Federation (Rap)

Federation celebrate their status as hip-hop dummies with songs that implore listeners to "go dumb," setting the template for a generation of hyphy class clowns. The Bay Area group debuted nationally in 2004 with their single "Hyphy," thus popularizing, although not inventing, the term. With producer Rick Rock's dizzying synths and slapping bass sound, and a guest spot from E-40, the single was silly, energetic and intense, sounding like crunk's ADHD cousin, and it proved influential in the Bay's growing hyphy movement. Federation's subsequent debut album The Album tanked, however, and the group was dropped from Virgin. But when E-40 hit big in 2006 with his album My Ghetto Report Card, which featured Federation on three tracks, offers began rolling in, and Federation eventually went with Reprise. A slew of singles were subsequently released, but the group took too long to release its second album. By the time It's Whateva dropped at the end of 2008, Federation's moment had passed.