"The Story of Mistah F.A.B.: Loyalty, Hyphy, and Representing North Oakland

In a candid interview with Dregs One for the History of the Bay podcast, Bay Area icon Mistah F.A.B. opened up about his journey in music, community, and culture. The interview covered Mistah F.A.B.'s rise from a fan of the Bay Area hip-hop scene to becoming one of its foundational figures. He shared insight into his upbringing, the artists who influenced him, and the lessons he learned along the way. Here are some of the key takeaways from their conversation.

Mistah F.A.B.'s Role in Bay Area Music and Culture

Mistah F.A.B. is widely recognized not just for his musical contributions, but also for his community work and dedication to preserving the culture of the Bay Area. He started as a fan and participant, ultimately becoming an irreplaceable element of the region's hip-hop scene. “I don’t think that I’ll ever stop being a fan,” F.A.B. said. He emphasized the importance of being a part of the culture while also remembering to uplift and appreciate the rich history of Bay Area hip-hop.

Influence of Past Artists and Paying Respect

In a music scene that often values the next big thing over the legacy of its pioneers, Mistah F.A.B. is vocal about honoring those who paved the way. He spoke passionately about his influences and the need to pay homage to the artists who came before him. “A gold medal in 1968 is still a gold medal today,” F.A.B. said, quoting rapper Bathgate. He elaborated on how important it is not to forget those who laid the foundation for others, even after their popularity has waned. He pointed out that while the industry may move on, the contributions of the earlier generations remain invaluable.

Importance of Telling His Own Story

During the conversation, F.A.B. stressed the importance of self-representation and being in control of his own narrative. “When writing your story, never relinquish the pen,” he said, a sentiment that speaks to the struggle artists face when dealing with media and outside narratives. Mistah F.A.B. explained that by telling his own story, he ensures that it’s rooted in truth, not distorted by others' perspectives or journalistic agendas.

Family Background and Childhood

Mistah F.A.B. also spoke about his upbringing, detailing the significant influence his parents had on his ife. His father, described as a “fly dude,” was intelligent, talented, and involved in various pursuits, while his mother was a hustler who broke free from an abusive environment at a young age. She instilled in him the drive to succeed and provided for him even in challenging times. Mistah F.A.B. referred to himself as “ghetto spoiled,” crediting his mother for working multiple jobs and even hustling to make sure he had what he needed. This kept him from getting involved in negative activities like many of his peers.

“My mom did everything she could so I didn’t have to go down the road to feel accepted,” he said. “Most of my homies started hustling for Jordans... but I already had those things.” His mother’s sacrifices kept him out of the street life, allowing him to focus on his passion for music.

Choosing a Different Path

Mistah F.A.B. shared how, unlike many of his family members who ended up in prison, he chose a different route. His father and brother both spent time incarcerated, and his brother, in particular, encouraged him to avoid the same fate. "My brother did enough time for me,” he explained, adding that his brother’s stories from prison played a major role in deterring him from that life. Even from behind bars, his brother influenced him, saying, "You don’t want to come up here, this ain’t it."

North Oakland and Its Influence

Proud of his North Oakland roots, Mistah F.A.B. highlighted the impact of growing up in a neighborhood that often doesn’t receive the same recognition as other parts of Oakland. He mentioned the local artists who inspired him, like the B.U.M.S. and E-Vocalist, and explained how their influence drove him to represent North Oakland and prove that his neighborhood was just as much a part of the Bay Area’s cultural fabric.

“North Oakland gets left out when people think of Oakland,” F.A.B. said. “People mostly think of East Oakland or West Oakland, but the North has history too.” He spoke of how the pride in his neighborhood fueled his desire to succeed, even without a major cosign or backing from bigger names.

Early Career and Entrepreneurial Spirit

Mistah F.A.B. recounted his early days of rapping and recording in high school. He and his friends would sell tapes to classmates, building a fan base organically. He credited his early popularity to his group’s charisma and their ability to hustle their music. “We were already popular in school just because we played sports and were the pretty boys,” F.A.B. laughed. “Selling tapes was easy—they wanted to know what we had going on.”

After receiving some money from his father's estate, F.A.B. invested in his music career, using it for studio time and self-releasing his first projects. He linked up with Gary Archer and Jazzy Jim, two influential figures in the Bay Area music scene, who believed in his talent and helped him get his music to a wider audience.

Collaboration with Key Figures

Mistah F.A.B. spoke about his connection to Mac Dre, facilitated by his cousin N.O., who was managing Dre at the time. Mac Dre saw F.A.B. in a documentary and was struck by his personality. “Your personality is crazy,” Mac Dre told him, leading to their eventual collaboration. F.A.B. described the relationship as one based on loyalty and mutual respect rather than contracts or formal agreements.

Mac Dre and Thizz Entertainment

Joining Mac Dre’s Thizz Entertainment was a turning point in F.A.B.'s career. He recalled how Mac Dre was focused on making everyone around him shine. “Dre wanted everybody to shine,” he said. “If we pulled up 100 deep, it was 100 Benzes. He wanted us all to look good.” Mistah F.A.B. explained how Mac Dre’s inclusive approach helped create a platform for many artists and fostered a sense of unity in the Bay Area music scene.

“Super Sick Wid It” and Connection to E-40

One of the significant moments in Mistah F.A.B.'s career was his collaboration with E-40 on the song “Super Sick Wid It.” Despite underlying tensions between different Bay Area factions at the time, the collaboration proved successful, helping both artists expand their reach. “That ended up being the song of the summer,” F.A.B. said, noting how it boosted his career while also giving E-40 a new visibility. The song became part of the soundtrack to the hyphy movement, cementing Mistah F.A.B.'s place in Bay Area history.

Son of a Pimp Album

F.A.B. talked about his second album, “Son of a Pimp,” which charted on Billboard and received more attention compared to his debut. The album helped establish his reputation and introduced him to a wider audience. It featured a mix of styles, reflecting his versatility. “Son of a Pimp wasn’t a hyphy album,” he pointed out. “It was well put together with different influences. It showed I could do more than just hyphy.”

Freestyle and Backpack Rap Influence

Another highlight of the interview was Mistah F.A.B.’s experience on the Wake Up Show hosted by Sway and Tech. He shared how he learned about the industry’s version of freestyling, which was more about prepared verses than off-the-head raps. This experience led to him working with Kanye West, who produced a track for “Son of a Pimp.” “Kanye made the backpack rappers cool for my generation,” F.A.B. said, emphasizing how artists like Kanye inspired him to embrace both lyricism and style.

North Oakland Identity

Throughout the interview, Mistah F.A.B. made it clear that his North Oakland roots are integral to his identity. He expressed pride in the neighborhood that shaped him and the artists who came from there. He’s worked tirelessly to bring more recognition to North Oakland, ensuring that its contributions to Bay Area culture are not forgotten.

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