West Vs. East Coast Rap Battles

     The entire rap war between the West and East started out with members from NWA, Compton's Most Wanted, and DJ Quik went to New York where they didn't receive any recognition, unlike the New York artists who received recognition when they went out to LA. Another reason that this issue sprung out was that record labels from the East Coast wanted East Coast rappers to dress and rap like NWA since the NWA was more popular from a sales perspective. This would result in Tim Dog being frustrated to make a diss track called "F*ck Compton" where he took shots at the Compton's rap scene, which respectively started the East vs West Coast rap battles. But on the side, before Biggie blew up one of the most influential songs was Wutangs "Cream" which was their answer to the West Coast Dre's Chronic. After this, in 1995 the East Coast made it back to the top where Notorious BIG made headlines. During this time Tupac accused Biggie of trying to get a hit out on him. After this shooting Biggie denied the allegations of the shooting. But Tupac and the West Coast believed it was Biggie that did the shooting. After this event, Tupac signed with Death Row Records in which they made a single called "New York New York" which was accompanied with a music video in which Snoop Dog is kicking down New York buildings. In response to the song, Queens New York Duel and other New York Artists made a single called "LA LA" which called out the LA rappers. In response to this Tupac made a song called "Hit em Up" which is one of the greatest diss tracks of all time which roasted Biggie and his wife. Additionally, Junior Mafia and Mob D were called out on the track. There was also a lot of controversy behind Biggie and his wife since she was reported to be with Tupac during this time. Mob D responded with the single "Drop a Gem" on them which called shots on Tupac. But unfortunately, shortly afterward Tupac got killed in a driveby which caused Mob D to take the song of the radio as in respect for Tupac and his family. Then six months later the Notorious BIG was killed in a drive-by shooting.  Throughout the Golden Age of Rap, songs gained a reputation with street elements rather than getting mainstream buzz which would forever change the rap game. The West vs East Coast rap battles are settled but it depends on who you ask but in summary, this revolutionized the rap game from the way that rappers talked about the street to the high life. In my personal opinion, I would say I like East Coast Rap by a short margin just because they got more gritty songs with artists such as Wutang, Nas, Biggie, and Mobb Deep.

    My question to you would be who you think won the rap battles of the '90s and which is your favorite side?