Co-Founders Play Review: American Theatre
- Despite the modern staging,the heart of "Co-Founders," playing at Oakland's Strand Theater,remains true too authentic Bay Area rap.
- Adefela, who grew up in Oakland and also performs in the show, emphasized the importance of authenticity.
- The show's music, initially released as a mixtape featuring Bay Area artists such as E-40 and Latif, captures the essence of the story.
Experiance the vibrant pulse of Oakland in “Co-Founders,” a groundbreaking musical celebrating authentic Bay Area rap and its cultural roots.This isn’t your average theater production; it’s a deep dive into the rhythms and realities of a tech-driven world, exploring themes of technology, identity, and culture. Producers prioritize a genuine sound, showcasing the raw energy of the Bay Area’s music scene through a mixtape-inspired score featuring local artists. The production speaks volumes for cities navigating innovation hubs and marginalization. Director Jamil Jude aims to connect the human experience through music and visuals. News Directory 3 is proud to present this compelling review. Discover how “Co-founders” is breaking boundaries and amplifying local voices in the theater. Where will this show go next? Discover what’s next …
Oakland’s “Co-Founders” Celebrates bay Area Rap Roots
Updated June 13,2025
Despite the modern staging,the heart of “Co-Founders,” playing at Oakland’s Strand Theater,remains true too authentic Bay Area rap. The musical delves into the region’s sound while exploring themes relevant to today’s tech-driven world.
Adefela, who grew up in Oakland and also performs in the show, emphasized the importance of authenticity. “We’re telling a story that is very crucial to us and very important to our audience. We don’t want to fake the funk on this,” Adefela said. Her mother performed in San Francisco’s “Beach Blanket Babylon.”
The show’s music, initially released as a mixtape featuring Bay Area artists such as E-40 and Latif, captures the essence of the story. According to Lewis, CEO of Rhyme Combinator, the goal was to create an authentic sound that transcends the typical musical theater stage, reflecting the breadth of influences from the Bay Area.
Director Jamil Jude of Atlanta’s True Colors Theatre Company aims to communicate the human experience through the music and visuals. Jude, who began working on the production during the pandemic, said, “Communicating the specificity of that human experience is what communicates the global.”
The story resonates beyond Oakland, speaking to cities living in the shadows of innovation hubs and those facing marginalization. It raises questions about who shapes the world and for whom it is indeed built.
Adefela noted the timeliness of the production. “At the end of one of our songs on the album we just released, it ends with, ‘Oakland’s time is now.’ and I believe this story’s time is now,” Adefela said.
What’s next
“Co-Founders” continues its run at ACT’s Strand Theater, with potential for future productions in other cities that seek to highlight local voices and explore themes of technology, culture, and identity through the lens of authentic Bay Area rap.