Genre:

East Coast hip hop

East Coast hip hop is a subgenre of hip hop music that originated in New York City during the 1970s, specifically in the Bronx. It is known for prioritizing complex lyrics over beats, focusing on attentive listening rather than dancing. The genre encompasses hip hop from the Northeastern United States, while Southeastern states produce Southern hip hop. East Coast hip hop was foundational to the entire hip hop genre, with pioneers like Kool DJ Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw artists like Eric B. & Rakim, Public Enemy, and Wu-Tang Clan define the genre with sample-heavy production and socially conscious, aggressive lyricism. The Native Tongues collective, including De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, added a jazz rap sound with Afrocentric themes. East Coast hip hop continued to thrive into the 2000s with artists like Jay-Z, The Roots, and MF DOOM.

38 songs

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