CTC

Edition 001 · August 31, 2026

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Contents

  • 03 — Top 20 — Week of 2026-08-26
  • 04 — BigTime Bake
  • 05 — Baker's Dozen II: The Oven Stays Hot
  • 09 — The Blueprint: Lauryn Hill's Living Legend Status Confirmed
  • 11 — Architects of Narrative: King, Campbell, Diggs and the Black Storytelling Agenda
  • 15 — The Algorithm Shifts. The Coast Stays Ready.
  • 19 — The Power Play: Tariq and Tommy Reunite for Legacy
  • 22 — New from the coast
  • 24 — From the community
  • 26 — The next two weeks
02CONNECT THE COAST

The 805 Chart

Top 20 — Week of 2026-08-26

Ranked on views and interactions across the coast.

  1. 01Gettin’ 2 ItBigTime Bake11.4K
  2. 021OmegladonOmega Nova and Miggyhatesu4.3K
  3. 031Sirrealist DissKing Harris4.1K
  4. 041I Still Choose Youthenameuno2.2K
  5. 051King Harris DissSirrealist2.8K

Artist of the Week

BigTime Bake

Gettin’ 2 It — №1 on the 805 chart.

Have you heard Gettin’ 2 It by BigTime Bake?

@connectthecoastInstagram

Music

Baker's Dozen II: The Oven Stays Hot

🔌🔌🔌🔌. Four plugs out of five, judged the house way: beats, bars, flow, concept, sound.

First, the house rules. Every album reviewed in this magazine gets judged the same five ways: beat selection, bars, flow, concept, and sound quality. Each record earns a score from one to five plugs. Five means the coast should be studying it; one means pull it out of the wall. Same rubric, every review, no exceptions. Learn it once and you can argue with us forever.

Baker's Dozen II: 🔌🔌🔌🔌. Four plugs.

Film Live in the 805

Start where the record is strongest. The sound quality is amazing: Bake has mastered layering, using his own voice as another instrument, stacking parts of a song until they turn dynamic and in-your-face. The mixes are great, the master is clean and loud, and under the engineering is a writer who knows how to construct a hit: very catchy hooks, memorable moments in every verse.

Beat selection runs nearly as hot. Standouts like "Dumb," "Aye Bruther," "3AM on PCH," and "Dance" show the range: production that nods to the greats, E-A-Ski to The Neptunes, always with his own twist.

Baker's Dozen II, the artwork
Artwork: BigTimeBake

The bars are impeccable, and the pop-culture flips do real work: "If baby girl fire, let me bend it like Zuko." Elsewhere he's reaching for Mace Windu. Whatever the reference, he always finds a clever way to get his point across. This is writing you rewind to catch the second layer.

Flow is where a plug gets left on the table. It isn't the same flow on every song, more like one family of flows, and he does a decent job making sure each track sounds a little different from the last. Still, a little more variety would take these songs somewhere new. Good, not yet great.

And concept? This isn't a conceptual album, and it doesn't pretend to be. That takes nothing away from the project. If anything, there are a few more songs here than it needs. It's still worth the listen front to back: a really fun, genuinely good record.

Four plugs, then: 🔌🔌🔌🔌. The oven stays hot. "Gettin' 2 It" sits at №1 on the 805 chart the same week the sequel lands, and the receipts live at connxct.club/charts.

Music

The Blueprint: Lauryn Hill's Living Legend Status Confirmed

Lauryn Hill is set to receive the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards, acknowledging her profound and lasting impact on music.

The confirmation arrived. Lauryn Hill is set to receive the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards. This isn't merely an announcement. It's a formal acknowledgment of a legacy that has shaped, and continues to shape, the landscape of hip-hop and R&B. The message is clear, her status, long understood by those paying attention,

Entertainment

Architects of Narrative: King, Campbell, Diggs and the Black Storytelling Agenda

Regina King, Tisha Campbell, and Taye Diggs are shaping the future of Black storytelling, a pivotal moment for cultural evolution.

The ongoing discourse surrounding the future of Black storytelling, particularly as guided by figures like Regina King, Tisha Campbell, and Taye Diggs, represents a calculated evolution within the industry. Their insights at events such as ABFF 2026 are not merely observations, but strategic directives for where narrative power will reside. This shift is felt across the cultural landscape, influencing creators from the major studios to the independent artists building their platforms in places like Ventura County.

These artists understand the weight of their positions. They are not just performers, but curators of identity, responsible for charting paths that resonate authentically and push boundaries. The conversation moves beyond mere representation, focusing instead on ownership, depth, and the economic infrastructure necessary for sustained impact.

Regina King, Tisha Campbell, Taye Diggs: Shaping Tomorrow's Narratives

Regina King’s trajectory, from screen presence to directorial force, embodies the strategic expansion of Black artistic influence. Her commitment to nuanced narratives dictates a standard. Tisha Campbell, with her enduring career and sharp cultural commentary, provides a vital link between established legacies and emerging voices. Taye Diggs, consistently navigating diverse roles, demonstrates the versatility and reach required to keep Black stories central to the broader entertainment discussion.

Their collective presence at ABFF 2026 signals an inflection point. It is a moment where the blueprint for the next generation of storytellers is being drafted. The discussions cover everything from funding models to distribution strategies, ensuring that the narratives developed are not only powerful but also sustainable. This is about building an ecosystem, not just producing individual projects.

This deliberate approach to content creation and dissemination has a ripple effect. It informs how emerging artists in the 805 corridor, from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, perceive their own opportunities and responsibilities. The lessons from these industry leaders provide a framework for local creatives looking to make their mark, emphasizing authenticity and strategic intent over fleeting trends. The work of Regina

Tech

The Algorithm Shifts. The Coast Stays Ready.

Apple is expected to unveil new AI features, a move that will reshape the digital landscape and ripple across the 805 corridor.

The tech world holds its breath. Apple is expected to unveil new AI features at its upcoming developers conference, a move that signals a significant shift in the digital landscape. This isn't just another product launch. It's a redefinition of the user experience, a subtle yet profound recalibration of how we interact with our devices. For the 805, where innovation quietly thrives from the startup hubs of Santa Barbara to the creative studios in Ventura, understanding these undercurrents is essential.

Apple's history is built on integration, making complex technology feel intuitive. AI, often perceived as a frontier of data and algorithms, will now be woven directly into the fabric of daily use. Consider the immediate implications. Enhanced productivity, more personalized content, and new avenues for digital expression emerge. This isn't about flashy demos. It's about a deeper, more ambient intelligence that anticipates needs, streamlines workflows, and potentially unlocks new creative tools for artists and producers.

Apple Expected to Unveil New AI Features and Their Ripple Effect

When Apple makes a move, the industry follows. The integration of advanced AI into iOS, macOS, and potentially other platforms will set a new benchmark. Developers across the globe, including those building the next wave of apps and experiences right here in San Luis Obispo County, will need to adapt. This isn't a suggestion. It's an imperative. The demand for AI-literate talent will surge, and the opportunities for those who master these new tools will expand.

For the culture, this means smarter beats, more dynamic visuals, and deeper engagement. Imagine AI-assisted production, personalized soundscapes, or even new forms of interactive storytelling. The understated power of these features lies in their ability to augment, not replace, human creativity. Those who grasp this early will be the ones shaping the next era.

This isn't about chasing trends. It's about recognizing the strategic shifts that redefine the playing field. The impact of Apple's expected new AI features will be felt not just in Cupertino, but across every connected device, every creative endeavor, and every corner of the 805. The coast is watching, always ready to absorb, adapt, and innovate. The Coast Got Next.

Entertainment

The Power Play: Tariq and Tommy Reunite for Legacy

STARZ has officially ordered 'Power: Legacy,' confirming the highly anticipated reunion of Tariq St. Patrick and Tommy Egan.

The narrative arc of the Power universe has always been a complex study in ambition, consequence, and loyalty. Now, the stakes are being redefined. Word from the industry confirms that STARZ orders 'Power: Legacy' with Tariq and Tommy reunion, a development that shifts the landscape of the franchise. This isn't merely a spin-off; it's a calculated move to bring two of the series' most compelling, and often conflicting, forces back into direct orbit.

The announcement confirms what many have speculated since the climactic events of Power Book II: Ghost and Power Book IV: Force. Tariq St. Patrick, having navigated his own treacherous path, and Tommy Egan, carving out his empire in Chicago, are set to converge. This reunion is less about nostalgia and more about the inevitable collision of two legacies born from the same brutal origins.

Understanding the 'Power: Legacy' Reunion

The decision by STARZ to orchestrate this STARZ orders 'Power: Legacy' with Tariq and Tommy reunion signals a strategic intent to re-energize the core narrative. Fans across the 805 corridor, from the streets of Ventura County to the coastal enclaves of Santa Barbara, have followed these characters' separate evolutions with keen interest. The tension between Tariq’s inherited burden and Tommy’s raw, unyielding drive offers fertile ground for storytelling that cuts deep.

This isn't a simple team-up. The relationship between Tariq and Tommy is steeped in betrayal, shared trauma, and a twisted form of family. Their reunion in Legacy will undoubtedly force them to confront their past, their roles in the downfall of James St. Patrick, and the future of an empire built on illicit gains. The implications are vast, promising a narrative that challenges their individual growth while testing the limits of their shared history. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of characters forged in fire, resonating with anyone who understands the grind.

The Power universe has consistently mirrored the harsh realities and aspirational dreams found in various communities, including our own. The raw ambition, the pursuit of power, and the complex moral dilemmas presented by Tariq and Tommy's journeys speak to a broader cultural dialogue. The reintroduction of these two figures into a shared storyline is not just a ratings play; it's an acknowledgment of their indelible mark on contemporary storytelling.

Screening Room

New from the coast

Fresh videos on the Feed this week.

HYOI - U CAN (Official Video)HYOI
The Greatest - Tr3y Mack (Official Cypher)Tr3y Mack
Nothing Special #22 - Rollin FattiesNothing Special
Don't Need You (feat. Lil' Fuggup)Eliindacut - Topic

On the coast

The next two weeks

Shows and gatherings across Ventura, Santa Barbara, and SLO counties.

  1. 2026-09-01RAISE THE BAR: OPEN MIC NIGHTTransplants Brewing Company · Palmdale, CA
  2. 2026-09-01Kenyon DixonBlue Note Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA
  3. 2026-09-01NonameThe Fonda Theatre · Los Angeles, CA
  4. 2026-09-01J. Cole: The Fall-Off TourCrypto.com Arena · Los Angeles, CA
  5. 2026-09-01Kenyon DixonBlue Note Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA
  6. 2026-09-02No Headliners Tour ft Heno., Kwame Adu, My Favorite Color & ZAYALLCAPSThe Moroccan Lounge · Los Angeles, CA
  7. 2026-09-02BEYOND THE BEAT: A Celebration of True Music Hosted by Brian CollierB-Side at Blue Note Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA
  8. 2026-09-03Zyah Belle with Live BandBlue Note Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA