Sunday, February 22, 2015

Famous Rappers From New York

By Olivia Cross


Anyone who is familiar with hip hop music will know about the divide between the East Coast and the West Coast rappers. Many rappers from New York are some of the world's most famous artistes to date, living or dead. Furthermore, as the history of hip hop dictates, most of them came from a life of hard knocks and struggles in order to make it in the music industry.

Today's most successful rapper is undoubtedly Jay Z, real name Shawn Carter. At 45 years of age, Jay Z has topped bill board charts for over two decades and continues to do so today. Many of his songs these days are collaborations with his spouse, musical prodigy Beyonce Knowles. Jay Z is originally from Brooklyn, and his love for his home city is expressed in smash hit single 'Empire State Of Mind', featuring Alicia Keys.

Jay Z has nineteen Grammy awards to his name. He also has the privilege of three albums featured on Rolling Stone's greatest albums of all time list. As well as his music career, Jay Z runs Rocawear clothing line, and is the business mogul for Roc-A-Fella Records and Roc Nation.

Tupac Shakur is legendary in the music industry, particularly when discussing the rivalry between the East coast and West coast in hip hop. A number of publications have named 2pac as one of the greatest artists of all time. His record sales worldwide have landed him a spot as one of the all-time bestselling artists as well.

This heavily influential rapper hails from East Harlem in Manhattan, New York, NY. Born in the early 70s, 2pac's life was cut short in the mid nineties when he was shot multiple times during a drive by shooting. There are many conspiracy theories surrounding his murder and the aftermath.

Notorious B. I. G. Is another huge name in the industry and closely linked to Tupac Shakur as well. Other names that Christopher Wallace went by include Biggie and Biggie Smalls. Hailing from Brooklyn, Biggie was a student at the same high that Jay Z attended, and also rapper Busta Rhymes. Christopher Wallace, like Tupac Shakur, was killed in a drive by shooting in March of 1997.

Closely linked to Biggie Smalls is female rapper Li'l Kim, also from Brooklyn. She is the only female rapper alongside Missy Elliott with three platinum albums. She spent most of her life on the streets and got her start thanks to Notorious B. I. G. After impressing him with a freestyle.

Also closely linked to Biggie Smalls is Puff Daddy, also known as P. Diddy or simply Diddy. Real name Sean Combs, Diddy grew up in Mount Vernon. He was best friends with the murdered rapper, and made his huge breakthrough with tribute song 'Missing You', which featured Notorious B. I. G.'s wife, Faith Evans, singing the chorus. Sean Combs was name the richest man in hip hop in 2013 by Forbes Magazine. Like Jay Z, he is not only a rapper, but wears many hats including entrepreneur.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment