Cats need to start networking and brush any issues aside. Thing is, I might have something Gruff doesn't have, or vice versa. Playa Rae may have something neither one of us has. This could be dope beats, hot hook, plugs with certain folks, equipment, etc. That's as far as the South Bay scene goes though. As far as an entire REGION, I think the older, more seasoned cats need to look for diamonds in the rough.
The rap game in the Bay Area is like one big high school. Certain cats clique up, and if you aren't part of that, you're brushed off (even if you got some hot shit). If some of us went to L.A. to network, a lot of cats would fuck with you...if you're hot, you're hot.
I think we need to start coming together and doing shows on the strength, and spread the cash equally afterwards. If a few hot cats did a show and packed it, it would be on. The money and recognition is in the great shows, not a dope album. You do an off the hook show at one venue, another venue will pick it up, and so on. Up and coming folks should spend countless hours in the studio (myself included) to get that perfect shit. If you question it, don't put it out there.