Nef The Pharaoh

“South Vallejo” is the first glimpse from Nef’s sophomore album. The video single retraces growing up with a dozen relatives under one roof. “When we were young, life was really ‘Hakuna Matata,’” he recalls. The artist whose name stems from elders calling him “nephew” says he was immune to any household stresses. Instead, he remembers his mom and grandma’s charity, and his father’s teaching of life-skills to be independent. He is now a proud dad to five-year-old “Baby Nef,” often seen gigging alongside his father at shows and in videos. It was at that same age that Nef’s talent show rap skills landed him atop a local newspaper.

By adolescence, the kid who studied the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt at the library admits to lashing out in pain when his grandmother succumbed to cancer. “I was a badass, messing up in classes. My mom moved me to Sacramento, to one of the most diverse schools in California.” A once segregated education became an experience of discovery. “I learned how to merge all those new and different cultures with my Bay Area ways,” he explains. “That’s how I won.” 

After years on the grind, things blossomed with 2014’s “B*tch I’m From Vallejo.” The DIY hit prompted the hometown hero to holler. What began as a few collaborations ultimately led E-40 and Sick Wid It to partner with Nef’s KILFMB label. As 2015’s Cash Money tribute “Big Tymin’” took off (more than 17 million Spotify plays to date), Nef sat in the front of the Bay’s new class. 

From near and far, peers have sought out Nef The Pharaoh. G-Eazy is one of Nef’s biggest supporters. He involved him on back-to-back world tours along with teaming up for 2018 smash collaboration “Power,” garnering 28 million views. Meanwhile, Drake has invited Nef to his stage on two occasions. Global Dance music superstar Marshmello has personally welcomed Nef to guest perform well, as has DJ Khaled at a Beyoncé stop. From high-profile collabs with Afrojack as well as DJ Esco, to a plethora of festivals, including How The West Was Won, Wireless, and Summer Jams, Nef is an ambassador. He also appeared in several Viceland documentaries. 

Following 2018’s Big Chang Theory, Nef’s Mushrooms & Coloring Books emphasizes artistry. While ‘shrooms are a psychedelic muse, the title’s other half is more personal. “I have dyslexia. I think so fast that when I write on paper, it just looks like chicken-scratch. So when I rap, I usually just freestyle. But if I get into a block, I just stop and color in my book.” Upcoming single “High Voltage” is a Tyga-assisted banger. Meanwhile, “Purple Cup” recreates the Y2K Rap vibes that inspired Nef as a child. “This album is gonna kick up the notion that I got raw bars.” Mushrooms & Coloring Books will stand as a proud pyramid in Nef The Pharaoh’s golden discography.