps even lonely gray mornings of our own...more

But wait, there's more...

If you head over to 38th Notes, you can download new songs and a mixtape from Bay  Area Freshmen 10 member IAMSU! Find out who GQ is talking about when he mentions E-Team and get music from his upcoming mixtape with ST Spittin, Double Jeopardy. You can also check out new Vell4Short and London, catch-up with Los Rakas, see the lastest from The Cataracs, watch J. DaVinci's "Concrete Jungle Juice," and learn about Droop- E partnership with BLVCK SCVLE.

And don't forget to checkout our featured events section in the sidebar.