The debut album and formation of 1 Umbrella consists of Oakland and San Francisco rappers, ALLBLACK, 22nd Jim, Lil Bean, Lil Yee and ZayBang, who are all under the EMPIRE independent record label in San Francisco, which is celebrating 15 years.
1 Umbrella brings five rappers together and can be seen as the Bay Area avengers. The 15-track album has features including other well-known Bay Area rappers: Larry June, Da Boii, Rexx Life Raj, 1100 Himself, Lingo and Dooder. Throughout these tracks, these artists make it clear that they are faithful to the rap game and no rain or any type of weather will affect them-hence why they are all covered by an umbrella.
In the first track, which is titled the same as their group name, these rappers discuss their wins in life, their wealth and the love from their women and their fans. This is obvious from the music video, where these rappers are seen throughout San Francisco, cruising in a Maybach to a party bus and crossing the Bay waters in a boat. They are also seen walking around Fisherman Wharf, the wealthy neighborhoods of the city and performing at venues.
The themes of flexing on their haters continues in the next tracks “One of Those,” “CODE,” and “Baller Blockin.” While in the fifth track, “Blueprint,” they rap about how their haters should think twice before messing with them, as they will put them in their place if needed. Any rappers who want to beef with them should just stay away. They are the blueprint and no other rap groups can compare.
The Larry June touch is felt in the sixth track “Off Top” as Larry June raps, “Chop, handguns squared, hos boppin', I’m countin’ so much chicken, I can’t hide it. Damn it’s been ten years since a drought . . . I’m ballin’ hundred for the couch, just loungin’” Throughout the track the rappers speak on their love life, putting themselves first and staying in their lane.
In “Gimmicks” they rap about gifting their loved ones anything they want over harp instrumentals. They also reminisce on their life before the wealth and how they got out of the hood. With lyrics, “If you reach, then I teach, this is not a Gimmick,” makes it clear that what they do isn’t a stunt or a trick. They don't just claim to keep it real, they will show you and they will share all the good, the bad and the ugly without any shame.
A love track is heard in “Pretty,” as Lil Yee makes it clear a woman is his muse. He raps about wanting this woman and only her and willing to stay loyal to her, showing her off to the world and being dangerously in love. This special lady is the one that can change him and although pretty on the outside, is also pretty on the inside. It’s obvious Lil Yee is in his feelings, bringing out the lover boy in him.
This love theme is continued in “Type of Time,” which is the more r&b style track of the album that stands out. Both lovers are on the same page and time. Plus both are fly in style, that will have everyone talking.
The shortest track of the album, is followed with “N.E.W.S,” where all the rappers discuss living life like a movie and observing their haters as they stay mad and not being able to keep up to their level with lyrics, “If it cost to be the boss. Then what’s the total? Play runners, we from the ghetto but we global.”
They continue to flex their wins in “Change My Ways” and “Foreign Whip Swinger.” While in “For The Night” they rap about being in the city for the night, as they are always traveling as part of their busy schedule. They also rap about making love to their women and being attracted to diamonds both in jewelry and women who shine bright.
It’s clear they run the Bay and what it represents in “Run The City.” They also take pride in being a role model to the next generation of Bay Area rappers in the final track, “Real Nigga Diary,” where they share their struggles prior to the fame and fortune and open up their raw emotions.
1 Umbrella had a release party and signed albums for their fans at Amoeba Music in San Francisco during Super Bowl Weekend. On Friday Feb. 13, they also had a meet and greet with fans at EMPIRE Headquarters. The group hopes to bring unity within the Bay Area and instill hope through this project and collective.
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