West coast is the best coast.

In our last blog post we touched on the south and most of the influence Atlanta rappers and producers have had in affect on the rap game. Today we move on to the west coast. If it wasn’t for New York, LA would be the most influential city to Hip Hop. So many artists and producers came from this city from every era in Hip Hop. The list can go on and on for ever Dr. Dre, NWA, Tupac, Mc Ren, Snoop Dogg and so on. However just a few miles north you have the bay, which came with a total different sound, the ” hyphy ” sound. Which took the nation by storm with artists such as Keak Da Sneak, The Pack, Mac Dre, and E40. However we are hear to talk about the influence the west coast has on the game today. We can’t do that without touching on Kendrick Lamar.

Kendrick Lamar

Good Kid m.A.A.d City

He is the most influential rapper right now, if not in the world definitely the west coast. He only has 3 studio albums and is already being declared by many major artists, websites, and forums as one of the top 10 artists in hip-hop to ever live. ” Good Kid m.A.A.d ” will go down as one of the best hip hop albums of our generation and of all times, unfortunately this post is not about the album, so I will not go into a review post, but go check it out. Last year I believe he got robbed of a Grammy for this album, that went to Macklemore, even Macklemore himself said it.

To Pimp A Butterfly

So, after just his second studio album what does he do? He could go back to his old formula that worked so well for him. In his next album ” To Pimp A Butterfly ”  he doesn’t do this, he goes a whole different direction and brings back a more jazzier feel to the music. Taking it back to the roots. Mark my words ” To Pimp A Butterfly ” will receive a grammar, it’s just too good not to, the lyrics are eye opening and gives a complex view on society and black culture, the instrumentals used are bar none. It’s just so different than what everyone is doing currently in Hip-Hop, and that’s what Kendrick is a breath of fresh air from all the nonsense being spit in Hip-Hop, don’t get me wrong I love me some Migos, Future, and just ignant rap as much as the next sometime, but sometimes you need the complexity and just musical perfection that Kendrick Lamar brings. I believe Kendrick Lamar could win every grammy he’s nominated for and he does too.

Other Rappers from the West Coast

It wouldn’t be fair to the other rappers from the west coast also bringing heat to the table, it’s only fair that I touch on them a bit. YG 400, along with his Producer Dj Mustard they have become some of the most influential partnership in Hip Hop. It’s really ganster rap and with a certain different kind of instumentals that DJ Mustard brings. Heck, YG is the sole reason all these young cats are using the slang words you would use if you where a blood from Compton, or should I say Bompton. YG’s album ” My Krazy Life ” is basically the gansterfied side of Kendrick’s Good Kid m.A.A.d telling the story of living in Compton, California. Other rappers you should be checking out from the west coast. Nef the Pharoh, IAMSU, HBK, RJ, Dom Kennedy.

Make sure to check out the artist to look out in 2016