| West Coast hip hop | |
| Stylistic origins |
Form of hip hop music which combines the elements of Dancehall toasting with the rhythms of R&B, Reggae, disco, and funk. Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with Dancehall is a type of Jamaican Popular music which developed in the late 1970s initially as a more sparse and less political and religious variant of Reggae Toasting, Chatting, or Deejaying is the act of talking or Chanting over a Rhythm or beat. Reggae is a Music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s Disco is a Genre of dance-oriented music whose origins are hard to define Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul
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|---|---|
| Cultural origins |
Mid-1980s, California, United States
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| Typical instruments | |
| Mainstream popularity | Popular throughout the early-to-mid 1990s, declined during the remainder of the decade up to the 2000s with a small degree of mainstream exposure |
| Subgenres | |
| Underground hip hop - Electro hop - Gangsta rap - G-funk - Hyphy - Chicano rap - Mobb Music | |
| Regional scenes | |
| Los Angeles area - Bay Area - Sacramento - San Diego - Nevada - Phoenix - Seattle - Portland | |
| Other topics | |
| Crips - Bloods | |
West Coast hip hop, is a style of hip hop music that originated in California in the early 1980s. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Bass (ˈbɛɪs as in base) when used as an adjective is used to describe tones of low Frequency or range. Rapping (also known as emceeing, MCing, spitting, or just rhyming) is the Rhythmic spoken delivery of Rhymes wordplay and For the early "drum machine" computers that used a rotating cylinder as their main memory see Drum memory A drum machine is an A sampler is an electronic musical instrument closely related to a Synthesizer. Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with Underground Hip-hop, Underground Rap, or Undie (to draw comparison to "indie" or independent rock is an Umbrella term for Hip-hop Electro ( electro-boogie, electro-funk) is a Genre of Electronic music directly influenced by the use of TR-808 and Funk For the Ice T album see Gangsta Rap (album. Gangsta rap is a term originated by the mainstream media to describe a certain subgenre G-funk, or Gangsta Funk, is a type of Hip hop music that emerged from West Coast Gangsta rap in the early 1990s Hyphy (ˈhaɪfiː HYE-fee) is a slang word created by Bay Area Rapper Keak Da Sneak which is used in the San Francisco Bay Area that literally means Chicano rap is a subgenre of Hip hop music, Latin rap and Gangsta rap that embodies aspects of West Coast and Southwest Mexican American ( MoBB Music is a style of West Coast rap music that began in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1980s to mid 1990s Los Angeles County is a county in California and is by far the most populous county in the United States. The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, or the Bay, is a geographically and ethnically diverse metropolitan region that surrounds the Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally Phoenix (ˈfiːˌnɪks O'odham Skikik, Yavapai Wasinka, Western Apache Fiinigis, Navajo Hoozdo, Portland is a city located in the Northwestern United States, near the Confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers The Crips are a primarily but not exclusively African American gang founded in Los Angeles California in 1969 mainly by 16-year-old Raymond The Bloods is one of the street Gangs originally founded in Los Angeles Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. It has since grown into a sub-genre of hip hop and has developed several creative centers, most of which are in African American communities in California. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Pioneers of the genre include Ice T and especially N.W.A, whose controversial album prompted a letter from the FBI. NWA (also known as Niggaz with Attitudes) was a Compton, California -based hip hop group widely considered one of the seminal acts of the It dominated the hip-hop air waves in the early and mid-1990s with the popularity of G-funk. G-funk, or Gangsta Funk, is a type of Hip hop music that emerged from West Coast Gangsta rap in the early 1990s The release of Dr. Dre's The Chronic had led to the West Coast's peak. Andre Romelle Young (born February 18 1965 primarily known by his stage name Dr The Chronic is the Debut album of Hip hop producer and rapper Dr
The center of West Coast hip hop is the Los Angeles area, but can also include the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle. Los Angeles County is a county in California and is by far the most populous county in the United States. The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, or the Bay, is a geographically and ethnically diverse metropolitan region that surrounds the Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally Phoenix (ˈfiːˌnɪks O'odham Skikik, Yavapai Wasinka, Western Apache Fiinigis, Navajo Hoozdo, Portland is a city located in the Northwestern United States, near the Confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers
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Origins and early success (1980s–1992)
- See also: Golden age hip hop
1980s
The origins of West Coast hip hop can be traced back to the late 1970s. Hip hop's "golden age" is a name given to a period in mainstream Hip hop —usually cited as the late 1980s—said to be characterized by its diversity quality innovation After its invention in New York City, hip hop music started to spread across the country. The City of New York It quickly jumped coasts to California, where a strong presence of African Americans embraced hip-hop, prominently in block parties and some clubs. However, the West Coast scene became truly established during the 1980s as hip hop music first gained national appeal, and established itself in California in general (and in Los Angeles in particular). Early hardcore rap performers included SF Bay Area's Too Short, who started rapping as early as 1983 and put out three independent albums beginning in 1985 before his 1987 major-label debut, Born to Mack, went gold. The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, or the Bay, is a geographically and ethnically diverse metropolitan region that surrounds the Todd Anthony Shaw (born April 28 1966) better known by his Stage name Too Short (seen on album covers as Too $hort) is an American Born to Mack is a 1987 album by Too $hort, his first major album release Too Short would release 2 more albums before 1991 that went platinum and double platinum respectively. In Los Angeles during the same period, artists like Ice T, Capitan Rapp, King Tee, Toddy Tee, Mixmaster Spade, and C.I.A. gained prominence, while World Class Wreckin' Cru, DJ Unknown, Egyptian Lover and the Arabian Prince innovated a style called electro hop (or simply electro), essentially a hybrid of dance music and rap - following the lead of Afrika Bambaataa, who had originally created hip hop by mixing together reggae, funk, and German techno. King Tee, also spelled King T, (born Roger McBride in Compton California) is an American West coast rapper from Compton The Rhyme Syndicate was Ice-T 's posse of Rappers DJs and friends The Rhyme Syndicate also lent its name to Ice-T's first record company Rhyme Mixmaster Spade (born ? &ndash died March 14 2005) in Los Angeles California) was a hip hop artist CIA (Cru' in Action! was a hip hop group which consisted of K-Dee, Sir Jinx and Ice Cube. The World Class Wreckin' Cru was a 1980s Electro-hop group from Compton, California formed by the Eve After Dark nightclub owner and established DJ Alonzo Egyptian Lover (born Greg Broussard on August 31, 1963) is an American Electro-hop musician vocalist producer and DJ and was an Arabian Prince is the Stage name of Mik Lezan (born June 17, 1965 in Compton, California) a rapper and Electro ( electro-boogie, electro-funk) is a Genre of Electronic music directly influenced by the use of TR-808 and Funk This article is about music for dancing in general You may also be looking for Electronic dance music. Afrika Bambaataa (born Kevin Donovan on April 17, 1957) is an American DJ from the South Bronx, who was instrumental in the Electro hop was a less funky, more bass-heavy West Coast sound, similar to Florida rap group 2 Live Crew and the Miami bass scene. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the 2 Live Crew is a hip hop group from Miami Florida. They caused considerable controversy with the Sexual themes in their work particularly on their Miami bass (also known as booty music, a term that may also include other genres such as Dirty rap) is a type of Hip hop music that became However, hip hop followers didn't fully accept electro hop in the long run, and it had all but disappeared by the mid-1990s.
Gangsta rap
The "gangsta rap" movement also originated in California in the 1980s, serving as a sharp contrast to electro hop and other lighter forms of hip hop. For the Ice T album see Gangsta Rap (album. Gangsta rap is a term originated by the mainstream media to describe a certain subgenre Ice-T's "6 In The Mornin'" (1986) received some national exposure while his 1987 recording Rhyme Pays was a landmark for the genre and could be considered one of the first purely gangsta rap albums. Rhyme Pays is the debut album of Ice T, released in 1987. The album especially tracks like "6 'N the Mornin'" is considered to have It managed to go gold. N.W.A.'s N.W.A. and the Posse came out shortly thereafter. NWA (also known as Niggaz with Attitudes) was a Compton, California -based hip hop group widely considered one of the seminal acts of the NWA and the Posse was a 1987 Macola Records release that compiled various Dr The CD was a compilation album of loosely connected rappers under the name "N. W. A. " ("Niggaz With Attitude"). While not proving to be popular nor having a major affect on hip hop, it set up N. W. A. for their follow up album, which is credited for popularizing gangsta rap to this day. It was about a year after their first album that the group was shortened to the members Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella and the addition of MC Ren; along with continued contributions from unofficial members The D.O.C. and Arabian Prince. Eric Lynn Wright (September 7 1963 – March 26 1995 better known by the stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper, producer, and Record executive O'Shea Jackson (born June 15 1969 better known by his Stage name Ice Cube, is an American Actor, Screenwriter, producer, and Andre Romelle Young (born February 18 1965 primarily known by his stage name Dr DJ Yella is the Stage name of Antoine Carraby (born December 11, 1967) a DJ, music producer, and film director from Lorenzo Jerald Patterson (born June 14, 1969 in Compton, California) better known by his Stage name MC Ren, is a rapper Tracy Lynn Curry, known as The DOC, is an American rapper. He was a member of the Fila Fresh Crew and a creative force behind the rap group N Arabian Prince is the Stage name of Mik Lezan (born June 17, 1965 in Compton, California) a rapper and
In 1988, the N.W.A. released their blockbuster, Straight Outta Compton, and put the West Coast on the hip hop map. NWA (also known as Niggaz with Attitudes) was a Compton, California -based hip hop group widely considered one of the seminal acts of the Straight Outta Compton is the second album by Compton -based hip hop group N Hip hop is a Subculture, which is said to have begun with the work of DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, and Afrika Bambaattaa Their sound was influenced by hardcore, metal-tinged rap performers like Ice-T, and 1970s soul music and p-funk. Soul music is a Music genre that combines Rhythm and blues and Gospel music, originating in the United States. P-Funk (also spelled P Funk or P Funk) is a shorthand term for the repertoire and performers associated with George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic Straight Outta Compton united these sounds with minimalistic beats and blunt, hard-hitting lyrics filled with references to (and often promotions of) violence, hedonism, and the criminal lifestyle. Violence is the exertion of force so as to injure or abuse The word is used broadly to describe the destructive action of natural phenomena like Storms and Earthquakes Hedonism is the Philosophy that Pleasure is of ultimate importance, the most important pursuit In the sociological field, crime is the breach of a rule or Law for which some governing authority or force may ultimately prescribe a Punishment Individual members also were able to write pages in hip-hop history. Shortly after Straight Outta Compton was released, Eazy-E released his wildly received debut album, Eazy-Duz-It, in 1988, with most of the production done by Dr. Eric Lynn Wright (September 7 1963 – March 26 1995 better known by the stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper, producer, and Record executive Eazy-Duz-It is the debut album from late rapper Eazy-E (of NW Dre. In 1989, unofficial member The D.O.C. (a Texas native) released his solo debut album No One Can Do It Better which managed to be released with critical acclaim, (including a 5 Mic rating from The Source) and sold over a million copies. Tracy Lynn Curry, known as The DOC, is an American rapper. He was a member of the Fila Fresh Crew and a creative force behind the rap group N Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. No One Can Do It Better is The DOC 's debut album It went platinum The Source is a United States -based monthly full-color Magazine covering Hip-hop music, Politics, and culture, founded in When Ice Cube left the group in 1989 his lyrics and delivery earned him two platinum and widely acclaimed (both gaining the highest ratings from The Source) albums in AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted and Death Certificate released in 1990 and 1991 respectively. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted is rapper Ice Cube 's influential debut solo album released after his acrimonious split from his former group N This is the article about Ice Cube 's album For the document concerning a person's death see Death certificate. The remaining members of the group followed up by releasing Efil4zaggin which leaned more towards violent, criminal rap that became more growingly associated with hip-hop and became the first gangsta rap album to reach number 1 on the Billboard charts. Niggaz4Life (also known as Efil4zaggin) was the 4th and final studio album by Gangsta rap group N After this the group would break up with Dr. Dre leaving the label to sign to Death Row Records. Death Row Records was a Record label that was founded in 1991 by Dr
Early 1990s
However, like N. W. A. , some of its individual members would go on to form moderate (ie. MC Eiht of Compton's Most Wanted) to successful (ie. Aaron Tyler (born on May 22, 1967 in Compton) better known by his Stage name MC Eiht, is an American Gangsta rapper Compton's Most Wanted is a Classic Gangsta rap group and one of the pioneers of the West Coast Hip Hop scene still performing today on Independent 2Pac of Digital Underground) solo careers, and continue to build upon West Coast rap. Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16 1971 &mdash September 13 1996 also known by his Stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper Digital Underground is an alternative rap group from Oakland California. During 2Pac's early career, he would rap about many social and political issues with the albums 2Pacalypse Now and Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. before his style began to lean towards gangsta/thug rap in the mid-1990s. Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16 1971 &mdash September 13 1996 also known by his Stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper 2Pacalypse Now is the Debut album of Tupac Shakur, released in November 1991 Strictly 4 My NIGGAZ is the sophomore album released by rapper 2Pac.
Latin rap also got its first start during this time. While previously being restricted to New York, West Coast artists like Kid Frost and Mellow Man Ace were pioneers in the sub-genre. Arturo Raymond Molina Jr (born May 31, 1962 in East Los Angeles California) better known as Frost (Originally Kid Frost) is a Ulpiano Sergio Reyes (born April 12 1967) is a Cuban Rapper known as Mellow Man Ace and original member of the rap group Cypress Although not popular at the time, these artists paved the way for the most successful Latin rap group/artist to ever come out, the South Gate, CA natives, Cypress Hill. South Gate is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles California.
Other contributions
West Coast hip hop also received early contributions from groups based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Oakland in particular. The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, or the Bay, is a geographically and ethnically diverse metropolitan region that surrounds the Oakland (ˈoʊklənd founded in 1852 is the eighth-largest city in the U Too Short, for instance, was a giant in the genre, and MC Hammer was one of the first "pop-rap" national superstars. Todd Anthony Shaw (born April 28 1966) better known by his Stage name Too Short (seen on album covers as Too $hort) is an American MC Hammer (born Stanley Kirk Burrell; March 30, 1962) is an American MC most popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s known for his Both artists began their rap careers on the streets of Oakland, and the radically different paths their careers have taken are indicative of the fracturing of hip hop culture into multiple sub-genres over the last twenty years. Its varied levels of success have never failed to make The Bay's music popular among its own people.
Seattle, Washington, although primarily being known as the center of grunge rock, has also had an active scene from early on, including the artist Sir Mix-a-Lot. Sir Mix-a-Lot or Sir Mixalot (born Anthony Ray, August 12, 1963) is a Grammy Award -winning rapper and producer The Sacramento rappers have also tried to give West Coast a bigger name with rappers like Brotha Lynch Hung, X-Raided and others of there. Kevin Mann, better known by his Stage name Brotha Lynch Hung, is an American Rapper from Sacramento California. Anerae Veshaughn Brown, better known as X-Raided, is an American rapper from Sacramento California.
Golden era of West Coast hip hop (1992–1996)
With the almost worldwide success of N. W. A. , the West Coast had finally established a style that matched the intensity and grit of the hip hop that was coming from the East Coast at the time. East Coast hip hop is the original style of Hip hop music that originated in New York City, USA, during the early-1970s In gangsta rap, the West Coast scene had a voice that could compete with Public Enemy, KRS-One, and other East Coast powerhouses. For the Ice T album see Gangsta Rap (album. Gangsta rap is a term originated by the mainstream media to describe a certain subgenre Public Enemy, also known as PE, is an influential hip hop group from Long Island New York, known for its politically charged Lyrics, criticism Lawrence Krishna Parker (born August 20 1965) better known by his stage name KRS-One, is an American Rapper. Although N. W. A. would eventually split, its remaining members continued to build, popularize, and revolutionize on the foundation the group had laid.
Three of N. W. A. 's most prominent members, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, and Dr. Dre, launched successful solo careers after the group's dissolution. O'Shea Jackson (born June 15 1969 better known by his Stage name Ice Cube, is an American Actor, Screenwriter, producer, and Eric Lynn Wright (September 7 1963 – March 26 1995 better known by the stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper, producer, and Record executive Andre Romelle Young (born February 18 1965 primarily known by his stage name Dr Ice Cube's style was more militant, angry, racially charged, and political, while Eazy-E's style was more violent gangsta rap mixed with some g-funk. For the British newspaper and Marxist organization see Militant tendency. Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions
G-funk
Above The Law's style, innovated with Dre Dre, dubbed "g-funk" or "gangsta funk" (also known as "ghetto funk"), was slower and more melodic, with heavy basslines topped by flutes and p-funk samples, and finished with a slurring, often whimsical lyrical delivery. G-funk, or Gangsta Funk, is a type of Hip hop music that emerged from West Coast Gangsta rap in the early 1990s G-funk, or Gangsta Funk, is a type of Hip hop music that emerged from West Coast Gangsta rap in the early 1990s P-Funk (also spelled P Funk or P Funk) is a shorthand term for the repertoire and performers associated with George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic The genre was characterized by a generally hedonistic subject matter including violence, sex, and drug use, and a slurred "lazy drawl" that was said to sacrifice lyrical complexity for clarity and rhythmic cadence. Dr. Dre's debut album, The Chronic released in 1992, is widely considered to be a seminal work in the genre and not only established the dominant sound of hip hop music for years to come, but also launched the careers of several key West Coast hip hop artists, including, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Dat Nigga Daz, Kurupt, RBX, Nate Dogg and Warren G. The Chronic is the Debut album of Hip hop producer and rapper Dr Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr (born October 20 1971 His mother nicknamed him " Snoopy " as a child because of the way he dressed and because of his love of Delmar Drew Arnaud (born on May 25 1973 in Long Beach California) better known by his Stage name Daz Dillinger (and formerly Dat Kurupt (born Ricardo Emmanuel Brown) is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records. RBX ("Reality Born Unknown" born Eric Collins, is an American rapper from Long Beach California. Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (born August 19 1969 better known by his Stage name Nate Dogg, is a Grammy -nominated American R&B / Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970 in Long Beach California) better known by his Stage name Warren G, is an American Dr. Dre would continue to refine his work on Snoop Doggy Dogg's debut album Doggystyle, which launched Snoop Dogg into one of the most well known rap careers ever. Doggystyle is the 1993 debut album by American West Coast hip hop artist Snoop Doggy Dogg, released by Death Row Records. Furthermore, the album's success established Death Row as a dominant force in gangsta rap. Death Row Records was a Record label that was founded in 1991 by Dr G-funk also became the dominant genre of West Coast rap for years to come for new and veteran artists alike easily put the West on the map.
After the release of The Chronic, many producers from the West Coast, and even some from the East Coast, began producing in the g-funk style or imitating it. Most notably, producers Warren G and DJ Quik produced their most well-known material in the g-funk era, Dr. David Martin Blake (born January 18, 1970 in Compton, California) better known by his Stage name DJ Quik, is a Rapper Dre's fellow Death Row "inmate" Dat Nigga Daz produced Tha Dogg Pound's debut album, Dogg Food, in the same style. Tha Dogg Pound, also known as DPG (Dogg Pound Gangstaz is a rap group made up of Kurupt and Daz Dillinger. Dogg Food is the debut album by the Tha Dogg Pound. Its controversial lyrics were the subject of Shareholder protest (the album was supposed to be
Lasting influences in hip-hop that have carried on even to this day include heavy use of funk-style synthesizers, and hooks sung using a talk box in a style pioneered by funk singer Roger Troutman. A talk box is an effects device that allows a musician to modify the sound of a Musical instrument. Roger Troutman ( November 29 1951 &ndash April 25 1999) was the lead singer of the band Zapp who helped to pave the way for
East Coast vs. West Coast
While the beginnings of the rivalry between coastlines can be tracked back to N. The East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry was a feud in the early-mid 1990s between artists and fans of the East Coast and West Coast hip-hop scenes W. A, Tim Dog was a Bronx rapper to start and take shots at the West Coast scene plus many rappers including N. Tim Dog (real name Timothy Blair) is an American Rapper from The Bronx, New York who rose to prominence during the early '90s with his debut W. A, DJ Quik, Snoop Dogg and received response from not only them but also from other Compton natives, Tweedy Bird Loc and MC Eiht. David Martin Blake (born January 18, 1970 in Compton, California) better known by his Stage name DJ Quik, is a Rapper Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr (born October 20 1971 His mother nicknamed him " Snoopy " as a child because of the way he dressed and because of his love of Compton is a city located in Southern Los Angeles County California, USA, south-southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Tweedy Bird Loc is an American Rapper from Compton, California. Aaron Tyler (born on May 22, 1967 in Compton) better known by his Stage name MC Eiht, is an American Gangsta rapper While 2Pac was working on his third album Me Against the World in 1994, he was shot by muggers in the lobby of a New York City recording studio that friend The Notorious B.I.G. was recording at. Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16 1971 &mdash September 13 1996 also known by his Stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper Me Against the World is the third hip hop album by 2Pac, released on March 14 1995. The City of New York Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21 1972 – March 9 1997 popularly known as Biggie Smalls (after a Gangster in the 1975 film Let's Do It Again While serving prison time for sexual assault, 2Pac accused The Notorious B. I. G. and Puff Daddy, amongst others, of having prior knowledge of the shooting. Sean John Combs (born November 4 1969 known by his Stage names Puff Daddy, P This series of events sparked an inter coastal war between Bad Boy Entertainment (owned by Puff Daddy) and Death Row Records (owned by Suge Knight). Bad Boy Records (originally Bad Boy Entertainment) is an East Coast Hip-Hop / R&B Record label founded by producer/rapper Sean Death Row Records was a Record label that was founded in 1991 by Dr Marion Hugh Knight Jr, better known as Suge Knight, is an Entrepreneur in the Hip hop music industry and co-founder and CEO of Death
The tension between Death Row and Bad Boy increased as both labels released a series of scathing tracks blatantly filled with insults, threats, and accusations targeted at the opposing labels. The rivalry ended when 2Pac was fatally shot in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1996, a slaying that The Notorious B.I.G. was suspected by the public to be involved in. Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21 1972 – March 9 1997 popularly known as Biggie Smalls (after a Gangster in the 1975 film Let's Do It Again The Notorious B. I. G. was also fatally shot in Los Angeles, California, in a similar fashion to 2Pac, six months later. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West
Popularity
The coastal rivalry raised Death Row Records to notorious status. Combined with the rise of g-funk, West Coast artists like Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, 2Pac, and Tha Dogg Pound all released multi-platinum albums on Death Row Records. Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr (born October 20 1971 His mother nicknamed him " Snoopy " as a child because of the way he dressed and because of his love of Andre Romelle Young (born February 18 1965 primarily known by his stage name Dr Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16 1971 &mdash September 13 1996 also known by his Stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper Tha Dogg Pound, also known as DPG (Dogg Pound Gangstaz is a rap group made up of Kurupt and Daz Dillinger. Although enjoying much success because of surrounding controversy, many critically acclaimed albums that are now considered classics in hip hop history were released during this time such as All Eyez on Me, The Chronic, Doggystyle, Dogg Food, and Tha Doggfather . All Eyez on Me is the fifth studio album and a Double album by U The Chronic is the Debut album of Hip hop producer and rapper Dr Doggystyle is the 1993 debut album by American West Coast hip hop artist Snoop Doggy Dogg, released by Death Row Records. Dogg Food is the debut album by the Tha Dogg Pound. Its controversial lyrics were the subject of Shareholder protest (the album was supposed to be Tha Doggfather is Snoop Doggy Dogg 's follow up to his debut album Doggystyle, released by Death Row Records in 1996 At the height of its popularity, West Coast artists were selling three times more than their East Coast rivals. Meanwhile, other gangsta rap artists from California were also enjoying much success, if not as much as Death Row artists. Warren G, DJ Quik, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and Westside Connection all debuted or continued to release gangsta rap/g-funk albums in the early and mid-1990s, which enjoyed at least moderate success. Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970 in Long Beach California) better known by his Stage name Warren G, is an American David Martin Blake (born January 18, 1970 in Compton, California) better known by his Stage name DJ Quik, is a Rapper Eric Lynn Wright (September 7 1963 – March 26 1995 better known by the stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper, producer, and Record executive Westside Connection is a group originally consisting of Ice Cube, WC and Mack 10.
On the other side of the coin, non Death Row artists were rising to popularity. Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16 1971 &mdash September 13 1996 also known by his Stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper All Eyez on Me is the fifth studio album and a Double album by U Coolio released his platinum selling album It Takes a Thief and his multi-platinum and world famous album Gangsta's Paradise in 1994 and 1995 respectively. Artis Leon Ivey Jr (born August 1 1963 better known by his Stage name Coolio, is a Grammy Award -winning American Rapper and It Takes a Thief is Coolio 's debut album " Fantastic Voyage," a hit from the 1970s returned to the charts after its release off this album Gangsta's Paradise is the second Album by rapper Coolio, released on November 21, 1995. Mack 10 released his self titled album in 1995 and managed to go gold. Dedrick Rolison (born August 9, 1971) is an American Gangsta rapper and Actor best known by his Stage name Mack Too Short and newcomer E-40 pushed the Bay Area to a rare level of moderate success, with E-40 releasing his second album, In a Major Way in 1995, which went gold (and eventually went platinum 7 years after it was released). Earl Stevens (born November 15, 1967) best known by his Stage name E-40, is a Bay Area rapper, part of the Bay Area rap Too Short continued to release music about pimp lifestyle and drugs that helped him receive 4 platinum albums between 1992 and 1996 . Eazy-E's Ruthless Records held a string of artists on its roster matching the label's hardcore, violent style in artists such as MC Ren, B.G. Knocc Out, Dresta and Kokane. Eric Lynn Wright (September 7 1963 – March 26 1995 better known by the stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper, producer, and Record executive Ruthless Records, pronounced roofless records is an Imprint Record label formed by Gangsta rapper Eazy-E with partner Jerry Heller Lorenzo Jerald Patterson (born June 14, 1969 in Compton, California) better known by his Stage name MC Ren, is a rapper Al Hasan Naqiyy, known by his stage name BG Knocc Out, is an American West Coast rap legend best known for collaborating with Eazy-E on Andre DeSean Wicker (born April 18, 1971 in Compton, California) known as Gangsta Dresta or simply Dresta, is an Jerry Long Jr (born in the South Bronx around 1969) better known by his stage name Kokane, is a rapper from Pomona California best known The earliest success of Latin rap also came from this time, as Cypress Hill released a string of platinum selling albums in the early and mid-1990s while at the same time continuing to pioneer Latin rap set forth by fellow West Coast rapper Kid Frost. Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles California. Arturo Raymond Molina Jr (born May 31, 1962 in East Los Angeles California) better known as Frost (Originally Kid Frost) is a Their style mixed Latin rap with gangsta rap and g-funk to create a seminal work in the genre and made them the first Latin rappers to have gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums. Their first two albums (and to a lesser degree, their third) were met with great critical acclaim.
While not nearly as successful commercially, Bay Area rappers were also starting to emerge and contribute to West Coast hip hop. The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, or the Bay, is a geographically and ethnically diverse metropolitan region that surrounds the Rapping (also known as emceeing, MCing, spitting, or just rhyming) is the Rhythmic spoken delivery of Rhymes wordplay and Hip hop is a cultural movement which developed in New York City in the 1970s primarily among African Americans and Latinos. Spice 1, Keak Da Sneak, San Quinn, The Luniz, B-Legit, E-A-Ski, Ant Banks, Mac Dre, and many others began releasing a wide range of albums at this time. Spice 1 (born Robert L Green Jr in Corsicana Texas) is a West Coast rapper raised in Hayward California, best known for his acclaimed self-titled Charles Toby Bowens (born October 21, 1977) commonly known by his stage name Keak da Sneak, is a Rapper from Oakland California Quincy Brooks IV (born October 24, 1978) better known by his Stage name San Quinn, is an American Rapper from San Francisco Luniz (formerly Lunitunz) is a platinum-selling rap duo from Oakland, California formed by rappers Yukmouth and Numskull Brandt Jones, better known by his Stage name B-Legit, is a Rapper from Vallejo, California. Shon Adams, better known by his Stage name E-A-Ski, is an American Rapper and producer from Oakland California. Anthony Banks, known simply as Ant Banks, is a producer and rapper from Oakland California. Andre Hicks ( July 5, 1970 – November 1, 2004) better known by his Stage name, Mac Dre. Though most of them were most popular in California. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean.
Following incidents with the two Coasts, Death Row Records' success diminished as Dr. Dre departed to form Aftermath Entertainment, 2Pac got murdered, and Snoop Dogg left to join No Limit Records. There is also another similarly titled record label Aftermath Music, which is based in Norway. No Limit Records is a Record label that began in 1990 as the No Limit Record Shop in Richmond California. Gangsta rap disappeared from the national spotlight and the resulting void was filled by East Coast pop-rap acts such as Puff Daddy, Mase, and actor/musician Will Smith. This article is about the rapper For the basketball player nicknamed 'Mase' see Anthony Mason. By 1997, West Coast hip hop had begun to diminish from the mainstream media, though still popular in it's home region.
Underground development
In the late 1990s, the West Coast's underground hip hop scene began to gain prominence as underground hip hop started to boom as artists tried to stray away from the negativity gangsta rap brought the Coast. Underground Hip-hop, Underground Rap, or Undie (to draw comparison to "indie" or independent rock is an Umbrella term for Hip-hop Artists like Blackalicious, Zion I, The Pharcyde, Aceyalone, The BUMS, Hieroglyphics, Jurassic 5, The Coup, Ozomatli, Spearhead, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Souls of Mischief, Planet Asia, and others (most of whom self-identify as "conscious" artists, and all of whom include political, social, or insightful messages in their music) gained recognition without being signed to major labels. Blackalicious is a California -based hip hop duo made up of rapper Gift of Gab (born Timothy Parker and DJ / producer Zion I (pronounced "Zion Eye" are a hip hop duo from Oakland California. The Pharcyde is an Alternative hip hop group from the West coast of the United States Eddie Hayes, better known by his stage name Aceyalone, is an American Rapper. Hieroglyphics, also known as the Hieroglyphics Crew and Hiero, are an American underground hip hop collective based in Oakland Jurassic 5 was an American Alternative hip hop group formed in 1993 by rappers Chali 2na, Akil, Zaakir aka Soup, Mark The Coup is a Political hip hop group based in Oakland California. Ozomatli is a multiethnic currently eight piece band (although they have had as many as ten members and as few as six playing primarily Latin hip hop and rock formed in Michael Franti (born April 21, 1966, in Oakland California) is an American Poet, Musician, and Composer Del tha Funkee Homosapien is an Alternative hip hop artist Del was born Teren Delvon Jones on August 12, 1972 in Oakland, California Souls of Mischief is an Alternative hip hop group from Oakland California, that is also part of the hip hop collective, Hieroglyphics. Planet Asia also known as King Medallions (real name Jason Green is an Underground hip hop rapper from Fresno California who is a member of hiphop Other artists such as Dilated Peoples and The Black Eyed Peas while signed to major labels, failed to break out into the mainstream for lack of promotion or other reasons yet still had the same style and maintained an underground following. Dilated Peoples is an Underground hip hop group residing in California. The Black Eyed Peas is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles. Eventually The Black Eyed Peas would later find success in the 2000's after releasing the album "Elephunk" with a more mainstream sound. The Black Eyed Peas is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles.
Gangsta rap's decline
Despite the emergence of the underground movement as a factor at the turn of the century, gangsta rap was still the dominant genre of West Coast hip hop, although the sound and feel of the music had began to change since the g-funk era. Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre continued to be major players in the national mainstream, but other artists from the 1990s and local gangsta rap artists continued to struggle for name recognition, having enjoyed less commercial success than their East Coast and Southern counterparts. While the West Coast still got some exposure such as Dr. Dre's second album 2001, Xzibit's introduction to the mainstream, and Snoop Dogg's work with Tha Eastsidaz, most artists like Warren G, Kurupt, WC, Mack 10, DJ Quik, and Daz, and the remaining veteran artists of the 1990s continued to rapidly lose recognition among music fans. 2001, sometimes referred to by fans as The Chronic 2001, Dr Dre 2001 and The Chronic 2, is the second album by Hip hop producer Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, better known by his Stage name Xzibit (pronounced as "exhibit" is an American rapper, Actor, and Tha Eastsidaz originally spelled as the Eastsiders was a hip hop group of somewhat reforming the LBC Crew with Snoop Dogg Lil' C-Style and Techniec Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970 in Long Beach California) better known by his Stage name Warren G, is an American Kurupt (born Ricardo Emmanuel Brown) is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records. William L Calhoun Jr (born in 1970 better known by his Stage name WC pronounced "Dub-C" and not "Double-U-C" is an American Dedrick Rolison (born August 9, 1971) is an American Gangsta rapper and Actor best known by his Stage name Mack David Martin Blake (born January 18, 1970 in Compton, California) better known by his Stage name DJ Quik, is a Rapper Delmar Drew Arnaud (born on May 25 1973 in Long Beach California) better known by his Stage name Daz Dillinger (and formerly Dat While newer rappers like Yukmouth, Jayo Felony, and Ras Kass were able to begin strong leads in California and trying to bring gangsta rap to a new level. Jerold Dwight Ellis III (born on October 18, 1974 in Oakland, California) better known by his Stage name Yukmouth, is James Savage, better known by his Stage name, Jayo Felony is a Rapper from southeast San Diego, California. John Austin IV (born September 26, 1973 in Carson California) better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American
Birth of hyphy music
Hyphy music also began to develop around this time, originating in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hyphy (ˈhaɪfiː HYE-fee) is a slang word created by Bay Area Rapper Keak Da Sneak which is used in the San Francisco Bay Area that literally means The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, or the Bay, is a geographically and ethnically diverse metropolitan region that surrounds the While The Bay was an early contributor to hip hop, like the rest of West Coast rap, it was on the decline in the late 1990s. Around the turn of the millennium, a new sub-genre of hip hop emerged and flourished almost exclusively in The Bay. While Bay Area music was still considered new hip hop to some, (despite success from Yukmouth, Too Short and E-40) it was continually building up since the early 1990s. The earliest pioneers included Keak da Sneak (who coined the word "hyphy") and Mac Dre (the purveyor of thizz culture), with later push by E-40 (the "Ambassador of the Bay"). Charles Toby Bowens (born October 21, 1977) commonly known by his stage name Keak da Sneak, is a Rapper from Oakland California Andre Hicks ( July 5, 1970 – November 1, 2004) better known by his Stage name, Mac Dre. Earl Stevens (born November 15, 1967) best known by his Stage name E-40, is a Bay Area rapper, part of the Bay Area rap While some automatically associate The Bay with hyphy music and vice versa, the music from Bay Area isn't exclusively hyphy (although hyphy is almost exclusively in The Bay Area). The hyphy culture also grew with its music, creating a trend of dances, slang, and behaviour associated with it, some of which The Bay claims has been stolen by other artists. Hyphy's style of exuberant energy, "going dumb" and excessive behaviour was a sharp contrast to the steryotypical Southern California's style of music of gangs, violence, low riders and having a serious/cool persona, which dominated rap; hyphy's style didn't overwhelmingly associate itself with these topics. Southern California, or So Cal, is defined as the southern portion of the U
West Coast hip hop today (2004–present)
West Coast rap seems to be fighting to be part of the mainstream again as there is on going a third generation of artists. The Game's album The Documentary along with a well publicized argument with 50 Cent has received more attention to the West Coast, and he is said to be the driving force behind West Coast rap. Jayceon Terrell Taylor (born November 29 1979 better known by his Stage name The Game, is an American Rapper. The Documentary is the debut album by West Coast rapper The Game, released on January 18 2005 through Interscope Records.
Since The Game released The Documentary, artists like Glasses Malone, Bishop Lamont, Raje', Omar Cruz, Crooked I, JT the Bigga Figga, Lil Eazy-E, Eastwood,Down a. Charles Penniman (born in Los Angeles, California) better known by his stage name Glasses Malone or G Philip Martin (born October 31 1978 Inglewood California) better known by his stage name Bishop Lamont, is an American Rapper Dominick Wickliffe, better known by his stage name Crooked I is an American rapper. JT the Bigga Figga born Joseph Tom is a hip hop producer / Rapper from San Francisco California 's Fillmore neighborhood Eastwood is a West Coast rapper that was born in East LA and raised in Inglewood California (his name is a combination of the two places k. a. Kilo, Bailey, Clyde Carson (of The Team), Spider Loc, The Fixxers, Hood Surgeon, and Ya Boy have all received increased attention with regard to future releases (as it should be since J. The Team is a rap group from Oakland and Berkeley, California. The Team is a rap group from Oakland and Berkeley, California. Curtis Norvell Williams (born February 14 1979 in Compton California) more commonly known as Spider Loc, is an American rapper The Fixxers is a group formed in late 2006 by Quik and AMG. Their debut album The Midnite Life, features the single "Can U Werk Wit Dat William Joseph Crawford (born on January 28, 1984) better known by his stage name Ya Boy, is an American rapper from the Fillmore District of T. The Bigga Figga helped launch his star-studded career). The Bay Area is also picking up steam with their sub-genre of music hyphy music, promoted by long time veteran E-40. Earl Stevens (born November 15, 1967) best known by his Stage name E-40, is a Bay Area rapper, part of the Bay Area rap While other artists like Guerilla Black, Roscoe, Sly Boogy, Freaks, Mistah F.A.B., and The Federation, Mykestro, and Cashis are also trying to help re-introduce West Coast rap to the world, the West Coast still has to compete with a market dominated by Southern artists that even East Coast rappers have trouble competing with. Charles Singh Williamson (born in 1977 better known by his stage name Guerilla Black is a Rapper from Compton California. David Williams (born 1983) better know by his Stage name Roscoe, is a Rapper from Philadelphia Pennsylvania and Los Angeles Mistah FAB (born Stanley P Cox on January 23 1982) is an American rapper from North Oakland California. Ramone Johnson, better known by his Stage name Cashis / Ca$his, is an American rapper born and raised in Chicago Combined with the continued growth of Pop-rap or commercialism, this has led to a mystery regarding which direction the current generation of rappers will go. Pop rap (or hip-pop) is hip hop with a Pop music influence The style became popular in the early 1990s as hip hop music found commercial success As of right now, The Game, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, E-40, Too Short, Nate Dogg, and Ice Cube seem to be the only artists in 2006 that have created strong leads in mainstream hip hop. After the success of his album R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece, Snoop Dogg convoked West Coast artists (about 65 people) into a meeting called the Western Conference on July 4, 2005. R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta The Masterpiece is an Album by rapper Snoop Dogg. " Ups & Downs "/" Bang Out " is the fourth single of Snoop Dogg 's album R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta The Masterpiece. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. They agreed to join forces again and to end long standing arguments between each other in hopes of helping West Coast music back to its once reigning place through unity. It served as occasion for several members to announce cease-fires in their arguments including the reconciliation of Tha Dogg Pound, Jayo Felony and Snoop Dogg, and The Game and JT the Bigga Figga. Tha Dogg Pound, also known as DPG (Dogg Pound Gangstaz is a rap group made up of Kurupt and Daz Dillinger. Snoop Dogg offered his label Doggystyle Records and his CEO position at Koch Records to be an "engine" of the movement, and that he will promote with his name. Doggystyle Records (originally Dogghouse Records) is a Record label founded by Snoop Dogg at the end of his self-described " Servitude " Koch Records, the primary subsidiary of Koch Entertainment LP is the largest Independent record label in the United States. Dr. Dre announced he will release his third and final album, Detox, in September 2007, which has been pushed to mid 2008
However, for much of the 2000s, the West Coast continued losing its appeal to the (then growing) Dirty South. Detox is the upcoming third and final Studio album by Rapper and Record producer Dr Southern hip hop is a form of American hip hop music that emerged from a club oriented vibe in the late-1990s as a popular force from cities including but not limited to In particular, Southern rap experienced mainstream popularity in 2003. Since 2000, The Game remains the only rapper to sell a multi-platinum album on the West Coast (aside from The Black Eyed Peas, who do not follow traditional West Coast hip hop music and are often overlooked).
One of the popular underground styles of dancing called krumping has started to become more mainstream due to the popularity of the David LaChapelle film Rize. Krumping is an urban Street dance -form that began in South Central Los Angeles by Tight Eyez and Big Mijo David LaChapelle (born March 11, 1963 in Fairfield Connecticut) is a photographer and director who works in the fields of Fashion, Advertising Rize ( Greek: Riza, რიზე Ռիզե is the capital of Rize Province, in northeast Turkey, on the Black Sea
Major Areas of Influence
Los Angeles
- Main articles: Music of California
In the early 1980s, recorded hip hop from Los Angeles began in a kind of electronic dance music called electro hop; these included artist such as the Arabian Prince, Egyptian Lover, and World Class Wreckin' Cru. In the United States, California is commonly associated with the Film, Music, and Arts industries; there are numerous world-famous Electro ( electro-boogie, electro-funk) is a Genre of Electronic music directly influenced by the use of TR-808 and Funk Arabian Prince is the Stage name of Mik Lezan (born June 17, 1965 in Compton, California) a rapper and Egyptian Lover (born Greg Broussard on August 31, 1963) is an American Electro-hop musician vocalist producer and DJ and was an The World Class Wreckin' Cru was a 1980s Electro-hop group from Compton, California formed by the Eve After Dark nightclub owner and established DJ Alonzo The mid-to-late eighties would bring attention to the west coast, such as Ice-T "6'n da Mornin'" (1986), which was one of the first gangsta rap songs. For the Ice T album see Gangsta Rap (album. Gangsta rap is a term originated by the mainstream media to describe a certain subgenre N.W.A. broke through with the groundbreaking Straight Outta Compton and gave the West Coast it's first major record company, Ruthless Records. NWA (also known as Niggaz with Attitudes) was a Compton, California -based hip hop group widely considered one of the seminal acts of the Straight Outta Compton is the second album by Compton -based hip hop group N In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Ruthless Records, pronounced roofless records is an Imprint Record label formed by Gangsta rapper Eazy-E with partner Jerry Heller The departure of Ice Cube, marked the release of AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. O'Shea Jackson (born June 15 1969 better known by his Stage name Ice Cube, is an American Actor, Screenwriter, producer, and AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted is rapper Ice Cube 's influential debut solo album released after his acrimonious split from his former group N With N.W.A.'s break up, Dr. Dre and Suge Knight established Death Row Records, the most prominent West Coast record label. NWA (also known as Niggaz with Attitudes) was a Compton, California -based hip hop group widely considered one of the seminal acts of the Andre Romelle Young (born February 18 1965 primarily known by his stage name Dr Marion Hugh Knight Jr, better known as Suge Knight, is an Entrepreneur in the Hip hop music industry and co-founder and CEO of Death Death Row Records was a Record label that was founded in 1991 by Dr The Chronic served as the showcase for G-Funk era and the start of Snoop Dogg with Doggystyle. The Chronic is the Debut album of Hip hop producer and rapper Dr G-funk, or Gangsta Funk, is a type of Hip hop music that emerged from West Coast Gangsta rap in the early 1990s Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr (born October 20 1971 His mother nicknamed him " Snoopy " as a child because of the way he dressed and because of his love of Doggystyle is the 1993 debut album by American West Coast hip hop artist Snoop Doggy Dogg, released by Death Row Records. Other prominent Los Angeles artists are DJ Quik, The D.O.C., Mack 10, Freestyle Fellowship, The Pharcyde, Coolio, and Cypress Hill. David Martin Blake (born January 18, 1970 in Compton, California) better known by his Stage name DJ Quik, is a Rapper Tracy Lynn Curry, known as The DOC, is an American rapper. He was a member of the Fila Fresh Crew and a creative force behind the rap group N Dedrick Rolison (born August 9, 1971) is an American Gangsta rapper and Actor best known by his Stage name Mack Freestyle Fellowship are a rap group from Los Angeles consisting of rappers Aceyalone, Myka Nyne, P The Pharcyde is an Alternative hip hop group from the West coast of the United States Artis Leon Ivey Jr (born August 1 1963 better known by his Stage name Coolio, is a Grammy Award -winning American Rapper and Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles California. 2Pac's All Eyez On Me showed the peak of West Coast hip hop going 9X platinum. Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16 1971 &mdash September 13 1996 also known by his Stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper All Eyez on Me is the fifth studio album and a Double album by U Since Eazy-E and 2Pac's death, West Coast rap has died down a bit yet still Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, as well as Xzibit, still remain popular. Eric Lynn Wright (September 7 1963 – March 26 1995 better known by the stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper, producer, and Record executive Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16 1971 &mdash September 13 1996 also known by his Stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper Andre Romelle Young (born February 18 1965 primarily known by his stage name Dr Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr (born October 20 1971 His mother nicknamed him " Snoopy " as a child because of the way he dressed and because of his love of Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, better known by his Stage name Xzibit (pronounced as "exhibit" is an American rapper, Actor, and Recently the West Coast has made a comeback with Compton rapper The Game and Black Eyed Peas . Compton is a city located in Southern Los Angeles County California, USA, south-southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Jayceon Terrell Taylor (born November 29 1979 better known by his Stage name The Game, is an American Rapper. The Black Eyed Peas is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles. Also underground artist such as MURS, Jurassic 5, Glasses Malone, and Bishop Lamont has continued to make a buzz. This article is about the rapper The acronym MURS is also used for Multi-Use Radio Service. Jurassic 5 was an American Alternative hip hop group formed in 1993 by rappers Chali 2na, Akil, Zaakir aka Soup, Mark Charles Penniman (born in Los Angeles, California) better known by his stage name Glasses Malone or G Philip Martin (born October 31 1978 Inglewood California) better known by his stage name Bishop Lamont, is an American Rapper
Long Beach
Though technically a part of L. A. 's hip hop scene, Long Beach has gained a name for itself. Led by Snoop Dogg, artists like Warren G, Nate Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound and Tha Eastsidaz have all seen major success. Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr (born October 20 1971 His mother nicknamed him " Snoopy " as a child because of the way he dressed and because of his love of Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970 in Long Beach California) better known by his Stage name Warren G, is an American Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (born August 19 1969 better known by his Stage name Nate Dogg, is a Grammy -nominated American R&B / Tha Dogg Pound, also known as DPG (Dogg Pound Gangstaz is a rap group made up of Kurupt and Daz Dillinger. Tha Eastsidaz originally spelled as the Eastsiders was a hip hop group of somewhat reforming the LBC Crew with Snoop Dogg Lil' C-Style and Techniec Though Long Beach hasn't produced any major new talent, Crooked I has made a buzz around the Los Angeles Area. Dominick Wickliffe, better known by his stage name Crooked I is an American rapper.
The Bay Area
The Bay Area has been a major stage for hip hop since the early eighties, with Too Short being the first hip hop artist to showcase Oakland with his album, Life Is...Too Short. The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, or the Bay, is a geographically and ethnically diverse metropolitan region that surrounds the Todd Anthony Shaw (born April 28 1966) better known by his Stage name Too Short (seen on album covers as Too $hort) is an American Oakland (ˈoʊklənd founded in 1852 is the eighth-largest city in the U Life IsToo Short is a hip-hop Album by Too Short. It was released in 1988 (see 1988 in music) on Jive/RCA Records although In the early 90's, The Bay Area produced successful artists like Digital Underground and MC Hammer. Digital Underground is an alternative rap group from Oakland California. MC Hammer (born Stanley Kirk Burrell; March 30, 1962) is an American MC most popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s known for his Alternative acts such as Souls of Mischief, and Del tha Funkee Homosapien have also seen commercial success. Alternative hip hop (also known as alternative rap) is a genre that is defined in greatly varying ways Souls of Mischief is an Alternative hip hop group from Oakland California, that is also part of the hip hop collective, Hieroglyphics. Del tha Funkee Homosapien is an Alternative hip hop artist Del was born Teren Delvon Jones on August 12, 1972 in Oakland, California 2Pac, who has often been associated with the Los Angeles hip-hop scene, and who has seen major label success throughout the 90's with platinum albums like All Eyez on Me and Me Against the World, has significant roots in the Bay Area, with his earliest success coming from his membership with Digital Underground. Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16 1971 &mdash September 13 1996 also known by his Stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper All Eyez on Me is the fifth studio album and a Double album by U Me Against the World is the third hip hop album by 2Pac, released on March 14 1995. Others rappers like Spice 1 and The Luniz have seen moderate commercial success. Spice 1 (born Robert L Green Jr in Corsicana Texas) is a West Coast rapper raised in Hayward California, best known for his acclaimed self-titled Luniz (formerly Lunitunz) is a platinum-selling rap duo from Oakland, California formed by rappers Yukmouth and Numskull After the death of 2Pac, the West Coast had fell out of major commercial success, until the recent resurgence of The Bay Area hip hop scene, which set the stage for the mega successful Hyphy Movement with its most recognized artist, Mac Dre, gaining widespread popularity after his untimely death in 2004. The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, or the Bay, is a geographically and ethnically diverse metropolitan region that surrounds the Hyphy (ˈhaɪfiː HYE-fee) is a slang word created by Bay Area Rapper Keak Da Sneak which is used in the San Francisco Bay Area that literally means Andre Hicks ( July 5, 1970 – November 1, 2004) better known by his Stage name, Mac Dre. The Hyphy Movement has brought major success to artists like E-40, Keak da Sneak, and The Pack. Hyphy (ˈhaɪfiː HYE-fee) is a slang word created by Bay Area Rapper Keak Da Sneak which is used in the San Francisco Bay Area that literally means Earl Stevens (born November 15, 1967) best known by his Stage name E-40, is a Bay Area rapper, part of the Bay Area rap Charles Toby Bowens (born October 21, 1977) commonly known by his stage name Keak da Sneak, is a Rapper from Oakland California The Pack is a hip hop group from Berkeley California. Biography The group consists of Damonte "Lil Uno" Johnson, Brandon "Lil B" Other hyphy artists such as The Federation, Mistah F.A.B., Baby Bash, Ya Boy, JT the Bigga Figga, and San Quinn has had popular hits. Hyphy (ˈhaɪfiː HYE-fee) is a slang word created by Bay Area Rapper Keak Da Sneak which is used in the San Francisco Bay Area that literally means Mistah FAB (born Stanley P Cox on January 23 1982) is an American rapper from North Oakland California. Ronnie Ray Bryant (born on October 18, 1975 in Vallejo California, U William Joseph Crawford (born on January 28, 1984) better known by his stage name Ya Boy, is an American rapper from the Fillmore District of JT the Bigga Figga born Joseph Tom is a hip hop producer / Rapper from San Francisco California 's Fillmore neighborhood Quincy Brooks IV (born October 24, 1978) better known by his Stage name San Quinn, is an American Rapper from San Francisco In addition, The Bay Area has put out many successful alternative acts that include the likes of Blackalicious, The Coup, Hieroglyphics, and Zion I. The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, or the Bay, is a geographically and ethnically diverse metropolitan region that surrounds the Blackalicious is a California -based hip hop duo made up of rapper Gift of Gab (born Timothy Parker and DJ / producer The Coup is a Political hip hop group based in Oakland California. Hieroglyphics, also known as the Hieroglyphics Crew and Hiero, are an American underground hip hop collective based in Oakland Zion I (pronounced "Zion Eye" are a hip hop duo from Oakland California.
Northern California
Northern California has often been associated with and classified in the Bay Area hip hop scene yet it has gained a name for itself within its major city, Sacramento. Northern California is the northern portion of the US state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, or the Bay, is a geographically and ethnically diverse metropolitan region that surrounds the Blackalicious has been a major underground success. Blackalicious is a California -based hip hop duo made up of rapper Gift of Gab (born Timothy Parker and DJ / producer Other acts such as X-Raided, C-Bo and Brotha Lynch Hung has had moderate underground success. Anerae Veshaughn Brown, better known as X-Raided, is an American rapper from Sacramento California. Shawn Thomas, better known by his stage name C-Bo ( Abbr for Cowboy) is an African-American rapper. Kevin Mann, better known by his Stage name Brotha Lynch Hung, is an American Rapper from Sacramento California.
San Diego
San Diego has a small but active underground hip hop scene. The area has had some artists breakthrough to the mainstream with varying success. Veteran artist Jayo Felony is a prominent West Coast mainstay. James Savage, better known by his Stage name, Jayo Felony is a Rapper from southeast San Diego, California. Rapper/Actor Nick Cannon has enjoyed moderate success. Nicholas Scott "Nick" Cannon (born October 8 1980 is an American Actor and Rapper. Other hip hop performers such as Chicano rappers Lil Rob and Lil Uno have seen great success with Latino and Chicano music outlets. Chicano rap is a subgenre of Hip hop music, Latin rap and Gangsta rap that embodies aspects of West Coast and Southwest Mexican American ( Roberto Flores' (born September 1975 better known as Lil Rob, is a Mexican American ( Chicano) Record producer & Rap artist Chicano (feminine Chicana) is a politically-loaded word for a Mexican American (in the sense of native-born Americans of Mexican ancestry as opposed to Mexican Mitchy Slick is another underground hip hop artist is currently surging in local popularity. Mitchy Slick is an American Rapper from Southeast San Diego. He is an active gang member from the notorious street gang Bloods. Many new San Diego hip hop artists have been labeled as part of the growing New West movement.
Phoenix
Phoenix has never had a large hip hop scene. Atllas has made a name for himself throughout the area. Atllas (born Lloyd Hopkins, April 20 1979) is a Rapper based in Phoenix, Arizona. G-Unit rapper Young Hot Rod has had moderate success. G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City. Rodney Toole is an American rapper known by his stage name Young Hot Rod. Rapper Juice has signed to The Game's Black Wall Street Records. Jayceon Terrell Taylor (born November 29 1979 better known by his Stage name The Game, is an American Rapper. The Black Wall Street Records is a recording company founded by The Game and his half-brother Big Fase 100 NB Ridaz attained moderate success before disbanding in 2006. NB Ridaz formerly known as NBK Overview It all started with M
Seattle-Tacoma
Seattle has seen a small hip hop scene since the late eighties. Rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot has seen success with hits such as "Posse on Broadway" and "Baby Got Back". Sir Mix-a-Lot or Sir Mixalot (born Anthony Ray, August 12, 1963) is a Grammy Award -winning rapper and producer " Posse on Broadway " is a popular Rap song first recorded by Sir Mix-A-Lot on on his 1988 album " Swass. " Baby Got Back " is a 1992 Hip hop Song by Sir Mix-a-Lot from his album Mack Daddy. Yet throughout the 90's, no major rapper has came out of Seattle. Other rappers, such as Blue Scholars, Optimus Rhyme Source of Labor, Common Market, Abyssinian Creole, Grayskul, and Boom Bap Project has seen moderate success. Blue Scholars are a hip hop duo based in Seattle Washington. The duo was created in 2002 while the members Geologic and Sabzi were a part of The SHOW (Student Optimus Rhyme is a hip hop group hailing from Seattle Washington. Source of Labor was a rap band loosely associated with the female rap act Beyond Reality both of which performed at the all day Rap Festival (featuring 30 or more Common Market is a Hip hop duo based in Seattle, Washington with members RA Scion and DJ/Producer Sabzi. Abyssinian Creole is a hip hop group based in Seattle Washington. Grayskul are a hip hop duo from Seattle, WA. Formation In 2003 Onry Ozzborn and JFK, both members of the Boom Bap Project is an Underground hip hop group from Seattle, Washington, currently signed to Rhymesayers record label Also, Seattle-based rapper No Clue holds the Guinness Book record holder for the Fastest Rap MC. NoClue (Ricky Brown (born January 28 1985Rap artist based in Seattle Washington, broke the Guinness World Records "Fastest Rap MC" Title Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records (and in previous U
Portland
Portland has had a quiet hip hop scene trying to breakthrough. Portland is a city located in the Northwestern United States, near the Confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers However, there are some local hip hop artists such as Lifesavas and Thai Ngo. Lifesavas are a hip hop trio from Portland Oregon, notable for what ''The Onion'' 's Nathan Rabin called their "self deprecating style" Thai Minh Ngo (born September 11, 1983) is a Vietnamese American rapper There is a lot of horrorcore hip-hop and hyphy hip hop generating in Portland. Hyphy (ˈhaɪfiː HYE-fee) is a slang word created by Bay Area Rapper Keak Da Sneak which is used in the San Francisco Bay Area that literally means
West Coast hip hop record labels
- Ruthless Records founded by Eazy-E and Jerry Heller in 1987
- Death Row Records founded by Suge Knight and Dr. Dre in 1991
- Amaru Entertainment founded by Afeni Shakur in 1997
- Aftermath Entertainment founded by Dr. Dre in 1996
- Thizz Entertainment founded by Mac Dre in 1996
- Doggystyle Records founded by Snoop Dogg in 1995
- Open Bar Entertainment founded by Xzibit in 1995
- The Black Wall Street Records founded by The Game ad Big Fase 100 in 2004
- Da Lench Mob Productions founded by Ice Cube in 1994
See also
- G-funk
- Gangsta rap
- Hyphy
- List of West Coast hip hop artists
- Mobb Music
- Music of California
- Music of Texas
External links
- Boog Pop Dedicated To West Coast Music & Lifestyle
- West Coast Rap Album Reviews
- Donmega.com West Coast Rap News & Info
- dubcnn.com West Coast News Network
- Westcoastpioneers - Informations about the early years of West Coast Rap
- West Coast News Network
- westcoast2k.net West Coast News Network
- 1990s Gangsta Rap
- West Coast - Rap Center
- Westcoast Classics
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