90s Rap in California

Throughout California there was a surge of Rap music in the 90s in both Northern and Southern California. However, this emergence as its own genre was somewhat overshadowed by the East Coast/ West Coast rivalry that resulted in the deaths of two of Rap music most famed artist Tupac Amaru Shakur (2Pac) and Christopher George Latore Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.). The lyrics at this time still had a focus on the lives of the rappers and the hardships they had gone through.

2pac – I get Around, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z (1993)
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2pac – California Love, How Do U Want It (1995)
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2pac – Changes (feat. Talent), Greatest Hits (1998)
2pac – Hit ‘Em up (feat. Outlawz), How Do U Want It (1995)
2pac – Life Goes On, All Eyez on Me (1996)
2Pac – Temptations, Me Against the World (1995)

• Born Tupac Shakur, he was a rapper who was born in New York but grew up in Northern California. He began to gain fame in the early 90s. His music speaks about the struggles African Americans face as well as their lifestyles. He was a part of the East cost/West coast rivalry, especially The Notorious B.I.G and Bad Boy Records. In September 1996 he was killed in a drive by shooting in Las Vegas. He was been credited as one of the best MCs/Rappers of all time and most artists credit him for their success.

415 – Sideshow, 41Fivin (1991)
415 – Nu Niggas on the Block, Nu Niggaz on Tha Blokk (1991)
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415 – 415 is the Code, Nu Niggaz on Tha Blokk (1991)

• This group was from Oakland, CA and was a part of Priority Records, followed by Big League Records, Inc. The group members were Richard Serrell (Richie Rich) and D-Loc. Most of their music was produced by DJ Daryl and J.E.D. The group’s album Nu Niggaz on Tha Blokk is mostly done by D-Loc because Serrell was in prison.

Dr. Dre – Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thing, The Chronic (1992)
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Dr. Dre – Fuck with Dre Day, The Chronic (1992)
Dr. Dre – Been There, Done that, The Aftermath (1997)

•  Andre Young was first a member of World Class Wreckin’ Cru before joining N.W.A.. After N.W.A. disbanded he was released from Ruthless Records and made his own solo album The Chronic which was released by Death Row Records. His music had a g-funk (a altered tempo) sound that was very popular in the 90s. He went on to be a co-owner of the record label and is now an entrepreneur and owns his own label, Aftermath Entertainment.

Ice Cube – Natural Born Killaz, Murder was the Case (1994)
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Ice Cube – AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted (1990)
Ice Cube – What They Hittin foe?, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted (1990)

• O’Shea Jackson grew up in South Central LA and began his rap career as a member of C.I.A and he later joined N.W.A., but left in 1989 and started his own solo career. Most of his songs are honest stories of the problems people living in LA face, but they are very politically biased and contain violence because of how honest the lyrics are.  He has also found success as an actor and has been ranked #8 on MTV’s list of Great MCs of all time.

Luniz – I Got 5 on It, Operation Stackola (1995)
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Luniz – Oakland Raiders, Silver & Black (2002)

• This rap duo was from Oakland, CA and its members were Jerold Ellis (Yukmouth) and Garrick Husbands (Numskull). Their song “I Got 5 on It” was internationally successful and sold over one million copies in the U.S. alone. The group’s lyrics focus on gangs, drugs, and in their Silver & Black album there is a focus on all things Oakland.

MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (1990)
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MC Hammer – Too Legit to Quit, Too Legit To Quit (1991)
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• Stanley Burrell is from Oakland, CA and is equally known for these two songs, as well as being broke. Both of these songs had cathy choreography and he became a household name from his Hammer pants. His song” U Can’t Touch This” was the first rap song to be #1 on a pop chart.