East Coast Vs. West Coast

East Coast Vs. West Coast

In the mid 80’s and early 90’s the music industry started to see a rise in rap music, from artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Beastie Boys, and Run DMC. However, the band that really made an impact was the controversial rap group known as N.W.A.. The group originated from Compton, California and often rapped about growing up in the ghetto. Members of the band included Ice Cube, MC Ren, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Eazy-E. What really cemented them as “The Most Dangerous Rap Group” was their song “F*ck the Police” which shed light on the subject of Police Brutality. In 1989, Ice Cube left the group after discovering their manager Jerry Heller had been withholding funds from the group. This caused Ice Cube to pursue a solo career and release his first album called AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted. After the group broke up in 1991, most of the members pursued solo careers, often targeting each other in their raps. While pursuing a career in music production, Andre Young (Dr. Dre) met Suge Knight of the record company “Death Row Records.” It was here where Dr. Dre would begin producing and creating music with some of the most iconic musicians in the rap community.

While at Death Row, Dr. Dre released his first solo album known as The Chronic. The album introduced the music industry to Snoop Dogg with his collaboration on the song “Nuthin But A G’ Thang.” One of the most famous musicians to come from Death Row was Tupac Shakur. His raps often talked about growing up on the streets and offered social commentary on issues that were being faced in society. One of the greatest mysteries that remains unsolved is who killed Tupac. Some speculate that it was from fellow East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G., after his song “Who Shot Ya” was released around the time Tupac survived a shooting. After this, Tupac released the song “Hit Em’ Up,” targeting Wallace and his wife.

Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G) was a rapper on the east coast for the record company “Bad Boy Records”—he was discovered after making a demo tape when he was released from jail. The tape was heard by record producer Sean “Puffy” Combs, who signed Wallace to his new record label “Bad Boy Records.” From here it was where Wallace would release his first album Ready To Die, which featured popular songs such as “Big Poppa,” “Juicy,” “Machine Gun Funk,” and “Suicidal Thoughts.” The album was released in 1994 and would eventually become certified platinum four times. After the album was released, he began working on his next studio album Life After Death. This would be his last album before his death. On March 9, 1997, Wallace was at a stoplight after leaving an event; while at the stop a blue Chevrolet Impala pulled up beside his car. An unknown assailant began firing at Wallace, hitting him four times. After being rushed to Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, doctors performed an emergency thoracotomy but was pronounced dead at 1:15 AM. Wallace was 24-years-old.

Many theories about the murders of both artists exist. Some say that it was gang-related, believing Tupac was a member of the Bloods gang, and Biggie being a member of the Crips. In December 2012, Wallace’s autopsy revealed that three of the four shots missed all vital organs, but the fourth shot managed to strike all vital organs. Other theories suggest that the murders were caused by the producers of each artist. Some say that Sean Combs ordered the murder of Tupac, resulting in the fatal attack of the rapper, and as an act of retaliation, Suge Knight ordered the attack on Biggie. Even though they are gone, their legacy lives on through their music. Because of these rappers, and the rappers before them, we have Eminem, who seems to be the only rapper with a connection to the true rap music of the 90s.

Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac may have been enemies, but one thing is certain, they were both great in terms of their artistry. Wallace’s raps often rapped about life on the streets and selling crack, but what made him different from other rappers was the way his lyrics managed to blend perfectly with the beat of each song. Tupac may have managed to sell more albums than Biggie, but with the one album, Notorious B.I.G. managed to leave a legacy behind on his one studio album. I often reference these artists as my favorites, not because I am trying to jump on the bandwagon, but because in the music that is released nowadays, there is no passion, or storytelling. It seems to me that the music industry nowadays is trying to force listeners to older songs, because they are aware of the music and how it is all starting to sound the same.

Sometimes when I am listening to their music, I like to imagine what the music industry would be like if they were still around. Musicians nowadays seem to all sing or rap about the same things, partying, drugs, alcohol, money, or how tough they are. The sad thing is that when they died, it seems that originality had died with them. The only person who has managed to carry that legacy of storytelling through their lyrics is Eminem. Eminem has managed to mimic both artists’ contributions to the rap industry, while also managing to add his own contribution to the industry. Instead of rapping about growing up on the streets, Eminem rapped about growing up without a father and an abusive mother and how rap music helped him survive his upbringing. A perfect example of this, is in the song “Brain Damage” where he chronicles his first day of junior high, and how he managed to fight back against the school bully. When Eminem was performing in the Hip-Hop Olympics, Eminem showed the crowd that even a white guy could rap. Even though he lost, a kid came up to him and asked him for his mixtape. Little did he know that the kid’s father worked at Aftermath Records, whose founder was former N.W.A. member Andre Young (Dr. Dre).

Recently some of the founding fathers in the rap genre have managed to receive the recognition they deserve. As of this year N.W.A was officially inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame. This year also marks the first year that Tupac has been nominated to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Only time will tell when Christopher Wallace will receive a nomination as well. Many people look at me and question me when they hear me listening to Notorious B.I.G. or N.W.A. because I don’t look like the person who would listen to rap music. My reason for listening to their music is because it manages to relieve some of the anger and stress I receive from school, and also because it manages to give me courage and keep me calm. I always tell people that music is like a drug to me; as someone who suffers from ADHD, music manages to act as a suppressant and not feel like a routine.

I would like to dedicate this paper to those who feel the same way I feel about music, and to those who feel as if music is their only form of escape. Music has managed to transport me into another world, and also managed to help me through some tough times. My father always looks at the music I listen to and asks me “Why can’t you listen to your own generation?” And my response is always the same. I explain to him by saying that, “My generation’s music sucks.” I hope that this paper manages to make an impact on someone as much as Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. have had on me.