Oakland rapper and organizer Jonah Deocampo, known as Bambu DePistola, has released his new album Bass Building as a standalone streaming app. SF Times reports that it came out Oct. 1 and is available on Android and through Bandcamp.
Why he did it
Deocampo told The Oaklandside he grew disillusioned with commercial streaming after hearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruitment ads play between tracks on one of his own albums, without his consent. Spotify stopped airing those ads in late 2025, the outlet reports.
"Their platforms are held up by independent artists, not by corporate labels. But independent artists only get a fraction of a fraction of a cent," he said. If he sells a few hundred records through the app, he said, he'll earn more than he would from a million Spotify plays: "That's a no brainer."
How it works
- The app includes the album plus liner notes, behind-the-scenes material and other digital extras, and he can add music and content over time.
- It was developed by George Walters Jr. and coordinated by Sheppi Soliven for Deocampo and Beatrock Music, the underground hip-hop label he has led as chairman since 2010.
- He first priced out the idea in 2016 and was quoted about $40,000. Cheaper DIY app tools made it possible now.
- He says he won't "gatekeep" the technology and has floated a co-op model with equal voting for artists. SF Times reports the app launched on Android, and he says Apple has held it up.
Deocampo co-founded the rap group Native Guns in 2002 with Los Angeles emcee Kiwi and Bay Area turntablist DJ Phatrick. He performed songs from Bass Building at The Ford in Hollywood on Oct. 10.