We Were Hyphy Documentary Film

We Were Hyphy is a music documentary and love song to the artists and the people of the Hyphy movement. The film is a fun, nostalgic experience for those lucky enough to experience Hyphy the first time around, and a tantalizing introduction to those discovering it now.

 

The documentary examines Hyphy culture through the eyes of the artists who created the iconic sound and the residents who grew up under its charismatic spell. It explores Too $hort's early sound pioneering and describes how famous Bay Area hyphy artists like E-40, Mac Dre, Traxamillion, and Rick Rock, created distinct yet artistically united Hyphy soundtracks. 

The filmmakers interview artists like G-Eazy and Kamaiyah alongside journalists, industry professionals, and other local legends. They talk to the movement's originators, like Nump, Rick Rock, and Mistah F.A.B., and the younger artists who inherited their legacy, including Droop-E, G-Eazy, and Kamaiyah. 

Director Laurence Madrigal describes Hyphy as a "testament to the power of the community" and explores how an underground Bay Area movement grew into a full-blown cultural scene. Hyphy is a path to joy and liberation.

We Were Hyphy screened at the Oakland International Film Festival on Wednesday, September 21st, 2022.

Oaklandish is proud to partner with the film's producers to create a unique tee inspired by the E-40s iconic "Tell Me When to Go" music video, shot in black and white. The t-shirt mirrors the video's black and white motif, featuring 'We Were Hyphy' in bold text containing images of Oakland's iconic 16th Street Train Station.  

Proceeds from the sale of this tee will benefit Youth Uprising, a neighborhood hub that offers services and programs to young people in East Oakland. 

Follow on Instagram > @wewerehyphy

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