![]() ![]() While the Brooklyn rapper’s explosive lyricism and vivid storytelling made him a favourite of all hardcore hip hop heads, his smooth flow and undeniable charisma made him an instant hit with the masses – something that Nas didn’t achieve until later on. Other rappers would have longer and more dominant reigns as the King of New York, Big did it during a time when it was most competitive – not only did you have Nas fresh off dropping Illmatic (arguably the greatest hip hop album of all time) you also had the likes of Wu-Tang, Mobb Deep and Jay-Z lurking in the cut. While Nas was sitting on the throne for the first half of 1994, as soon as Big’s lead single “Juicy” dropped on August 9, followed by Ready to Die a month, it was clear to the city who the new king was. When it comes to the title of King of New York, few rappers have ever held the crown as convincingly as The Notorious B.I.G. Singles: Juicy” (#27 on Billboard Hot 100), “Big Poppa” (#6 on Billboard Hot 100), “One More Chance (Stay with Me Remix)” (#2 on Billboard Hot 100), “Player’s Anthem” (#13 on Billboard Hot 100), “Get Money” (#17 on Billboard Hot 100), Total’s “Can’t You See” (#13 on Billboard Hot 100) However, it was Nas’s magnetic charisma and the sheer brilliance of Illmatic that shone brightest, casting a long shadow over his competition. During this era, the electric energy of New York’s rap scene pulsed with the undeniable presence of talented contenders like Biggie and Method Man. From that moment on, Nas would hold the crown as the undisputed King of New York, galvanising the city’s hip hop scene with his elevated poetry in motion and vivid storytelling. After taking a few more years to work on his debut album, the Queensbridge MC would unleash his first single “Halftime” in 1992, then “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” at the beginning of 1994. Singles: “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” (#91 on Billboard Hot 100), “The World Is Yours” (#27 on Hot Rap Songs)įrom the moment Nas burst onto the scene with his game-changing feature verse on Main Source’s “Live at the Barbeque,” he was anointed the second coming of Rakim. Around this time, Biggie and Nas were making their come-up, but Meth’s gritty flow, husky voice and captivating stage presence helped to set him apart from the pack, securing his place in the conversation of the King of New York. The single sold a staggering 10,000 copies, and the eponymous track reached #69 on the Billboard Hot 100. Wu-Tang’s first single, “Protect Ya Neck,” had already generated an underground buzz, but it was the 1993 re-release with the unforgettable “Method Man” as the B-side that catapulted the group into hip-hop stardom. Out of the Shaolin crew of killer lyricists, it was Method Man who emerged as the number contender for the King of New York title, bringing a hot liquid flow and electrifying energy every time he blessed the mic. While this was happening, an enigmatic group comprised of nine masked ninjas were plotting their entrance into the rap game. Dre, Snoop Dogg and the Death Row crew detonated an atomic bomb laced with the purest G-funk sounds that helped L.A. After years of the East Coast innovating the hip hop artform and dominating the culture, Dr. Singles: “Method Man” (#69 on Billboard Hot 100)īy 1993, the West Coast was running hip hop. And then, we’ll chart the journey to the new millennium when a new player entered the game – a fierce contender from Queens named 50 Cent, whose unstoppable rise shook the foundations of the New York rap scene. We’ll take you back to that intoxicating time when Biggie Smalls’ reign was as immense as his talent, a time when his voice echoed through every borough, every corner of the city. Iconic names like Jay-Z, Biggie, Nas, Mob Deep, Wu-Tang all formed crews, produced classics, dropped chart-topping hits and diss tracks to snatch the crown. With a long line of hip hop royalty who have fought for the throne, the New York rap scene was perhaps the most competitive ever - especially during the mid ’90s. Because you see, in a time where hip hop was largely defined by the East Coast scene, being the King of New York signified you were not only the monarch of this mighty city but also the reigning sovereign of the entire rap world. ![]() From the graffiti-tagged alleyways of the Bronx to the neon-bathed avenues of Manhattan, New York City is not only the birthplace of hip hop but also the proving ground where legends are born and rap careers are defined.Īnd within this tumultuous, electrifying world, the title of King of New York was not just a label, but a mantle of supremacy, the ultimate accolade in the rap game. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |