AllBlack

Drawing inspiration from Bay Area icon E-40, Oakland rapper ALLBLACK fused the region’s bounce-heavy beats with his singular slang, sharp insults, and football references delivered through an unpredictable flow. Working alongside producers ranging from P-Lo to Kenny Beats, he transitioned from local recognition to global reach by the end of the 2010s, highlighted by his appearance with YG and Blueface on G-Eazy’s chart-topping “West Coast.”

Born D’Andre Sams, the rapper grew up amid Oakland’s notorious “Murder Dubs” district, immersed in the area’s pimp and hustler ethos. Shaped by his parents’ eclectic listening habits—from Journey to Teddy Pendergrass—he began rapping through freestyle sessions with his brother. While at Pinole Valley High School he connected with future collaborators Iamsu! and P-Lo, though his primary focus remained a possible football career.

A casual studio visit with friends prompted Sams to commit his rhymes to tape, yielding the debut project No Shame (2015) even as he maintained street ties. Time behind bars pushed him to prioritize music, leading to the release of the mixtape No Shame 2, managed by cousin Rolla. Anchoring his work in local detail with tracks such as “Roscoes Chicken & Waffles” and “RIP Jamil Brown,” the follow-up paired the bass-driven sound of his peers with his offbeat phrasing, featuring associates Offset Jim and JB Cooler.

He refined this style across 2017’s KimSon and 2018’s Outcalls, amplifying his distinctive wordplay while weaving street narratives through gridiron imagery and playful phrasing. International attention arrived via the 2018 collaborative EP 2 Minute Drills with Connecticut producer Kenny Beats. Embracing his athletic background through song titles including “3 Point Stance” and “Weigh Ins,” ALLBLACK showcased peak assurance over Beats’ rhythmic foundations.

Capitalizing on the momentum, Sams secured a spot on G-Eazy’s “West Coast” (2019), joining YG and Blueface in a salute to their shared California origins. Mentored by the fellow Oakland artist, he experienced mainstream exposure through late-night television performances on Jimmy Kimmel and concerts before audiences of 20,000. Later that year he issued the 22nd Ways EP alongside longtime partner Offset Jim. The full-length TY4FWM followed in May 2021, featuring appearances from Vince Staples, Mozzy, G-Eazy, and additional guests.