East Coast: Mainstream Hip Hop

Stemming from my previous posts I will break down mainstream Hip Hop into 3 categories: East Coast, West Coast and Women rappers.  From within theses categories I have included old and recent artists.  A lot of these artists that I have chosen are artists that I like, but mainly because of their influences in Hip Hop and American culture on a basic level.

East Coast Artists:

Afrika Bambaataa

Biz Markie

Wu Tang Clan

Jay-Z

Eminem

1. Afrika Bambaataa (Born April 19, 1957).  He is an American rapper that came out of the South Bronx, NY. He is known to be one of the originators of deejaying and is responsible for the spread of early Hip Hop throughout the 1980's.  He is known as "The Grandfather" and "The Father of the Electro Funk Sound."


Afrika Bambaataa ft. SoulSonic Force 
"Planet Rock" on Planet Rock Album 
Label: Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records 01007 
Released in 1986

2.  Biz Markie (Marcel Theo Hall born April 8, 1964).  His first break came in 1985 as a beat boxer for Roxanne Shante of the Juice Crew.  Originally from Harlem then later moved to Long Island, he is remarkably known for his beat box style and rhyming.  His single "Just a Friend" his #9 on the Billboard Charts.

Biz Markie "Just a Friend"

A single by Biz Markie

Label: Cold Chillin/Warner Bros.

Recorded/Released: 1989

3. Wu Tang Clan.  Assembled in 1992 Staten Island, NY.  Members include RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard.  With multiple members and all their eccentricities, Wu Tang is one of the most greatest Hip Hop groups of all time.  

"Triumph" from Album Wu-Tang Forever  
Label: Loud Records Released: 1997

4.  Jay-Z (Shawn Corey Carter born Dec.4, 1969) Brooklyn, NY.  He is a financially successful Hip Hop artist and entrepreneur.  He has sold about 50 million albums worldwide and won 13 Grammy Awards.  He co-owns 40/40 club, part-owner of NBA's New Jersey Jets, founder or Rocawear Clothing and CEO of Def Jam records.

Jay-Z "D.O.A, Death of Autotune"

The Blueprint 3

Label: Roc Nation, Atlantic

Released: June 5, 2009

5.  Eminem (Marshall Bruce Mathers III, born Oct. 17, 1972). Coming out of Detroit Michigan, he is a rapper, record producer and actor.  Billboard Magazine quote said that he "realized his musical ambitions were the only way to escape his unhappy life," after his studio album The Slim Shady LP was released.

Eminem, "Not Afraid"

Recovery Album

Label: Shady Aftermath, Interscope Recorded 2009