When you think of Vallejo, California — the city that gave the world Mac Dre, E-40, and the hyphy movement — there’s no denying Nef the Pharaoh belongs in the conversation. Known for his charismatic energy, bouncy flows, and unwavering pride in his roots, Nef has spent nearly a decade carving his own legacy as one of the Bay Area’s most consistent voices. Now, with his latest release ChangSzn 3, the Vallejo legend proves he’s not done growing — he’s just getting started on a new chapter.
Born Tonee Hayes in Oakland and raised in Vallejo, Nef the Pharaoh was destined to carry the torch for his city’s vibrant rap culture. Deeply inspired by local icons like Mac Dre and E-40, he began recording in his early teens and quickly became known for his magnetic delivery and storytelling.
His breakout moment came in 2014 when Thizzler.com crowned him Bay Area Freshman of the Year, a nod that cemented him as one to watch. But it was the 2015 hit “Big Tymin’” that truly changed everything. The song paid homage to the Cash Money era with a distinctly Bay Area twist, blending swagger, melody, and bounce into a sound that was all his own. The single caught fire across the West Coast and eventually earned him a deal with E-40’s Sick Wid It Records — an iconic partnership that linked him directly to Vallejo’s rap royalty.
Over the years, Nef’s catalog has shown both consistency and fearless experimentation. His debut full-length The Chang Project (2017) introduced a more refined version of his signature sound — melodic, confident, and deeply Bay at its core. He followed up with The Big Chang Theory (2018) and Mushrooms & Coloring Books (2019), two projects that revealed a more introspective and artistic side.
On Mushrooms & Coloring Books, Nef dived into psychedelic and emotional territory, exploring themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Critics praised his willingness to grow while maintaining his unmistakable Vallejo bounce. It was a pivotal moment that showed Nef wasn’t afraid to expand his creative range beyond the party records he was first known for.
In the years that followed, Nef continued to drop solid projects — from HearYEE HearYEE (2020) and SINsational (2021) to 4Eva The Pharaoh (2023) and Vallejo Playa (2024). Each release reflected his growth both as an artist and as a man who’s weathered the highs and lows of fame.
Through it all, he’s remained grounded in authenticity, using his platform to celebrate Vallejo culture, speak on resilience, and uplift the people and places that shaped him. Few artists have managed to balance local pride with mainstream potential quite like Nef the Pharaoh.
Now in 2025, Nef returns with ChangSzn 3, the latest entry in his long-running series. The project spans eight tracks, including standouts like “Kick In,” “Don’t You Know,” “Uma Thurman,” and “Pluto 2.” The sound is confident, crisp, and true to form — proof that Nef is still in full command of his craft.
The single “D.O.A.” featuring Magic4zz and Isaac5 has been one of the project’s early highlights, earning praise for its blend of hyphy nostalgia and modern Bay production. While ChangSzn 3 doesn’t aim to reinvent the wheel, it captures a veteran artist comfortably mastering his lane, focused on quality and longevity over trends.
A decade into his career, Nef the Pharaoh stands as more than just a rapper — he’s a cultural figurehead for Vallejo’s new generation. He’s carried the city’s legacy with pride, kept its sound alive, and continuously evolved while staying true to his identity.
ChangSzn 3 serves as both a continuation and a statement: that Vallejo’s legacy runs deep, and Nef’s reign as one of the Bay’s defining voices is far from over.
