Look, I've seen just about enough NY hate on this site to last me an eternity. Time to stand up for the place that first and foremost birthed this entire culture and artform that we all love.
Although, battle rap was becoming prevalent, one of the main reason's hip hop flourished was the voice it gave to underprivleged minorities growing up during the crack epidemic. Songs like this put hip hop on a national stage highlighting the dearth of hope in areas like the South Bronx. This same story caught on and soon gave birth to other areas like Compton wanting to voice their story.
In this very city, the artform and culture became more aggressive and infectious ushering in a new era called the golden era.
While hip hop was surely growing, many still dismissed it as a joke or fad. Perhaps one of the biggest moves in hip hop and one of the biggest acts to connect the hood with mainstream was Run DMC.
The Golden Era, evolved into more complex rhyme patterns evidenced by people like Rakim and Kool G Rap, fun type raps by people like Kid n Play and still remaining culturally aware with the likes of Public Enemy, Bran Nubian, X Clan and many others.
By the early 90's a separation was brewing...you already had the "old school" and the new school coming into the fold with groups like Leaders of the New School, Nas, Wu Tang etc. The South, and West Coast were sparking great music and in many instances the West was dominating the East in terms of musical output. With the likes of NWA, Liks, Heiro, etc. Although, collaborations during this time still kept the peace.
To Be continued.
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