About this artist
A Bay Area staple since his mid-2010s debut, rapper Nef the Pharaoh spits energetic, lyrical, and often boastful bars over popping production. A regional fixture alongside frequent collaborators Mozzy, E-40, Philthy Rich, J. Stalin, and Mistah F.A.B., he made his breakthrough with the singles “Bitch I’m from Vallejo” and “Big Tymin’.”
Born Tonee Hayes in 1995, the proud Vallejo native started rapping before the age of five, honing his craft as a freestyling teenager influenced by Mac Dre, E-40, and DJ Mustard. His local hit, “Bitch I’m from Vallejo,” landed in 2014. The track helped catch the ear of E-40, who signed Nef to his Sick Wid It Records label. After issuing the early mixtapes Rich by 25 Two and Neffy Got Wings, he released his 2015 self-titled debut EP, featuring his second local hit, “Big Tymin’,” which was picked up by indie blogs and publications.
Nef’s official full-length debut, The Chang Project, arrived in 2017. Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, OMB Peezy, Remedy, and Mozzy, the album also included his thoughts on police brutality, gentrification, and the inner-city drug crisis, as well as his typical boasts and even a tribute to Lauryn Hill. The follow-up, The Big Chang Theory, was released in 2018, and included the lead single “Big Boss Chang.” The following summer, Nef issued the singles “South Vallejo” and “High Voltage” (featuring Tyga), which preceded the August release of his sophomore studio LP, Mushrooms & Coloring Books. ~ Neil Z. Yeung