Bound To Be Bold / Cover Story  0%

Caleborate

San Francisco

Caleborate called us from his engineer's house in Pacifica, Calif., where he finished up mixes for his latest album, 1993. Caleborate grew up in the Bay Area, splitting time between there and Sacramento after his parents separated. He started rapping seriously at age 17, filling up notebooks with autobiographical lyrics—a style that now defines his work and reached the ears of fellow local rapper G-Eazy. The two have since collaborated and grown close, which is the norm for the Bay’s music community. "The culture out here is growing up," Caleborate says. "Everyone in the Bay is like family."

Caleborate

Venue

Caleborate has played at a number of Bay Area venues, and San Francisco's Social Hall is by far his favorite. "The stage and the crowd are almost like one," he says. "There's no barrier." But at the top of his bucket list of places he would like to play, and more importantly, sell out, are the Regency, the Warfield, and the Oracle, which he considers his ultimate local venue.

Caleborate

Destination

If you are 21 and older, Caleborate suggests you head to Oakland for a night. The city across the Bay Bridge hosts First Fridays events at galleries in the area, but don't be fooled: These gatherings may take place at art institutions, but they still get crazy, especially the Not Ur Baby event. "It's still a party," he says.

Caleborate

Dining Out

When asked about the food scene in the Bay Area, Caleborate has to take a moment to collect himself. "The Mexican food out here is so good," he says, adding that El Farolito in the Mission is the spot not to miss. But before you head there, if you are from the East Coast, you have to go to In-N-Out Burger. "It will be the most delicious meal of your entire life," he says, especially for the price.