Turf Talk

Turf Talk, born Demar Bernstine in Vallejo, California, is a prominent Bay Area rapper known for his involvement with the hyphy movement. As the cousin of renowned Bay Area rapper E-40, Turf Talk had the opportunity to be signed to E-40’s record label, Sick Wid It Records. His influences include E-40 and The Click, Too $hort, The Dangerous Crew, and Mac Mall.

After initially rapping under the name Killa Kane, Turf Talk’s breakthrough came in 2003 when he performed the hook for E-40’s track “Gasoline.” He continued to make a name for himself in the Bay Area by collaborating with artists like The Federation and Mac Dre. In 2004, he released his debut album, “The Street Novelist,” which featured E-40, The Federation, and other Sick Wid It Records’ artists.

In 2005, Turf Talk released “Turf Talk Brings The Hood: Colabilation,” an album that featured both long-time collaborators and up-and-coming artists from the Sick Wid It Records roster. Despite suffering multiple pellet shotgun wounds to the face in July 2005, Turf Talk made a full recovery and was named New Artist (Rookie) of the Year at the inaugural Bay Area Rap Scene (B.A.R.S.) Awards later that same month.

In 2006, Turf Talk gained further exposure by appearing on E-40’s BME debut, “My Ghetto Report Card,” as well as MTV’s Hyphy music insight, “My Block: The Bay.” His influence on the Hyphy movement was documented in hip hop magazines The Source and XXL. Turf Talk’s unique delivery, which combines a distinctive drawl with fierce interjections, is a key aspect of his style.

Throughout his career, Turf Talk has released several albums, collaboration albums, and mixtapes, including “West Coast Vaccine: The Cure,” “Hyphy Ain’t Dead” (with Mistah F.A.B.), and “Sick-Wid-It Block Op” (with Laroo The Hard Hitta).