The world of hip hop has experienced many layers of transition this year, making room for prodigy rappers to the greatest musicians of all time. The rhapsody didn’t stop for the nuisance going all around the world for coronavirus. This post is made to pay homage to all the upcoming hip-hoppers and big MCs of all time who contributed new ideas and sound waves that only enriched the genre. Here is the list of the best rappers from Los Angeles that includes names of solo artists like Tupac and Kendrick Lamar, and it doesn’t forget about the striving groups like N.W.A and Odd Future. There must be something in the water of California because all of these artists are born and bred in the dreamer’s city, sharing iconic story-line with their exclusive gangsta style rap or freestyle magic.
- Tupac Shakur
The countdown starts with Tupac, the American singer, and actor who has given too many hits over the past couple of years. Tupac Shakur is famously known as 2Pac in the hip hop industry. Most of his rap compositions are the sketch of the dirt of society that many try to avoid under the veil of glam glitz of the starlight. He is one of the most influential hip hop artists from L.A. who talks about social issues through the trippy verses of his songs more than anything. His music is the symbol of the power of the undogmatic youth of the city and his voice for the fight for equity.
He optimistically approaches with the statement “The POWER IS IN THE PEOPLE and politics we address”. Better Dayz in 2002 and Pac’s Life in 2006 are the two biggest albums in his life. These represent the pages from a different chapter of his life.
- Ice Cube
The second most popular hip-hopper of all time should be O’Shea Jackson, who shone brighter than the stars with his stage name Ice Cube. He is an American rapper with excellent achievements in acting and filmmaking. You can say that he was the rightful pioneer of the rapid popularity of gangsta rap tradition. With the unbiased lyrics on N.W.A’s 1988 album straight Outta Compton, he contributed the possible exposure that the hip hop industry needed. His songs are based on the political unrest inside America. He started his career in movies in 1991. The famous movies under his hood are Boyz n the Hood and Friday.
‘It Was a Good Day’ and ‘Check Yo Self’ are the milestones of his long music career.
- Snoop Dogg
What to say about this artist who’s a one-man showrunner. Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. was born in 1971.
Snoop Dogg is a tremendous entertainer who has fans from all decades. Hip hop lovers of any generation start to love hip hop with their popular songs. He is the father who nurtured hip hop musicality with his creative aesthetic and daring penchant. He has observed a couple of hundred trends in the music industry. He is an American rapper and actor who featured on Dr. Dre’s debut solo single, “Deep Cover”. It was a never-ending ride of a rollercoaster that is only going up. He has presented masterpieces with iconic collaborations such as Katy Perry, 2Pac, Pharrell, T-Pain, Akon, and many others.
- Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is the genius American rapper ad record producer who has given many hit songs such as ‘All The Stars’ from Black Panther, ‘Swimming Pools’ and ‘HUMBLE’. Lamar is regarded as one of the most influential mainstream rappers who debuted in 2012 with the album Good Kid. Millennial rap lovers treat him like a rap god already. His authentic style of multi-layered rapping about societal discrimination and mental health has given him the support of millions of hip hop enthusiasts. He adds unconventional facets of jazz, funk, and soul to mainstream hip hop on his album To Pimp a Butterfly.
- Dre
Andre Romelle Young, professionally known as Dr. Dre was born in 1965. He is an outstanding American rapper and record producer who founded Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics. He was caught under the spotlight when he joined the gangsta rap group N.W.A. They were the first band to produce provocative compositions highlighting the rawness of street life.
- W.A
N.W.A stands for Niggaz Wit Attitudes, an American group of hip-hoppers out of California that tried to showcase the hustles of street rappers. They found fame easily with controversial gangsta rap songs. They are one of the earliest bands that were notably popular for practicing the uprising subgenre of hip hop.
The band performed from 1987 to 1991 with lots of controversial interference due to their misogynistic inclination in the songs. Heavy use of narcotic influence on the lyrics was often criticized.
- Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright a.k.a Eazy-E pushed the boundaries to make future with the widely popular subgenre gangsta rap by joining the leading hip hop group of all time, N.W.A. The American rapper and sound producer got his chances to shine while working with Ruthless Records. In his short career, the California riser made much collaboration with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. Later on, there were controversies that he got into a feud with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. He is often referred to as the godfather of gangsta hip hop.
- Nate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale a.k.a Nate Dogg is a California-born rapper and the mastermind songwriter of the 90’s hit single ‘Regulate’. His deep voice and multidimensional rap sound helped him to earn the crown “King of Hooks”.
- The Game
Jayceon Terrell Taylor is rather famous with his alter-ego The Game. Nobody could hardly match his level of influence in the West Coast hip hop scene. He released a few mixtapes before he became a big thing for the industry. He debuted with the album Untold Story in 2004.
- Warren G
Warren Griffin III was the magnificent rapper and record producer famous with his stage name Warren G. In 1990, he made it to music headlines with the new trio formed by ate Dogg and Snoop Dogg. ‘Regulate’ and ‘This D.J’ are the two killer music releases that are still heard today at the parties.