RIP New York Hip-Hop? (Need Some Feedback)

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While NY hip-hop has more or less been on the downturn for the past 10 years, The G-Unit/Diplomats movement preserved relevance for a few more years. As it stands today NY/East Coast is the least most productive region in hip-hop, and that's been the case for at least 8 years, and with a new generation of not only rappers but producers and fans will NY be remembered in the grand scheme of hip-hop? Those of us old enough to know, this art form started in the South Bronx. With each generation the story gets more convoluted. Then it became hip-hop started in the Bronx, anyone familiar with the BX knows the north Bronx and South Bronx are VERY different places. If you talk to a kid now, he'd more than likely know that hip-hop is from NYC, would he know the specific borough? Or the section of said borough? In 10 years it'll become hip-hop started on the "east coast".



But it's NYs fault, I've watched for years as NY elitist attitude has attempted to be the sole voice of policing within hip-hop. New York as a city doesn't have that allure anymore, it's become a hipster haven. Brooklyn isn't the same Brooklyn that produced Big Daddy Kane, BIG, Jay-Z, Mos Def, MC Lyte etc. Harlem barley exists unless you live in Grant. The Bronx hasn't produced a legit rap star since Big Pun almost 20 years ago. Queens has mainly had 2 areas that produced stars, Queensbridge, and Jamaica/Hollis. NY as a whole has not produced an elite class of MC/Rappers since the class of 98.

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Every attempt to revamp NY has failed miserably. Remember the class of 04/05? Papoose, Maino, Saigon, Tru Life, Jae Millz, D.O.E., Uncle Murda, Cory Guns, JR Writer and a handful of other SMACK DVD ***** Ns. Provided 2 of the the artists with potential, Stack Bundles & Max B had their careers cut short on the opposite sides of gun violence. Bundles the victim, and Max a conspirator in a murder-robbery. Even if the narrative was changed, could those 2 do what BIG, Wu Tang and NaS did in 93-95 and revive the coast? With all due respect to both of them, hell muh****** no.

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A$AP Mob has been able to survive because their music borrows many elements from other regions, a strategy BIG used on Life After Death, Jay-Z used to expand his fan base and become a force on Billboard charts. The Diplomats studied that blueprint as well and for a few years had a strong movement, before falling victim to bad business and infighting. But if there was ever anyone who came the closest to perfecting the craft it was 50 Cent, backed my Dr Dre production he assembled a team with a down south representative (Young Buck) and a short lived alliance with a west coast artist The Game, before the LAs reemergence, simply put 50 was onto something.

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As it stands today, we have Troy Ave, Joey Bad*****, Action Bronson, Dave Ea$t, Bodega Bamz, Dark ATM and I'm sure a few other irrelevant cats. (Skyzoo, Torae etc make a quality brand of NY hip-hop but they will never pop enough to put the city back in the eye of the public). There was once a time when NY was the home to some of the best producers in the genre, that is maybe 30% of the problem. There's no DJ Mustard to revamp the classic sound while implementing a massive appeal. There's no Metro Boomin, the closest we had to a Lex Lugar was Araab Muzik, but I'm sure he's lost somewhere in one of his oversized fitteds.

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I always said, it's gonna take LA to comeback before NY does, but the clock has been ticking for at the very least 4 or 5 years, and NY hasn't shown a sign of a pulse. Today, as it was 15 or so years ago, NY (and the west coast) doesn't look at the south as direct competition, which to me revolves around the fact that about 90% of black Americans family is from the south, and most still reside there. It's basically of of our country cousins and not a rival as we've treated the west.

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Will NY ever make a comeback? Does hip-hop even need NY anymore? How much longer till NY becomes what Indiana is to the sport of basketball, a forgotten birthplace of an amazing art?


This is an idea I'm brainstorming for a feature piece in the publication I write for. Just what I came up with ob my train ride home from work.
 
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South won

South is responsible for the **** we hear on the radio today. I would say they lost.


No Limit, Outkast, Face, UGK, Cash Money, Three 6 and Trick Daddy >>>>> 95% of the South's music over the last 10 years.


Only region that is currently winning and making good rap music would be California. Which is kind of cool because they were dead for like 10-12 years. Game made some noise but one rapper wasn't enough.
 
New York hip hop lost, because it's more about it no longer being great New York producers. Either doing street or club music.

You had people like RZA, Eric Sermon and The Beatminerz, DITC, Large Pro, Pete Rock and The Hitmen who gave New York a sound. It was as much about the producers as it was the rappers.

And I hate people saying the south won, when we're losing for it.

But hey, maybe you want 15 year olds to be influenced to do lean.
 
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when will this topic stop coming up... No region is going to consistently dominate rap EVER again, the hottest cat in rap is from ****** Canada. the The Rest of the A-B grade rappers Future (ATL), Kendrick (Cali), Cole(NC), Asap Rocky (NYC), Wale (DC), Meek(PHI) Big Sean (DET), Fetty (NJ), Wiz (Pit)

none of these cats i just named really have a sound distinctive with the region there from (except maybe future).... Quality wise NY may not have as much talent showcased in the mainstream, but there are cats cultivating quality music slowly building a buzz. if your definition of NYC coming back is expecting a sound or lyrical skill similar to Nas, Jay, Big etc etc then you have already set yourself up to be disappointed. your asking people to live up to unreal expectations.

as far as NYC not being remembered in Hip Hop, there is no way possible that happens, because the artist that we have produced are too monumental to the culture to not shine light on the city. NYC despite how much the landscape of the city has changed is still a breeding ground for culture & art, the style & direction may have changed but in the hierarchy of Hip Hop culture this city will forever remain important.
 
Loving what the west coast has been doing. For years NY rappers wanted to be the "King of NY" and beefing with everyone in NY instead of coming together and making good music.

Shame, but it is what it is.
 
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Yea other regions might be poppin now. But they'll never do it like ny did it.

It's the JV squad running the game. No one is elite anymore.
 
No region will dominate hip-hop ever again?

So what has the south been doin for the better part of the past 17 years? Cause if that's not considered domination then there has never been a dominate region in the history of the art. Cause all things considered NY reigned supreme because it was the only place making hip-hop for the first decade for the most part. The minute NWA came out NYC started looking flabby and sick.

The west is winning right now, the south has remained consistent for a decade and a half producing psuedo rap stars and expanding its sound, the Midwest is in 3rd, and competitive to an extent, NY is nowhere to be found. This is the first time in the history of the art that NY has been the worst region creatively for almost a decade.

Teenagers don't care about 80s NY legends. They barley care about the 90s guys. 50 Cent is old school to the average consumer. NY will become what Indiana is to basketball. In 20 years fans won't feel obligated to pay homage, artists barley do. NY is living in its past glory.

How does a city of 10 million go 8 years without producing a legit rap star or producer? That's like the Texas/Florida not producing a great football player.

And Fetty (who's 25) is a great example a kid from right across the river idolized Gucci Mane, instead of any NY rappers. Where as Cole (who's 30) from NC idolized NaS. The tide has turned NY will more than likely never matter again in hip-hop.
 
Been loving what the west coast has been doing. For years NY rappers wanted to be the "King of NY" and beefing with everyone in NY instead of coming together and making good music.

Shame, but it is what it is.

That's old tho, and quite honestly that was all a result of NYC fans and "purist" not allowing NY rappers to be artist. for a long time we shunned anything that wasn't typically considered NY sound, so if you weren't punchline crazy, aggressive, and shooting to be #1 overall NYC wasn't allowing you to shine.

Looking at the up & comers now, cats finally looked past that, and are doing exactly what Cali did, there is a new generation completely intertwined, doing shows, and coming up together & doing collabs.

Bronson, A$AP Mob, Troy Ave, Tan Boyz, Dave East, Manolo Rose, Chris Rios, Doley Bernays, Vado etc etc are all relatively young cats in the game who all have different sounds and our coming along.

Not to mention that MANY of these young cats from other cities who are bubbling have either lived in NYC, or spend a massive amount of time here. the City is still inspiring people and still has a scene, the difference is it's no longer an energy & lifestyle shared with those who are Born & bred in NYC.
 
I don't think a region will dominate because of the internet. Everyone dresses alike and sounds alike. Back in the day, each region had their own look and sound. Now it's all pretty much the same. Rap music is at an all time low. I can't believe the **** I hear on the radio or the **** that's allowed in today's game :x
 
That's old tho, and quite honestly that was all a result of NYC fans and "purist" not allowing NY rappers to be artist. for a long time we shunned anything that wasn't typically considered NY sound, so if you weren't punchline crazy, aggressive, and shooting to be #1 overall NYC wasn't allowing you to shine.

Looking at the up & comers now, cats finally looked past that, and are doing exactly what Cali did, there is a new generation completely intertwined, doing shows, and coming up together & doing collabs.

Bronson, A$AP Mob, Troy Ave, Tan Boyz, Dave East, Manolo Rose, Chris Rios, Doley Bernays, Vado etc etc are all relatively young cats in the game who all have different sounds and our coming along.

Not to mention that MANY of these young cats from other cities who are bubbling have either lived in NYC, or spend a massive amount of time here. the City is still inspiring people and still has a scene, the difference is it's no longer an energy & lifestyle shared with those who are Born & bred in NYC.

I was talking to my lady this morning, and gentrification plays a MAJOR role to no good NY rappers. The example I used is Brooklyn, back in the 80s/90s was a bloodbath, crack, automatic weapons, neighborhood crews etc. Anyone could get caught up in the street or selling drugs. NaS, BIG, & Jay-Z for all intents and purposes had a good upbringing, but that generation was so wild that damn near everyone dabbled in the streets to some degree. Those interactions ended up becoming the narrative to their music. Where as if you take a kid from Fulton and St James, a kid from Nostrand and Myrtle, and another from 40th & 12th with the type of mothers the 3 of them had you probably wouldn't get a crack dealer out of the group. While he may understand the streets, the inner workings of the underworld would remain somewhat of a mystery. So where's his narrative?

And not to say you HAVE to be from the streets to be interesting, but it's always been important in this city to a degree. Much like gang culture has been to west coast hip-hop. NY has changed so much as a city that the conditions that molded great artist's storyline barely exist. And those strugglin the most don't see hip-hop as a real means to an end, those that do aren't as bright as some of the street Ns NYC produced in the 80s/90s.

That's one of my theories.

Gentrification helped destroy NY hip-hop.
 
I don't think a region will dominate because of the internet. Everyone dresses alike and sounds alike.
FACTS.
I remember when certain boroughs had a style. Or certain cities embraced certain brands that others ignored.

Remember when you could watch a video and have an idea where they were from solely based on their clothes?
 
good read, it's crazy how NY isn't as strong as it was back in the days. nobody really listens to "gritty " hip hop unless you were brought up on it. it's moved onto something else, not sure if it's better or worse for hip hop today.
 
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I think that hurts Hip Hop badly. Cats need their own look and sound. That's part of the reason why I was so into Cash Money and No Limit as a kid. Their slang and style was so foreign to me. It was interesting how different they were compared to where I lived. I remember when I moved to Seattle from NY as a kid. Kids at school were mad confused when I would say mad, wild, tight and **** like that. Now every city kids are dressing the same and using the same slang. It's wack as ****. No originality or even an identity.
 
I don't think a region will dominate because of the internet. Everyone dresses alike and sounds alike. Back in the day, each region had their own look and sound. Now it's all pretty much the same. Rap music is at an all time low. I can't believe the **** I hear on the radio or the **** that's allowed in today's game :x

all of this
 
No region will dominate hip-hop ever again?

So what has the south been doin for the better part of the past 17 years? Cause if that's not considered domination then there has never been a dominate region in the history of the art. Cause all things considered NY reigned supreme because it was the only place making hip-hop for the first decade for the most part. The minute NWA came out NYC started looking flabby and sick.

The west is winning right now, the south has remained consistent for a decade and a half producing psuedo rap stars and expanding its sound, the Midwest is in 3rd, and competitive to an extent, NY is nowhere to be found. This is the first time in the history of the art that NY has been the worst region creatively for almost a decade.

Teenagers don't care about 80s NY legends. They barley care about the 90s guys. 50 Cent is old school to the average consumer. NY will become what Indiana is to basketball. In 20 years fans won't feel obligated to pay homage, artists barley do. NY is living in its past glory.

How does a city of 10 million go 8 years without producing a legit rap star or producer? That's like the Texas/Florida not producing a great football player.

And Fetty (who's 25) is a great example a kid from right across the river idolized Gucci Mane, instead of any NY rappers. Where as Cole (who's 30) from NC idolized NaS. The tide has turned NY will more than likely never matter again in hip-hop.

Again is this based off qualtiy of the Music or recognition from a singular portion of Hip Hop? If we are only talking popular music then you are specifically talking about an age range from 16-25, as if Hip Hop fans don't exist outside of that demographic. If that' the case the South's Reign can be questioned because those same teens you talk about, don't give a **** about Weezy, Jeezy, Ross, Tip, Luda etc etc that was the era that really started booming and helping change the sound of mainstream radio.

Like i stated above the hottest artist out who actually are connecting and have staying power aren't exactly dominated by the south or a southern sound. it's a ton of different influences from several different regions shaping rap right now.

and as far as NYC not shaping any "Stars" in the past 8 years... what's your definition of star? because Nicki/Rocky/French have damn sure been anything but quiet since they came out and have A lot of relevance in mainstream Hip Hop.

In the same context what "Stars" has the south Bred in the past 8 years? from 2008 on what NEW artist came from the south that legitimately has been able to last and make an impact on hip hop outside of Future & cole (Who's music sounds NOTHING like mainstream southern Music)
 
I was talking to my lady this morning, and gentrification plays a MAJOR role to no good NY rappers. The example I used is Brooklyn, back in the 80s/90s was a bloodbath, crack, automatic weapons, neighborhood crews etc. Anyone could get caught up in the street or selling drugs. NaS, BIG, & Jay-Z for all intents and purposes had a good upbringing, but that generation was so wild that damn near everyone dabbled in the streets to some degree. Those interactions ended up becoming the narrative to their music. Where as if you take a kid from Fulton and St James, a kid from Nostrand and Myrtle, and another from 40th & 12th with the type of mothers the 3 of them had you probably wouldn't get a crack dealer out of the group. While he may understand the streets, the inner workings of the underworld would remain somewhat of a mystery. So where's his narrative?

And not to say you HAVE to be from the streets to be interesting, but it's always been important in this city to a degree. Much like gang culture has been to west coast hip-hop. NY has changed so much as a city that the conditions that molded great artist's storyline barely exist. And those strugglin the most don't see hip-hop as a real means to an end, those that do aren't as bright as some of the street Ns NYC produced in the 80s/90s.

That's one of my theories.

Gentrification helped destroy NY hip-hop.

THIS THINKING IS WHAT HAS DESTROYED NYC HIPHOP. This is the same ideology that keeps NYC from creating "stars" as you say it because we are boxed in.

Cali right Now, Kendrick, Q, Tyler, Earl, Ty $, Vince Staples, Nippsey, Dom - All completely different sunject matters and sounds......... COMPLETELY different from what was running the West 20 yrs ago.

The south.. Future, Migos, Thug, Travi$, 2 Chainz, Krit, all completely different sounds & nothing like the music that was being made in the south 20 yrs ago.

Now somehow when NYC artist come up if it isn't the same regurgitated stories & concepts from 20 years ago, it's not NY enough. NY damn sure is night & day from what it use to be, but along with gentrification does come new experiences, new thought process, new sounds & new music it's inevitable.

I agree that the elment of the streets was very prevalent in NYC music, but the streets done changed, & to the majority of the teenage consumers you talk about the street narrative & grittiness is something they can't relate too, therfore they aren't gravitating towards that. Hence why the subject matter for so many artist in NYC has changed.

Good art is inspired by life, struggle, & experience.... all those factors are still there, they just happen to be different from the 90's
 
hot 97 plays down south stuff all day, streetsweeper drama king kay slay wants NY to be on top so bad again
 
Things go in cycles. Everybody has their time at the top and ours has passed.

Can NY bounce back? Sure. Is it going to be anytime soon? Most likely not. Its going to take a new group of innovative minds to do that and those kinds just don't pop up on demand. By the time it does happen some of us might be too old to even really care.
 
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Again is this based off qualtiy of the Music or recognition from a singular portion of Hip Hop? If we are only talking popular music then you are specifically talking about an age range from 16-25, as if Hip Hop fans don't exist outside of that demographic. If that' the case the South's Reign can be questioned because those same teens you talk about, don't give a **** about Weezy, Jeezy, Ross, Tip, Luda etc etc that was the era that really started booming and helping change the sound of mainstream radio.

Like i stated above the hottest artist out who actually are connecting and have staying power aren't exactly dominated by the south or a southern sound. it's a ton of different influences from several different regions shaping rap right now.

and as far as NYC not shaping any "Stars" in the past 8 years... what's your definition of star? because Nicki/Rocky/French have damn sure been anything but quiet since they came out and have A lot of relevance in mainstream Hip Hop.

In the same context what "Stars" has the south Bred in the past 8 years? from 2008 on what NEW artist came from the south that legitimately has been able to last and make an impact on hip hop outside of Future & cole (Who's music sounds NOTHING like mainstream southern Music)
I haven't been a part of the demographic for sometime.

But we're claiming Nicki now? She went down south to blow. Aligned herself with 2 of the hottest stars of the time in fact. And if we're gonna pass off French as a star that opens the floodgates for pretty much anyone from the south. A lot of guys in the south bubbled regionally before breaking nationally. Boosie is on the Freshman cover with Saigon, Papoose. We know where he is, where are they? Currensy is on a freshman cover with Mickey Factz, Cory Gunz and Charles Hamilton. There's not even a NY artist on the Freshman10. KRIT is on the 11 cover with Fred Da Godson.

Then you have 2Chainz. Yo Gotti just began to break nationally in the past 5-6 years. Young Thug. Rich Homie. Travis Scott. Kevin Gates. Even Juicy J reinvented himself, no 90s NY artist is doing that (applies to 2Chainz). Gucci broke on the east in 08-09 he had been killing the south and Midwest tho.

The list is way longer. Ross domination began in 09 foreal. Newer guys like Migos.

NY has not had a new platinum artist since Paul Wall, Mike Jones and Chamillionaire was selling units, and those dudes are dinosaurs now.

Rocky sounds more like UGK than BIG L. It would be one thing if Houston had a few artists breaking nationally that sounded like Mobb Deep or something, but that's not the case. Cole and Jay Elect are the LAST group of southers that grew up looking up to NY, and NY is barely producing artists that look up to their hometown heroes.

TDE/Nipsey etc respect their west coast forefathers.
 
My whole problem with this NYC is dead argument is that people are still basing this resurgence on Sales & Radio play... AKA a business. What's "HOT" & being played is a 100% business decision. The truth is there is still plenty of quality music being made, and innovative music being made.

difference is the radio/popular music isn't intended to take chances, submit new sounds. Hence why none of this is being played. In an era with so many different ways to consume music & art i'm not even sure why anyone is giving power to these dying outlets, the people making these decisions at the Labels, Radio etc etc have no idea what's going on in the culture.
 
THIS THINKING IS WHAT HAS DESTROYED NYC HIPHOP. This is the same ideology that keeps NYC from creating "stars" as you say it because we are boxed in.

Cali right Now, Kendrick, Q, Tyler, Earl, Ty $, Vince Staples, Nippsey, Dom - All completely different sunject matters and sounds......... COMPLETELY different from what was running the West 20 yrs ago.

The south.. Future, Migos, Thug, Travi$, 2 Chainz, Krit, all completely different sounds & nothing like the music that was being made in the south 20 yrs ago.

Now somehow when NYC artist come up if it isn't the same regurgitated stories & concepts from 20 years ago, it's not NY enough. NY damn sure is night & day from what it use to be, but along with gentrification does come new experiences, new thought process, new sounds & new music it's inevitable.

I agree that the elment of the streets was very prevalent in NYC music, but the streets done changed, & to the majority of the teenage consumers you talk about the street narrative & grittiness is something they can't relate too, therfore they aren't gravitating towards that. Hence why the subject matter for so many artist in NYC has changed.

Good art is inspired by life, struggle, & experience.... all those factors are still there, they just happen to be different from the 90's

So why can't NY inspire artists anymore? The same borough the produced MC Lyte, produced Biggie it also produced Mos Def. The same borough that produced LL produced Kool G Rap. Later produced Tribe and Mobb Deep. So where is today's equivalent?

As you pointed out the artists from LA all speak from a different perspective, while gang culture plays a backdrop to some degree, and with the south the trap plays the backdrop. Chicago gang culture can be heard in Kanye, Lupe all the way to Chief Keef and King Louie. But you still have Vic Mensa, Chance and Mick Jenkins.

Houston has its car/drug culture that plays the backdrop to their music. What is ours? Where is the balance in NY? Skyzoo is by no means will ever be BIG but he has a sound and a following, why can't 4 or 5 other NY artists speaking from different perspectives carve out a lane?
 
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