by JR Valrey
One of the most talented yet overlooked and slept-on artists in Bay Area Hip Hop history is the Fillmore game spitter Willie Hen. His effortless, game-infested flow came to my attention when I first heard “The Product,” which also featured the legendary Texas rapper Scarface. Recently, Willie Hen has dropped some new material that Hip Hop heads need to check out. Here is the update.
JR Valrey: When and how did you start rapping?
Willie Hen: Technically, I first started rapping in 1990. I made my debut on an album called BSB, Both Sides of the Bay, which was a group album executive produced by my older cousin Jedi. The group had two rappers, J-Wanz and D -Flat, who were friends of my cousin. The way I started rapping was by eavesdropping on one of their writing sessions, which was held at my grandmother’s house. I overheard them practicing their verses on a song called “the BBQ,” and I wrote a verse from outside the door. When they finally came out, I told them I had something for the beat and I spit the verse to them, and they decided that I made the cut.
JR Valrey: How would you compare the Frisco music of today to the Frisco music that was being made when you got into the game?
Willie Hen: Frisco rap music back then was still new because the genre of rap was still new. The biggest difference I noticed is that we were more conscious of being original. Everyone had their own style and sound. It wasn’t cool to sound like someone else – voice-wise or cadence-wise. And we respected each other more. There were less politics, although we had street issues and crosstown beef in the streets. When it came to the rap, there was a mutual respect for your fellow rappers. Sometimes the beef spilled into the music because rap was more closely tied to the streets back then. Most rappers were actual street cats, not just people who are good at rap.
The music was more authentic and painted pictures of what was actually going on in the neighborhood, the city and the Bay Area. The music told stories about the good times and the bad times. Everybody was still figuring it out and putting their crews together. Having a crew was essential. Lately, the Frisco rap scene has been very vibrant. I’ve seen the younger generation functioning with the older generation. There’s a lot of talent, but some of the guys seem to be held back by the politics associated with the streets, which is understandable when there’s been bloodshed and lives lost. But we’re all players and also soldiers, so hopefully we’ll figure it out and all come together real soon.
JR Valrey: What are you working on currently?
Willie Hen: Currently, I’m promoting my newest single, THE FLYEST ft. Boogs Bentley, which is available right now on all streaming platforms. I’m also working on an EP that may turn into an album because I’m stacking songs. The vibe is real smooth, player, soulful, mixed in with some Mob Music that the Bay Area is known for. I’m giving a lot of game and sharing a lot of information organically. I think it’s different from past projects because I’m just kicking back in my bag. I’m picking the beats, working close with the producers and executive producing the project myself.
JR Valrey: Who are you using for production on this project? You don’t usually have the usual Bay Area sound.
Willie Hen: I have a mixture of producers and features that I don’t wanna name now because I want it to be a surprise. And I haven’t narrowed down exactly who’s going to make the cut yet either. I’m very particular about music. I don’t like to just throw music out there for the sake of having it out, so I’m taking my time with it to curate and create a great body of work. Trust me, when I drop, you won’t be disappointed. It will be worth the wait.
JR Valrey: You helped to create one of the most classic slept-on albums in Bay Area history that also featured the Hip Hop legend Scarface, called “The Product.” Y’all ever gonna do an album together again?
Willie Hen: I actually talked to Scarface a couple weeks ago. He’s doing good. We didn’t really talk about music. We just chopped it up and joked with each other on a three-way call. What I will say is me and the other group member Malice have been doing some music lately: 10 songs so far. And we have talked about doing another Product album altogether, but I guess you’ll have to wait and see!
JR Valrey: Why has it always been important for you to put consciousness in your music?
Willie Hen: It’s important for me to put consciousness in my music because if I don’t, then who will? Growing up in the Bay Area with parents who were very conscious about our position in society and how the world felt about Black people as a whole, I kind of grew up with a mentality and an awareness that spilled over into the music. I feel like it’s almost my responsibility to pass down the knowledge, information and awareness to the generations to come.
Even though I’m known for storytelling and player songs, I still feel like it’s important to teach and reach people by sharing your experience so that hopefully they won’t make some of the same mistakes, or at least learn from your mistakes.
JR Valrey: Do you have any shows coming up?
Willie Hen: I may be performing in early October throughout the Bay Area. Right now I’m rehearsing with a band and a couple of my collaborators to put something awesome together. Make sure you check my social media, @Williehen, for more info on upcoming shows.
JR Valrey: How can people keep up with you online?
Willie Hen: Make sure to stay in touch with me on all social media platforms. I’m most active on Instagram. You can also find me on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and X. Search @Williehen. Snapchat is @Hendu415.
JR Valrey is a veteran journalist and Editor in Chief at the San Francisco Bay View. He can be reached at JR@sfbayview.com and also on IG @JRValrey