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The word hyphy (pronounced /ˈhaɪfiː/ hy-fee) is short for "hyperactive."[1] It was created by Bay Area rapper Keak Da Sneak[1][2] when he used the term on an album he recorded in 1994.[3] From the USA Today article: "Every record label was getting at us at that time, but we fumbled the ball," says E-40, whose My Ghetto Report Card entered the Billboard album chart at No. 3 in March. "I hung on like a hubcap in the fast lane along with a few other rappers, and now it's time again. We had a 10-year drought and they went to other regions and were bypassing us like the sand out here. But we're trendsetters, and the rap game without the Bay Area is like old folks without bingo."[4] Although the hyphy movement has just recently seen light in mainstream America, it has been a long standing and evolving culture in the Bay Area. Hyphy can be seen as the San Francisco equivalent to G-Funk in Los Angeles.

The phrase "to get hyphy" refers to when an individual acts or dances in an overstated, fast paced, and ridiculous manner. This is similar to the southern phrase "to get crunk" but without the drug and alcohol references. Those who consider themselves part of the hyphy movement would describe this behavior as what they strive their movement to be.[5] In contrast to much of popular American culture where these phrases would be considered negative or even insulting, Hyphy is distinguished by taking this kind of behavior as a form of pride. Hyphy as an adjective, "the hyphy movement" is a cultural term: regional slang that refers to the dance itself as well as party atmosphere, lifestyle,[2] and independent Bay Area music referred to as hyphy music.[1][5]