Ever since the beginning of Hip Hop, artists have been
rapping about where they are from and what they have been through in their
lives. Artists use this almost as like a competition with each other to almost show
off like, “Look at how much more I had to go through in my life than you and I
still made it”. And this competitiveness, among other things, created a rivalry
between the East Coast and West coast, and even the Dirty South. This rivalry
and hatred among the two coasts grew so strong in the earlier stages of Hip Hop
that it eventually led to the deaths of the two greatest rappers ever, the East
Coast’s Biggie Smalls and the West Coast’s Tupac Shakur. Even today, artists
still rap about where they are from, like Kendrick or Game saying that they’re
from Compton or Big Sean always saying he’s from Detroit.
However in today’s Hip Hop, the rivalry between the East
Coast and West Coast is almost non-existent, which is shown by artists from
East Coast collaborating on a song with an artist from the West Coast and vice
versa.
One example of this is the song, ”Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe
Remix” by Kendrick Lamar featuring Jay Z
Differences between the East Coast and West Coast still
exist today, especially in the style of rap and the lifestyle the artists live.
For example, east coast rappers are more known for being more into fashion and
the lavish partying lifestyle and using more up-tempo and simpler beats. While
west coast rappers were usually more lyrical while being chill and laid back
and using more complex beats with samples. These differences in rap style and
lifestyle can be seen when comparing the most recent works of West Coast Rapper Kendrick Lamar
with the works of East Coast Rapper Meek Mill.
Kendrick Lamar’s latest album, good kid, m.A.A.d city is considered by many to be the best album of
this generation and many believe it should have won the Grammy this past year
for Best Rap Album. During the entire album, Kendrick is telling a story about
his life and all the different experiences he had to go through. In his songs
he talks about topics from gangs, to drugs, to women, and all the effects they
had on him growing up. Going back to the topic of location, Kendrick also has a
song on this album called, “Compton”, where he raps about his love for his
city. Kendrick is more focused on the lyrical and story telling aspect of rap,
than the bragging and boasting aspect of it.
On the other hand, Meek Mill’s latest album, Dreams and
Nightmares, is not as lyrical as good kid, m.A.A.d. city and is more
known for being an album to party to. This album is more of a street rap album
with loud, bass heavy beats. In this album , Meek focuses more on materialistic
items like money and jewelry. This is especially shown in his single titled,
“Young & Gettin’ It”. Even though this album did not have as great of am
impact on society as good kid, m.A.A.d city, I believe it is still a
great album and was slept on by many Hip Hop fans.
1. http://blog.agoodsupply.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/biggie-and-tupac.jpg
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ5-Soe3NJ0
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WgoX7yySW8
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRMq3NpRxe8
I think it's true that the east coast, west coast rivalry is pretty much dead. Although some artists embrace the roots of their respective areas, rap has been a little bit more unified this past decade. Also, I'm not sure Meek Mill should be your example of an east coast rapper.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the rivalry between the east coast and the west coast is over with. A lot of rappers rap about where they're from, especially New York rappers. I think including some examples of New York rappers would have helped strengthen the importance of location.
ReplyDeleteI honestly had not noticed the drastic contrast in how intense the East/West Coast beef had been compared to its almost non-existent status today. Excellent work in analyzing Jay-Z and Kendrick's recent work together as an example.
ReplyDeleteA huge part of today's hip-hop genre is representing where you are from and letting everyone know that you made it to the top. Great example of the battle between the east and west coast that ended up in the tragic deaths of huge influences of rap. I like how you explained the different flows that come with different areas and like how you talked about the G.o.o.d. k.i.d. m.a.d. c.i.t.y album that made other rappers step up.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you I definitely think Meek's slept on! Kendrick and Meek are great differing examples of two huge stars that have two different rap styles. Both are dope and you did a good job of explaining both are great but for different means
ReplyDeleteI like how you tie in the importance and danger that the east coast and west coast wars had on the game of hip hop in the past: the deaths of Biggie and Tupac. I like how you showed the different aspects of the albums of artists from different locations.
ReplyDeleteI like your post for a few reasons. First your post is well written and interesting to read. Second I think it was really good for you to include how feuds in hip-hop led to the death of Biggie and 2Pac. Lastly I like how you used an example with Jay-Z in it as he is my favorite rapper. Good Job!
ReplyDeleteWith the world ever shrinking because of faster transportation and the internet I think the coastal beef will certainly dissipate as you mentioned. An example is Kendrick signing Tennessee rapper Isaiah Rashad to his group TDE. I liked the topic of the never ending coastal debate but I think Meek Mill and Kendrick were kinda an apples to oranges comparison.
ReplyDeleteArtists like to recognize where they are from and how far they have come from that place. They are representing their hometown and the people they grew up with. The artist is trying to prove that they made it to the top despite what they went through. I really enjoyed your article.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the two examples you used. I liked how you were able to show comparisons that still love today between the East Coast and West Coast.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you used examples from different locations and the fact that you described the role that location plays on their music.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good point that East Coast - West Coast rivalry is over with. Kendrick Lamar is an artist that references his home town, along with his past a lot, which is saying something in today's hip hop society
ReplyDeletePeople definitely have a different sound depending on where they come from, You did a great job of distinguishing that between the artists you talked about. Kendrick lamar definitely describes where he grew up and how it was because Compton is sort of an icon in hip-hop. On the other hand Meek Mill talks about the lifestyle that everyone on the east is pursuing
ReplyDeleteI agree with how location changes how some people do their music.
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