East Coast Rap
East Coast hip-hop is sometimes also referred to as New York Rap. This is because East Coast hip-hop originated from block parties thrown on the streets of New York City during the 1970s. East Coast Hip-hop was dominant during the late 1908’s and the 1990s. The ’90s was known as the golden Ear of hip-hop, and it is still relevant today
Elements of east Coast Rap
Unlike the simplistic rhyme pattern utilized in old school rap or the call and response style present in crunk, east coast rap is almost synonymous with lyrical dexterity. East Coast rap is characterized by multi-syllabi rhymes, complex wordplay, continuous free-flowing delivery, and intricate metaphors.
Most Famous East Coast Rappers
A partial revival of east Coast Rap
A partial revival of East Cost rap has occurred in the last decade. However, it did not have the same level of commercial success as in the nineties due to various factors such as the rise of social media, music streaming, and the internet. In addition, due to the differences in this period, artists from different regains in the United States are more willing to collaborate than in the past. Despite this, the distinctive East Coast sound is still notable in today’s music. Some Notable artists who have risen to dominate the East Coast music scene are A$AP Ferguson, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Lil Uzi Vert (from Philadelphia).
Drill Music
U.K. drill music heavily influenced New York City’s drill music movement. Despite departing from standard hip hop song structures, drill music got both critical criticism and a significant following. New York City Drill music was initially forced in Brooklyn, led by artists such as the Late Pop Smoke, Five Foreign, Sheff G, and Sleepy Hallow. More recently, Drill music started to migrate to the Bronx with artists such as A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Lil Tjay, to name a few
A Boogie wit the Hoodie
Artist Julius Dubose, known as A Boogie wit da Hoodie or just A Boogie, was born December 6, 1995, in Highbridge, a neighbor of the Bronx. He began rapping at the age of 12. He is signed to Atlantic Records and his label imprint, Highbridge the Label. His stage name was derived from Ace Boogie’s character from the 2002 film Paid in Full.
A boogie official began his music career with the the song “Temporary”, released on SoundCloud at the age of 19. His highest-charting singles are “Numbers” which debuted at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut studio album “The Biggest Artis” (2017) debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. His second studio album Hoodie S.Z.N. (2018), became his first number one album on the Billboard 200. His third studio album is number two on the Billboard 200. He is set to release his fourth studio album—Boogie vs. Artist, in 2022.
Sleepy Hallow
Tegan Joshua Anthony Chambers, also known as Sleepy Hallow, is originally from Jamaica. Chamber grew up in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York City. He is currently signed to Winners Circle Entertainment and R.C.A. Records. Chambers started to rap at around the age of 8. He later picked “Sleepy Hollow” as his rap name because it was his name on the streets. Chambers dropped out of school in the ninth grade. In 2019 Chambers released his debut mixtape “Don’t sleep.” This was in the same year Winner Circle Entertainment was founded. Chamber was the record label’s first signee. In August 2020, Chambers released the single “Deep End Freestyle,” which was certified platinum by the RIAA. In August 2021, he released the single “2055,” which peaked at number 51 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. This single has become his highest-charting song to date.
Cardi B
Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, also known as Cardi B, was born on October 11, 1992, in the Bronx of New York City. She is known for her aggressive flow and candid lyrics. Cardi B gained internet fame by achieving popularity on Vine and Instagram. In 2015 she became a regular cast member on the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: New York. Cardi B released two mixtapes, Gangsta Bitch Music Vol 1. in 2016 and Vol 2. In 2017. Cardi B signed with Atlantic Records in February 2017. Her first studio album, Invasion of Privacy, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified triple platinum by the RIAA. According to Billboard, this album was also the best-selling female rap album of the 2010s. Invasion of Privacy also gifted Cardi B the only woman to win a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album as a solo artist. In addition, Cardi B became the first female rapper to achieve a Dimond-certified song by the RIAA with her single Bodak Yellow. Her single “I Like It: marked the first time a female rapper attained multiple number-one songs on the chart. She also became the first female rapper to achieve multiple Diamond-certified songs by the RIAA with her collaboration on “Girls like You” with Maroon 5.
It is safe to safe that East Coast Rap has been large part of the Hip Hop culture scene since it has been introduced. East Coast Rap has evolved since the 1980’s and it has many people from the East Coast and from other regions dancing and hype at different events.
