Haji Springer
| Haji Springer | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Oakland, California |
| Genre(s) | Gangsta Rap, Hyphy |
| Label(s) | Thizz Entertainment |
Haji Springer is a rapper from San Francisco, California. He is closely associated with the hyphy movement.
Background
Haji Springer is one of the few rappers of Indian descent currently recording rap music. He was born in Oakland, California in 1981, the son of Indian immigrants. His family owns a small but extremely popular ice cream shop in a gentrified area of the Mission District in San Francisco, California. The shop is called The Bombay Ice Creamery, and is popular for its eccentric ice cream flavors such as rose petal.
Early Releases
Haji Springer's first album was released by Mastermind Records on March 4, 2003. At this time, the hyphy movement had not yet fully begun, and Springer was rapping under his original moniker, P.I.D., which was short for "Polithizzin Indian Dude". He also occasionally would be known as "Dr. Half Stupid".
The album cover showed him exhaling a large cloud of marijuana smoke from the driver's side seat of a BMW X5 (Jay Kat's previous whip). Although the album featured some unique tongue-in-cheek raps regarding his Indian heritage, it was mostly unheralded. The album is now out of print.
As the hyphy sound continued to evolve in the Bay Area, he changed his name to "Haji Springer" and began to rap in a thick, exaggerated Indian accent. His raps became almost entirely comical, which fit in with the flippant attitude of the new style. For example, he often refers to himself as "your local 7-11 rapper."
His new persona has given him an unmistakable sound, however he is sometimes criticized for not having more precise technical rapping abilities to go along with his shtick.
Recent Activities
Throughout 2004 to the present, Springer has been featured on many mixtapes alongside other notable Bay rappers such as Keak Da Sneak, San Quinn, Mistah F.A.B. and many more. Springer has also hosted fellow bay area rapper Yukmouth's last mixtapes including Million Dollar Game, All Out War 1, 2, & 3.
In 2007, he released a mixtape in anticipation of his new album, entited Haji Springer: The Hyphy Indian Rapper... Stackin' Rupees, produced by Gennessee.
New Album
His new album, entitled Hello Buddy, was released April 17th, 2007 and is available to buy online and in some
stores.
Tracklisting
01. Intro
02. Hello Buddy (featuring Keak Da Sneak & San
Quinn)
03. Purple Stuff
04. It's Haji (featuring Mike Marshall & Fatback)
05. Do My Thing
06. The Indian Rapper (featuring Jalissa)
07. Stunnaide (featuring Bleu DaVinci)
08. Stupid, Slumper, Slap (featuring Crest Creepaz)
09. I'm Thizz'n (Remix) (featuring Turf Talk & Mistah
F.A.B.)
10. Punk'd
11. Showin' Out (featuring J-Diggs & Bavgate)
12. Hajiwood (featuring Dogwood Speaks)
13. We Gon' Get That (featuring Bambino & Fly)
14. I'll Be Back
15. Haji's Back (featuring Cait La Dee)
16. Da Bizness (featuring Dubee, Equipto & Lil' Dank)
17. Hustlaz & Scraperz (featuring Turf Talk & The
Jacka)
18. Belly Dance (featuring Yukmouth, Gennesse & Cait La Dee)
19. Hey! (featuring Cozmo & Burner)
20. So Easy (featuring Monstah Ganja, G-Stack & Fatback)
21. I Don't Care
Memorable Quotes
"In the V.I.P. is where you can catch me...Or in the parking lot, doing donuts in a taxi."
"Hello Buddy!"
"(Mistah F.A.B.)...He's in a yellow bus, I'm in a taxi."
"I smoke a lot, and ride dirty/I eat curry, and I drive in a hurry."
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