THE ARTIST
ABOUT
BAKES
Most artists can tell you the moment music chose them. Bakes' version starts before memory: a toddler in front of the television, rehearsing songs, playing toy instruments, performing entire concerts for the living room and walking out of the hallway for the encore. The oldest of four kids raised in San Ramon, in the East Bay, he grew up watching rappers the way other kids watched astronauts. To him they were superheroes: the vocabulary, the rhythm, the poetry, the intelligence, and the fashion and edge that came with it.
College at San Diego State was supposed to answer the practical questions: a career, a path, a place in the workforce. Music kept interrupting. He started writing and recording, and taught himself the business one moving part at a time, and the pull he had felt since childhood turned into conviction: he had something to say to the world, and something to prove.
He has run it himself ever since. Self-managed and self-funded, Bakes built his career from the ground up, bringing in the right people for production, visuals, and marketing while keeping the direction his own. What came out of it is a catalog audiences describe as modern hip-hop purism: intricate, message-driven records from a rapper's rapper. The fanbase runs wide because the music gives everyone a door in: kids look up to him, peers respect him, and older generations appreciate the craftsmanship.
THE STORY
The work compounded show by show across Southern California until the names on the flyers got heavy. “1AM Somewhere” went into rotation on the Bay Area's Wild 94.9 and more records hit San Diego's JAM'N 95.7. The “Divine Timing” video charted #3 on VEVO's Incoming Hip-Hop playlist, and GQ South Africa, The Source, Thisis50, and HipHopWeekly all wrote his name, with press for that run led by BurgerRock Media, the international entertainment and fashion agency.
The road ran well past California too: he played SXSW in Austin three times and A3C in Atlanta, and XXL Magazine featured him as a rising artist.
HAS OPENED FOR
AS SEEN IN
COMMON QUESTIONS
Who is Bakes?
Bakes is a lyrical hip-hop artist from San Diego, CA, by way of the East Bay. He writes intricate, message-driven records, a rapper's rapper, and everything with his name on it is independent, built from the ground up. The vision behind it: keeping lyrical rap alive and bridging the old school and the new.
Where is Bakes from?
San Diego, CA, by way of the East Bay. He grew up in San Ramon, the oldest of four kids, and started writing and recording in college at San Diego State.
What kind of music does Bakes make?
Lyrical hip-hop: intricate, message-driven records built on vocabulary, rhythm, and something to say. Audiences describe the catalog as modern hip-hop purism, and the full discography is at bakesmusic.com/music.
Who has Bakes opened for?
Bakes has opened for the likes of Mobb Deep, Redman and Method Man, Too $hort, Twista, A$AP Ferg, Curren$y, Onyx, Desiigner, Ras Kass, Fatman Scoop, Devin the Dude, Kid Ink, Kap G, O.T. Genasis, Petey Pablo, Chingy and OG Maco.
What is Divine Timing?
Divine Timing is a Bakes song from the Trust Yourself EP (2020), and its video charted #3 on VEVO's Incoming Hip-Hop playlist. It is also the name of the first Bakes clothing capsule: five pieces across two designs, Angels and Roses Are Divine, at bakesmusic.com/store. The brand itself is Bakes.
Where can I listen to Bakes?
Bakes is on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, Pandora, Tidal and SoundCloud, with every platform listed at bakesmusic.com/listen. The discography is at bakesmusic.com/music, downloads are on Bandcamp, and the official videos are on BakesVEVO.
Where can I buy Bakes merch?
At bakesmusic.com/store, the official store: the Divine Timing capsule, with hoodies, tees and a long sleeve in sizes S to XL. Everything ships from San Diego, and U.S. orders of $50 or more, counted after any discount code, ship free.
How do I book or contact Bakes?
Use the contact form at bakesmusic.com/contact: pick "Booking / Shows" for shows, festivals and live performance, or "Press / Media" for interviews and features. Or email bakes@bakesmusic.com.
BOOK BAKES
Shows, festivals, features, and press. Use the contact form and pick the subject that fits.
GET IN TOUCHJOIN THE DAY ONES
10% off your first order, plus new music, drops and show dates before anyone else. Straight from Bakes, no spam.
YOU'RE ALREADY ON THE LIST. NEW MUSIC FINDS YOU FIRST.