Seiji Oda's "Lo-Fi Hyphy" Tribute to the Bay Area

Seiji Oda pays respect to his Oakland roots in his 2025 album HUMAN + NATURE. He not only samples Bay Area titans like Mac Dre and Trunk Boiz — the record also features numerous collaborations with local artists making waves in the scene today, like the producer ClayDough. 

KEXP’s Dusty Henry spoke with Oda about his signature “lofi hyphy” sound, blending raw nature sounds with party-ready beats. 

“Starting with the natural environment first, I’m like, ‘Okay, what fits there?’” Oda says of his creative process in the interview. “What chords do I hear in this environment? What drums do I hear in this environment? Whose vocal sound could sound good in this environment? It doesn’t have to be perfect. As long as it feels right and people are moving, that’s what matters.” 

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