east coast rap
what it is
East Coast hip hop is the original style of hip hop music that originated in New York City, USA, during the early-1970s. East Coast hip hop emerged as a definitive subgenre after artists from other regions of the United States, West Coast hip hop, Southern hip hop and Midwest hip hop, emerged with different styles. It has since grown into a major subgenre of hip hop, and has played an instrumental role in hip hop history.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 1 · mainstream
the pop everyone knows
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make east coast rap a playlist
turn these 36 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is east coast rap?
East Coast hip hop is the original style of hip hop music that originated in New York City, USA, during the early-1970s. East Coast hip hop emerged as a definitive subgenre after artists from other regions of the United States, West Coast hip hop, Southern hip hop and Midwest hip hop, emerged with different styles. It has since grown into a major subgenre of hip hop, and has played an instrumental role in hip hop history.
What are good east coast rap albums to start with?
Try Enta Da Stage by Black Moon, Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J, Hard Core by Lil' Kim, and The Great Adventures of Slick Rick by Slick Rick.
Who are some women making east coast rap?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/east-coast-rap/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making east coast rap, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21