Modern East vs. West Coast Hip-Hop Debate

Top 3 West Coast Rappers

1) Kendrick Lamar

Best Songs: Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst, HUMBLE., and m.A.A.d city

2) Schoolboy Q

Best Songs: THat Part, Man of the Year, and Collard Greens

3) Tyler, The Creator

Best Songs: IFHY, 911 / Mr. Lonely, and Who Dat Boy

Honorable mentions include: Hopsin, Earl Sweatshirt, Jay Rock, Tyga, Vince Staples, YG, Kid Ink, Hodgy, AB-Soul, Swizzz, Rob $tone

Top 3 East Coast Rappers

1) Joey Bada$$

Best Songs: Survival Tactics, Land of the Free, and Hardknock

2) Meek Mill

Best Songs: Ima Boss, Litty, and 1942 Flows

3) A$AP Rocky

Best Songs: F**kin’ Problems, Gunz N Butter, and Praise the Lord (Da Shine)

Honorable mentions include: Joyner Lucas, Dave East, Logic, YBN Cordoe, Smooky Margiela, Token, A$AP Ferg, Q Da Fool, Capital Sheez, Cardi B, Bas

 

The West vs. East conversation in Hip-Hop has been one of the most heated debates ever since the “OG” days of Tupac vs. Biggie Smalls. It has been a long time since those days and in that time many new rising stars have emerged repping their respective coasts. Looking at the list above, it seems that the west coast has a slight advantage over the east in the modern day debate. Right now, with two Hip-Hop titans that are still in their prime: Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q, the west coast has the more established talent due to Kendrick and Schoolboy being in the game for more than seven years. Even though the west may have the advantage, the east coast has two fast rising stars with Joyner Lucas and YBN Cordoe. Both of these artists have been touted by many to be next up in the Hip-Hop game. It will be interesting to see in the coming years if the east’s rising stars can help to flip the scales in this modern day debate.