Growing up in Vallejo, Baby Bash took tremendous pride in his city’s -- and the larger West Coast’s -- powerful rap heritage. Even though he considers himself a product of Mac Dre, Ice Cube and E-40, little did Bash know that he would have gold singles, gold albums and platinum songwriting credits on his resume.
That’s because Baby Bash’s rise to musical prominence came by osmosis, not by a well-crafted and perfectly executed plan to become an international superstar. After a stint playing basketball at Solano Junior College, Bash started hanging out at a local recording studio. Going into the studio was an escape, having been raised in a family struggling with addiction and criminal activity. “I’ve experienced so much chaos,” Bash says. “I’ve seen my mother drugged. I’ve seen a lot of little conniving stories, so when I want to write music about struggle, the criminal aspect of life, it made it real simple because I could just go back to my childhood.”
Despite the circumstances, Bash never allowed himself to get caught up in the world of bling and gangsters. Instead he stays true to his own personal style and love for music and words. “I’m no hard ass gangster wanting to step on toes and I’m no corny cat either,” says Bash. “I’m a player and hustler and I love money and love women and love a good time.”
Influenced by the rap, R&B, reggae and rock he and his friends listened to in the culturally diverse Bay Area, Bash felt that spending time at a studio would give him a perfect opportunity to clear his mind as he plotted his next move.
True, he was going to relax with his friends, but being around other artists soon inspired Baby Bash to start rapping himself. His humor and trash talking were a hit with his friends. “I wasn’t even serious,” Bash recalls. “I just liked to cuss and talk trash. I would talk about your momma in a rap. I like to make people laugh and smile, make them feel good about themselves.”
Even though Bash didn’t take himself too seriously, his memorable raps earned him spots in the popular underground groups Potna Deuce and Latino Velvet. His uncanny way with words made him a solid songwriter and allowed him to gain legions of fans on California’s low-rider car show circuit. Traveling and performing on the car show circuit led to Bash’s connection with Latin rap godfather Frost, who then introduced Bash to Houston rapper South Park Mexican (also known as SPM).
SPM had established himself as a major star in the Southwest and, like Bash’s friends, was impressed with Bash’s songwriting abilities. Bash (then recording as Baby Beesh) wrote the hit record “Wiggy” for SPM, who signed a deal with Universal Records. SPM was soon incarcerated, though, and Bash struck out on his own. He wrote the tune “Lifted” and gave it to a friend of his who had some radio connections.
Even though it was an independent release, “Lifted” enjoyed substantial radio play throughout the South and West.