You may not know
D-Animals' name (yet), but you definitely know his music. San Francisco is often overlooked when it comes to hip-hop, but Animals has been doing the city by the Bay proud for years. In addition to producing music for MTV shows like "True-Life", "Made" and more, Animals has been a staple in the Bay Area hip-hop scene, most recently contributing three beats to E-40's epic "Revenue Retrievin" album (ex ("
Knock Em Down Music", "
Fuck You Right" and "
All I Need"). In this edition of our
My City series, Animals sits down to talk about why Frisco doesn't get the attention it deserves, what defines the Bay Area sound and what he's doing to give back to the community that raised him.
RefinedHype: Nationally San Francisco doesn't get as much attention as it's Bay Area compatriots like Oakland and Vallejo. Why do you think that is?
D-Animals: I think San Francisco gets overlooked because don't have a set style to be paid attention too. There is so much talent in my city that goes unseen and most of our talent loves the underground scene. San Francisco is still known for it's Mob Music(Not Radio Friendly). Due to that regard, we don't get a lot of radio play. I guess that's my strong point in being a producer. I don't have a set style and I can produce underground as well as commercial hits.
RefinedHype: You produced three tracks of E-40's new album Revenue Retrievin. Sonically, what defines the Bay Area's sound?
D-Animals: Yes, I did produce 3 for Unc 40's album. It was an honor to work with him. I grew up on E-40 spittin' over Rick Rock Beats. Bay Area sound is defined as "Slap." A lot of 808's and fast pace percussion(Hyphy). Through my production I'm looking to bring back that traditional music sound. My tracks consist of melodic chords and infused music thoery arrangements, as well as heavy drums.
RefinedHype: What about your city inspires you?
D-Animals: Everything about my city inspires me. From the urban to suburban areas. I grew up in the outer mission where there was all types of nationalities and beliefs around. San Francisco is like a mini New York in that regard. You can walk downtown and be inspired by anything.
RefinedHype: If I'm rolling through San Francisco where can I find you?
D-Animals: If you're rolling through Frisco, CA you can find me in the outer mission. I also teach kids pre-production in that area at a Boys and Girls Club. Just my give back to the community.
RefinedHype: Last words? Shout outs? Confessions?
D-Animals: Shoutouts to Big Rich (Go pick up "Heart Of The City" "Guns and Roses"), E-40 (Go pick up "Revenue Retrieving Day and Night Shift" and all of E-40's other albums), Amir (Dopest Connect), Savenue Records family and the whole 3 Story Gang crew as well as Front Office Media Group. I'm working on a lot of material and also graduating in a month with a B.A. in Applied Science towards Sound Arts. I've been producing since I was 11 and I have a true passion for this art. Expect me
