Bavgate.

ASTRONOMICAL REAL ESTATE RATES in the Bay Area indicate that everyone and their mother wants to move here. Is it the weather?. The dazzling views? Fresh cracked crab? Whatever the luck it may be, it hasn't helped local rap artists accumulate platinum-worthy record sales. Is the influx of outsiders leading to the dilution of Bay Area culture? Are local black communities being marginalized as they find themselves unable to afford their childhood neighborhoods? Oakland rap legend Bavgate talks about the frustration of being a gold record artist stifled by his own home turf. Why aren't local rappers Thizzle Dancin' atop the worldwide stage? Surely this fertile land of innovation is more than capable. Is it because those who are born in the Bay are moving away, while the outsiders choose to stay?

Let's hear an intro.

Bavgate, reppin' Oakland, my 'hood Ghost Town, the 3100 block, all of California, the West Coast. I came up a while back, toured with Snoop, worked with Masta P. I left the scene for a minute, but now I'm back in the game. In my latest album, Tha Instagator, I got appearances by Mac Dre, Juvenile, Game, and production from LJ and Dr Dre.

Did you hook up with Masta P when you were with Steady Mobbin'? What was it like working with the No Limit kingpin?

Yeah, I hooked up with Masta P when I was with Steady Mobbin' and it was beautiful. I bought two cars, two houses, and was able to take care of my kids. No Limit was real big and I got to tour all around the world with people like Mystikal and Snoop and C Murder. It was a great experience.

You said you left the rap scene for a minute. Why the departure?

When I got back to The Bay after living in the South, the game was real slow out here. Being in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and making serious record sales, it was discouraging to be back in your hometown and not have gold capabilities. I didn't feel like it was even worth being in the game. Who can go gold or platinum out here? The only artists who did were Steady Mobbin', Too Short, and Luniz. I didn't want just local sales so I had to kick back for a couple years. Then I started hearing these cats like the Federation, and I thought, damn, the Bay needs some help. Someone's got to put in work. I'm here to rebuild the bridge.

Tell us about your 'hood, Ghost Town.

Ghost Town is where it all started. Before I was solo as Bavgate I was in the crew Steady Mobbin'. We went gold off the first single and the album went gold as well. That's when we were grinding, doing all-nighters, amidst all the dangers--rivalries, murders, kidnappings, jail time. We got tired of seeing that and started this rap shit to try and straighten up a bit.

How did you link up with Mac Dre and Thizz Entertainment?

Mac Dre was feeling me as an artist, and when he blew up he wanted to team up. We came together like butt cheeks and put it together before he died. Before he passed away we knew together we could do something big.

Is the Bay Area going to get back in the national spotlight?

We coming; we busting through a lot of doors right now, got a lot of stuff going on right now. Now that I'm back we got more action, more national attention. I'm an international artist. I sell everywhere. Most artists from The Bay only sell locally and their music isn't hittin' other parts of the country. I'm gonna try and help make The Bay major, using my music and the support I got down in LA from Dr Dre and his producers.

When you rap you have a very recognizable voice and a relaxed, casual delivery. Did you always come like that or has your style progressed to 'this point over time?

Originally I came like I do now, real calm and relaxed. Then I switched it up and started coming real hyphy like Lil' Jon. Then a lot of people around The Bay started biting my style so I brought it back around much more casual and laid back.

In your latest album, Tha Instagator, Game from G-Unit makes an appearance. How did you two link up?

Me and Dr Dre have been working together and I met Game down in LA. We fucked around in the studio, kicked it, and he's got a big fan base down in Southern California, which is something I needed to tap into.

Who else would you like to link up with and make music?

More down South cats, some heads in New York. I really want to do some shit with Ice Cube.

Where did you pick up the name Bavgate?

Bavgate is an old gangster name from the 1920s and I'm a modern day gangster from the streets. My real name is Billy, but I had to put that Bavgate on it.

What is the most important rule for survival in the streets?

Stay out of trouble and try to avoid selling dope. Stay in school and keep away from heavy drugs like ecstasy and mushrooms.

This is the second part in a series highlighting the artists from Thizz Ent.