Rap Country pt. 4: West Coast

The word sinister comes from the ancient medieval belief that left-handed people were possessed by the Devil. As we have all learned, gangsta rap was born in Philly. But it is appropriate that it was perfected here, on the Left Coast.

West Coast hip hop is about more than gangsta rap. Although the gang culture and crime of Los Angeles have left an indelible mark on the genre, the west is home to a wider variety of acts than anticipated.

Hate it or love it, a majority of West Coast acts (at least the ones I know of) are from California. We will start down south, then head up the I5 to the Bay. Does everyone have their Chucks and low riders?

Los Angeles

Contribution: It may not have been invented here, but to many people gangsta rap will always be straight outta Compton. After its creation by Schooly D, Ice-T helped
bring the genre to LA. “6 in the Mornin,” inspired by Schooly’s “P.S.K.,” is an early and seminal work of gangsta rap.

Released in 1988, Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A. introduced many to the gangsta sound. The album helped put the City of Angels on the map and controversial single “Fuck Tha Police” was even chastised in a letter written by the assistant director of the FBI. Ice Cube helped to push gangsta into new, more politically conscious avenues. N.W.A. released the first gangsta album to hit number one with Niggaz4Life in 1991. N.W.A. members Eazy-E and Dr. Dre have had lasting impacts on the genre. Dre is still one of the premiere producers out Left and his unmistakable sound instantly causes California dreaming. The use of ghetto imagery, violence and drugs was pushed to new levels by LA artists. The beats were also different, sparse, jangly and ominous sounding, particularly when produced by Dre.

G-funk, gangsta rap over lush, funky beats, is from Los Angeles. The synths, hypnotic tones and female backing voices put the funk in G-funk. Artists like Snoop Dogg, Warren G and the inescapable Dre put in the gangsta.

LA’s other contribution was its revelation of the industry’s ugly side. The CEO of Death Row Records, Suge Knight, ruled the scene with an iron thumb. Violence ruled Los Angeles and the city claimed the lives of both Tupac and Biggie Smalls.

Style: LA rappers tend to have a slower delivery than their Big Apple counterparts. The flow is difficult to describe; not quite southern drawl but definitely its own flavor. Hispanic and punk/hardcore music makes a mark also, particularly in acts like Cypress Hill and Skinhead Rob. More than anything, LA music has a “feel” to it, much like New York City cuts.

Listen to This: Straight Outta Compton is LA 101 and many other N.W.A. tracks are gold. “100 Miles and Runnin’” and “Express Yourself” are also favorites. N.W.A. member Eazy-E’s Compton anthem “Boyz in the Hood” is another classic. Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle is a prime G-funk record and the Warren G and Nate Dogg single “Regulate” is another indicative example. Dr. Dre’s The Chronic and The Chronic 2001 are must listens. “It Ain’t Nothin,” “How I Could Just Kill a Man” and “Southland Killers” are all good Cypress Hill primers. The Game carries on N.W.A.’s gangsta style today. The Documentary and Doctor’s Advocate are both good listens filled with recognizable singles and catchy rhymes. For my money, though, L.A.X. is his best album, and finally picks up the torch dropped by the band he has tattooed on his chest.

The Bay: Oakland, SF, SJ

Contribution: The Bay’s most noticeable contribution is hyphy music. Stylistically similar to southern crunk, people have been gettin’ stupid in the Bay since the mid 90’s. Hyphy took longer than crunk to hit the mainstream, with acts like E-40 getting heavy radio play in 2006. Keak Da Sneak coined the term. The Bay is/was dominated by Keak, the dearly departed Mac Dre, Andre Nickatina and E-40. Oakland rapper Too Short is another popular Bay artist and helped to bring pimp imagery into the mainstream. The Bay Area is home to the hyphy tradition of ghost riding. Underground favorites Hieroglyphics are from Oakland.

Style: The Bay is composed of different cities and different styles, from the speedy, raspy flow of Keak Da Sneak to the equally quick but rubbery sound of E-40. Nickatina has a thick, recognizable voice that is difficult to describe. He and Mac Dre tend to avoid the hyphy style, which includes syncopated rhythms and jangly drums that feel like a train about to go off the tracks.

Listen to This: “Super Hyphy” by Keak Da Sneak is a prime hyphy song, while “Ghost Ride It” by Mistah F.A.B. features an awesome sample of the Ghost Buster’s theme song and is an anthem for those who love to let Casper drive. E-40’s “Tell Me When to Go” is perhaps the most well known hyphy song. Andre Nickatina is my favorite Bay area rapper. “Ayo for Yayo” and “Last Rap I’ll Ever Write” are good intro tracks. “Ike Turner,” released when Nickatina went by Dre Dog, is another good cut. Nickatina’s albums Raven in My Eyes (an expansion of Cocaine Raps vol. 1) and Daiquiri Factory: Cocaine Raps vol. 2 are classics.

Although it dominates the scene, California is not the only place on the left where hip hop exists. Jake One holds down Seattle, along with Sir Mix-a-Lot. Then there’s always … uh … ok, it’s mostly California. Still, there’s more than enough good stuff here to keep you feeling Pacific for a while.

I hope my insights into this American art form have helped spur your own exploration into hip hop culture. Always remember, from East to West, Great Lakes to the Gulf, this is Rap Country.