Video: Nef The Pharaoh – “South Vallejo”

The Sick Wid It Records Signee Salutes His Hometown in His First New Single of 2019

6.21.2018

Critical Praise:

“It’s been nearly three years since Nef The Pharaoh took the Bay Area by storm with his breakout hit ‘Big Tymin’.’ Since then, under the tutelage of E-40, the South Vallejo rapper has become an ambassador of the region in his own right, championing artists like SOB X RBE, OMB Peezy, and others.” – The FADER

“it’s a joyous, melodic project with the old school, timeless feel we’ve come to expect from Nef the Pharaoh. Do yourself a favor and play this in a car as soon as physically possible.” – NOISEY

“…the best rapper from Vallejo since the last great rapper from Vallejo [Mac Dre]” – Passion of the Weiss

“[Nef the Pharaoh] distinguished himself in the last couple years as one of the Bay Area’s most exciting and charismatic rappers – possesses the wit, versatility, and magnetism that might land him a larger, nationwide audience.” –Pitchfork

“Nef the Pharaoh runs neck-and-neck with Kodak Black as the most promising up-and-coming rapper who can’t yet rent a car.” – SPIN

“There may be no rapper working right now who brings more good cheer and positive vibes than Vallejo’s Nef the Pharaoh” – Noisey

The Video:

Since exploding onto the scene with his 2015 hit “Big Tymin’,” Nef The Pharaoh matured from one of the Bay’s most exciting new voices into a respected artist and the leader of a wave of young rappers. Paying tribute to his neighborhood in his home city, Nef shares “South Vallejo,” his new video single. Boasting a glistening mob instrumental, complete with rubbery bass, rippling piano chords, and eerie sine waves, “South Vallejo” finds Nef squarely in his comfort zone, weaving his elastic flow around reverbed fingersnaps as he lists local references so specific that you have to be from South Vallejo (not Vallejo, South Vallejo) to fully understand: “If you never hooped at Patterson, you not from South Vallejo/If the police ever get me, I got money for the bail.” The video is a bit more friendly to outsiders, as the fish-eye-lensed camera flashes on several of Nef’s more obscure references while Nef and his neighborhood homies put on for their city.

His first new song of the year, “South Vallejo” follows up a prolific 2018 for the Sick Wid It Records emcee. In April, the 24-year-old rapper shared The Big Chang Theory, a fun and energetic mixtape, praised by by Noisey, who raved “it’s a joyous, melodic project with the old school, timeless feel we’ve come to expect from Nef the Pharaoh. Do yourself a favor and play this in a car as soon as physically possible.” In the Summer, Nef collaborated with 03 Greedo for Porter 2 Grape, an acclaimed EP that boasted the ALLBLACK-featuring single “Ball Out” and the Pitchfork Best New Track “Blow-Up Bed. Nef capped off his successful year with Vice Versa another collaborative EP, this time with ShooterGang Kony, a buzzing Sacramento rapper and one of Nef’s closest friends. Nef is currently preparing his official debut album, coming this summer.

Watch “South Vallejo”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AOgBU2NoDo

Buy/Stream “South Vallejo”: https://empire.lnk.to/SouthVallejo

Please contact Michelle or Scott for more info.

The Background:

Breaking through with his self-titled 2015 EP and its hit single “Big Tymin‘,” the 23-year-old Nef The Pharaoh quickly established himself as one of the most unique and popular emcees in the Bay. Signed to E-40’s Sick Wid It Records, the charismatic emcee is a fixture on regional radio, releasing an acclaimed collaborative EP with Cardo Got Wingz (Kendrick Lamar, Drake) in 2016 and hitting in 2017 with the single “Bling Blaow,” which features Slimmy B of SOB x RBE. In April 2018, Nef shared his debut album The Big Chang Theory, which earned praise from Noisey, who raved “it’s a joyous, melodic project with the old school, timeless feel we’ve come to expect from Nef the Pharaoh. Do yourself a favor and play this in a car as soon as physically possible,” and Pitchfork, who said “Nef is the rare rapper who whose music feels free—free of narrative cohesion, outside interference, or any sense of pressure.” This past summer, Nef shared Porter2Grape, an action-packed 5-track collaborative EP with L.A. rapper 03 Greedo. The blistering EP, with the single “Ball Out,” featuring ALLBLACK, and the Pitchfork Best New Track “Blow-Up Bed,“ is currently available for stream and purchase via EMPIRE.