Ghost-riding is said to have originated in San Francisco’s East Bay area. The trend was pushed to main stream pop culture thanks in part to Oakland rapper E-40’s hyphy anthem. “Tell Me When to Go”. The hyphy movement is a hip hop style from the East Oakland area that has its own distinguishable slang, fashion and of course, car culture. Youth from the area have been staging car rallies and sydeshows since the 80’s. Ghost-riding is a main-stay at these meetings, which are characterized by large groups of people gathering for car tricks and loud Hip Hop music.

Hyphy Slang:

Ghost Ridin' the Whip - Driver walks alongside slow-rolling car with the door open, giving the appearance that the car is driving itself. Passengers ride with all the doors open and sometimes leap out of the moving cars, sometimes dancing on top of the hood.
Whip - vehicle
Going dumb - Bay area style of having fun.
HyphyA style of music and dance primarily associated with the Bay Area hip hop culture.
Sydeshow - An informal demonstration of automotive stunts held on public street corners.
Yay Area - Another nickname for the Bay Area of California.