Every decade fads come and go, but to the San Francisco Bay Area one fad will live on forever. Repping an individualistic style ever since a youth, Andre Hicks, better known as Mac Dre, grew up in Vallejo, California and started what would be known throughout the hip-hop community as "The Hyphy Movement". Mac Dre was notorious for his quick wit which earned him nicknames such as "Pill Clinton", "Street Sampras" and "Mac MacEnroe" amongst his friends growing up.
Although an esteemed rapper by the late 1990's, Mac Dre suffered the tribulations of a typical rap artist trying to break through in the music scene. Never having an interest in playing sports, Mac Dre started creating music to illustrate his artistic talent. As a teen in the late 80's he released "The Game is Thick" which became a sensational underground success in Northern Cali; however, his success was quickly overshadowed by criminal charges of conspiracy to commit bank robbery. Mac Dre and his crew "The Romper Room Gang" robbed over 50 banks and were even featured on Unsolved Mysteries at the height of their criminal activity. Once charged, Mac Dre was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
Leaving the prison world behind him, Mac Dre still contained his hatred for police, but instead of aggressivly attacking them, he opted for a passive route. Intitally, Mac Dre started gaining attention for his act called "Ghost Riding the Whip" in which passengers of a vehicle put the car into neutral and run out of the car to dance on top of the hood or walk along the side of it. He also was responsible for changing the local vernacular of the Bay Area by ending his statements with "yadadidamean?", putting on his "Stunna Shades", taking extascy or "Thizzle", and incorporating various dance moves such as "The Bird", "The Swabbage Patch", the "Thizz Face", the "Elizabeth Dance" and "The Furly". In all, Mac Dre has had a major influence on artists such as Lil Wayne and the Big Tymer's due to his excessive drug abuse and ability to create innovative ways to communicate with the ever-changing hip-hop fan base. The Hyphy Movement is best related to the crunk rap style of the south; however, the music itself more upbeat and intense. The upbeat tempo is used to create a crazy ambiance for the audience to get "hyphy" or dance in an overstated, fast paced, and rediculous manner.
Just over 5 years ago, Mac Dre was shot and killed in Kansas City, MO. He was buried near his local home in Vallejo, CA; however, nearly a year after his burial an over-enthusiatic fan stole his gravestone. If you or anyone you know has any information about this theft please call the Vallejo Police Department as there is a $10,000 reward upon its return.
