oakland
what it is
Historically a focal point of the West Coast blues and jazz scenes, Oakland is also home to musicians representing such genres as rhythm and blues, funk, punk, heavy metal, Rap/Gangsta rap, and hip hop.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make oakland a playlist
turn these 20 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is oakland?
Historically a focal point of the West Coast blues and jazz scenes, Oakland is also home to musicians representing such genres as rhythm and blues, funk, punk, heavy metal, Rap/Gangsta rap, and hip hop.
What are good oakland albums to start with?
Try Explicit Game by Dru Down, No Man's Land by Souls of Mischief, On The Rise by A.P.G. Crew, and Jentrify by Elujay.
Who are some women making oakland?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/oakland/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making oakland, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21