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American hip hop
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The United States is the nation of origin of hip hop, a cultural movement that began in the 1970s in New York City, among primarily African American and Hispanic audiences. For many years, hip hop remained known only in a few neighborhoods in New York, but it spread to nearby urban areas like Philadelphia and New Jersey. During the early to mid-1980s, hip hop underwent regional diversification, while New York-based East Coast hip hop attained the first national recognition for recorded hip hop. Cities like Miami, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Detroit, Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Memphis and the San Francisco Bay Area developed their own styles, incorporating local influences. Beginning with N.W.A, West Coast rap, based primarily in Los Angeles, became a mainstream success. For the first time, New York was not the only city on the hip hop map. The two were rivals in many ways, fueling the East Coast-West Coast rivalry. In the late 1990s, many cities saw their own scenes find popular acclaim. These included Miami, Atlanta, St. Louis and New Orleans. The East Coast Boston Boston Boston Massachusetts first gained attention nationally with the success of The Almighty RSO prior to RSO (one time members of Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit) & Ed O.G. and Da Bulldogs in the early 90s, most notably with their song "I Got To Have It" off of the album "Life of a Kid in the Ghetto". Their burgeoning underground hip hop scene has given rise to many notable undergrounds acts, such as Mr. Lif and Akrobatik of the Perceptionists, Benzino, Gangstarr and 7L & Esoteric. Boston is also home to many notable acts. John Cena a rapper/wrestler from West Newbury, Massachusetts released his debut album You Can't See Me in 2005. Cena is also famous for freestyle raps that he performs on his fellow WWE wrestlers. The Boston scene includes MCs such as and Big Shug as well as underground rappers Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, Edan, Dre Robinson, Slaine, MC/producer duo 7L & Esoteric, and Termanology. Boston is also the birthplace of The Source, America's longest running rap periodical, as well as undergroundhiphop.com, one of the more recognized websites dedicated to underground hip hop. Boston was also home to Landspeed Records, which was a dominant independent hip hop label in the 1990s and early 2000s, and home to many underground hip hop acts. All in all, Boston, Massachusetts is far and wide known as the birth-place to some great rappers. New York City New York City was the birthplace of hip hop, in the early 70's and all of its prime early movers, such as DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Caz and Afrika Bambaataa grew up and began performing there. The city also produced all of the style's early stars, like LL Cool J (from Queens) and Kurtis Blow. Other influential artists from the New York area and this era that have endured through the ages are KRS-One (from the Bronx), Public Enemy (from Long Island), Run-DMC (from Queens), and the Beastie Boys (from Brooklyn). By the beginning of the 1990s, however, the West Coast had eclipsed New York in popular success. This began a rivalry which culminated in the deaths of New York MC Notorious B.I.G. and West Coast rapper 2Pac, who was born in East Harlem. In 1993 the pioneering Wu-Tang Clan from Staten Island emerged, and have continued to be influential to independent street hip hop. By the middle of the decade, Puff Daddy (from Manhattan), the Notorious BIG and Mase reinvigorated East Coast rap to popular acclaim using a pop-oriented approach. The East Coast also bred several hard-edged stars during this time, including Big Pun, Busta Rhymes, DMX (from Yonkers) and Nas, culminating in the breakthrough of Brooklyn's Jay-Z late in the decade. New York also produced a vital underground in the Native Tongues Posse, including A Tribe Called Quest and long island natives De La Soul. 50 Cent & his G-Unit clique, Ja Rule, Mobb Deep, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, C-Rayz Walz, and Fabolous are a few successful rappers/groups of the 21st century from the New York area. New Jersey Having historically played second violin to New York, New Jersey's musical circles have nonetheless produced several high-profile artists, such as Jus Allah, Queen Latifah, Outsidaz, Naughty By Nature, Poor Righteous Teachers, Redman, Lords Of The Underground, The Fugees, Outlawz, Akon, Artifacts, Chino XL, Joe Budden and producer Just Blaze, who was born in Paterson. Some rappers also have little-known ties with the state, such as Ice T and Scarface, was born in New Jersey but later moved away. Its major hubs are Newark, Jersey City, Camden, Philadelphia Philadelphia has produced a few of the most hard-edged rappers, including Schoolly D from West Philly Cool C from West Philly, Tuff Crew from North Philly, Three Times Dope from West Philly, and Kurupt. DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince from West Philly were one of the first to put Philly on the map along with Steady B from West Philly. While Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff made music that crossed over to R&B and Pop radio, Steady B drove the Philly underground sound with hard beats and rhymes which were reminiscent of early LL Cool J. The Roots, the first proclaimed hip hop band, have also been followed by underground fans since the mid-1990s like Da Youngsta's. Bahamadia from West Philly also hails from Philly, and has worked with the likes of The Roots, as well as Gang Starr. She is a well known & highly respected female MC on the scene. It also famous for early 2000s mainstream acts such as dj a.m dj dwizz dj antstar dj dee sqaure dj imir for philadelphia's hot party music.dj drama Beanie Sigelfrom South Philly, Eve from West Philly, Freeway from North Philly, State Property, Ice City, Cassidy from North Philly, Larsiny, Philly's Most Wanted, Major Figgas, and Cyssero. Currently, the biggest underground rapper is Meek Mill with his popular mixtapes, Flamers, Flamers 2 and Flamers 2.5. The Philadelphia hip hop scene has a unique style and slang; the term "jawn" is used as a universal interjection. It is arguably best for its battle rappers and its real artist. its known for its dangerous streets. Baltimore Despite having one of the largest African-American populations in the nation (64%), Baltimore's biggest claim to fame in rap was being the teenage hometown of the late Tupac Shakur who attended the Baltimore School for the Arts. Also from Baltimore was the 1990s R&B group Dru Hill and 2000s R&B group Ruff Endz. Its lead singer Sisqó, from Dru Hills R&B group who in 2000 had a few hits, most notably with the "Thong Song." Baltimore is also the hometown of Mario, who is best known for his hit single "Let Me Love You." and Paula Campbell she is a R&B singer There is also a music scene in Baltimore that is often referred to as Baltimore Club like Big Red with Hay You Kunckleheadz (Rep Ya Hood). While not traditional hip hop, it incorporates hip hop as well as house and drum and bass influences. It is also the birthplace of DMX, who in turn grew up in Yonkers, New York. Bossman is from Northeast Baltimore and Mullyman is from West Baltimore B Rich, Barnes, Pete Da Young Dunny, NOE. Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C.'s hip hop scene has always been overshadowed by go-go. While go has failed to break into popular mainstream music, it still remains at the forefront of urban music in the greater Washington D.C. area. Two notable pioneers in the D.C. hip hop scene are DJ Kool, whose 20+ year career includes the hit "Let Me Clear My Throat", as well as guest appearances on tracks by Redman, Mýa and Rampage, Trouble Funk, Experience Unlimited (EU) and DC Scorpio. Although DC Scorpio only released three singles in the late 80's, the video for "Stone Cold Hustler II" was a staple on BET's Rap City for months after its release. Though considered more go than straight hip hop, Stinky Dink, who had a major hit locally with his 1991 release "One Track Mind", and Fat Rodney are both considered forefathers in emceeing in the D.C. area. The 90s saw an expansion of D.C. hip hop's scene. 3LG, also known as Three Levels of Genius, were a cornerstone of the D.C. hip hop scene. Combining a 4-piece band with complex lyrics, 3LG paved the way for many underground acts in the D.C. area, winning 6 Washington Area Music Awards for Best Hip Hop Group throughout their career. Head-Roc and Platted Mind, two of the emcees from 3LG, were also members of the group Infinite Loop, which included One Two, Noyeek the Grizzly Bear and Omega Red among its expansive roster of members. Priest Da Nomad and Storm the Unpredictable are two established emcees who started making a name for themselves in the mid-90s. Though actually hailing from the Northern Virginia metropolitan area, Team Demolition is also a notable group in the D.C. hip hop scene, and was one of the first to independently release and distribute their music on record and CD, garnering some buzz off the strength of their 1998 single "Dirty Gusto". They Asheru and Blue Black, also known as the group Unspoken Heard, are well known in the underground hip hop scene; Asheru is best known nationally for performing the theme song for the Adult Swim cartoon The Boondocks. Live hip hop band Mello-D and the Rados has also made major buzz since their 1996 debut like Nonchalant with 5 O'Clock. In addition to several late 90's college radio hits Mello-D & the Rados is best known for the song "Cool Witchu" whose video debuted on B.E.T., MTV2 and other networks in 2005. The band has toured overseas and has collaborated with KRS-ONE, The Roots, Jill Scott and others. Additional Notable acts emerging since 2000 include Thad Reid, K-Beta, Bomani Armah, Tabi Bonney, and ,Gods'Illa and Black Indian With Get 'Em Psyched in 2000. Virginia Virginia has a long and influential history in the growth of HipHop. In the early 80s Richmond, already a regular stop on the major concert tour circuit, became a premier venue location for established acts like The Treacherous Three, West Street Mob, Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, The Sequence, and Kurtis Blow to perform outside of New York City. Well connected concert promoter Hosea Foxx and New Jersey transplant radio dj Kirby Carmichael were instrumental in bringing the very first hip hop artists out of their local markets. This exposure created an underground Hip Hop scene in Eastern Virginia that was far ahead of the many larger urban areas. Rappers such as The Royal Sounds Crew, The Z-Rock, and The Imperial Mixmasters played to crowds numbering in the thousands as peoples' fascination with Hip Hop spread. In 1983 WQKS Kiss 96 (Richmond, Hampton, Va Beach, Norfolk) became the first FM stereo station broadcasting local emcees and allowing its on-air deejays to mix live. Richmond's proximity to Washington DC allowed a heavy influence of the DC GoGo sound which allowed many Hip Hop artist to perform alongside such Go Go greats as Chuck Brown and Trouble Funk. This influence is reflected in songs such as LL Cool J's Rock the Bells and Kurtis Blows "I'm Chillin" which featured Go Go bands. It is further reflected in Doug E Fresh's "I'm Gettin Ready" which featured DCs Rare Essence. Richmond's Hip Hop scene birthed one of the most influential individuals in this genre whose impact is still seen to this day. The Grandmaster Jay (New York transplant)achieved platinum artist like fame without recording a single commercial single and came to the attention of Sylvia Robinson (SugarHill Records) in 1981 and Russell Simmons (Def Jam Records) in 1984. His invention of the multi-track turntable mixtape influenced deejays and rappers from New York to Florida. He was crowned the KISS MasterMix Champion two years in a row (1984-1985) and was one of the premier battle emcess of the early Hip Hop era.Grandmaster Jay and The Fantastic Five (Magic Dee, Dallas B, Tony T,Mr. Ease) held the Southern Hip Hop scene against such Northern artists as Biz Markie and UTFO until the decline of the Golden Era around 1987. Artists such as The Almighty Mike Cee, Disco Tee, Mike B (Funk Motor), Sir RJ,and Cooley Tee laid the foundation for all Hip Hop to grow in Va and surrounding states. The Richmond Hip Hop scene gave rise to the Hip Hop scenes in cities such as Hampton, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and Norfolk. Once a hub of Hip Hop, Richmond cracked down on all venues and eliminated this scene after events drawing crowds numbering in the tens of thousands became violent and unmanageable. Virginia has long been a state of Hip-Hop innovation since the early 90s with Teddy Riley's (originally from New York) Future Records; based in Virginia Beach and its Wreckx-N-Effect duo with hits like "Rump Shaker". Which later gave rise to other performers and producers like Pharrell and Chad Hugo as The Neptunes. He also spear-headed the Hip-Hop sub-genre of New Jack Swing. The scene has also produced numerous other well sought after producers such as Timbaland, Nottz and Rich Harrison. Other notable acts include Mad Skillz from Richmond, North Side like D'Angelo and The Superfriendz (Richmond), DMP, Clipse who shot to mainstream status with their Neptunes produced hit "Grindin", Yung Nem from Hampton Roads who is a member of the Bronx and Virginia group Young Warriorz, Wu Syndicate (a short lived expansion of the Wu-Tang Clan), also NBA player Allen Iverson as Jewelz and his controversial unreleased album, and Missy Elliott. Virginia has a well defined underground scene with epicenters around the cities of Hampton Roads (Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach), Richmond, Roanoke, and the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. that is home to promising up and coming hip-hop artists. Midwest Chicago The first Chicago hip hop record was the Groovy Ghost Show by Casper, released in 1980 and a distinctively Chicago sound began by 1982, with Caution and Plee Fresh. Chicago also saw the development of house music (a form of electronic dance music, Chicago House) in the early 1980s and this soon mixed with hip hop. DJ International, and local underground record label, housed the lion share of hip house projects featuring rappers like Fast Eddie, Tyree Cooper, the late Rock Steady, Sundance, Diva etc.; this is called hip house, and gained some national popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Chicago underground scene produced several major acts such as Common, Da Brat, Do or Die, and Crucial Conflict. Despite having the second-largest African American population in the nation (after New York, in numbers), only now with Kanye West, Twista, MC Juice, Shawnna, Lupe Fiasco, Common, Yung Berg, Rhymefest, Jeremih, Malik Yusef, Really Doe, Soulja Boy, The Cool Kids, and GLC. Chicago rappers, Twista and Rebel XD, were Guinness Book record holders in the category "Fastest Rap MC" (though of the pair, only Twista has released albums). Ohio The Ohio Hip Hop scene ws influenced by music coming from both the East and the West Coasts. This mixture produced a unique blend of both resulting in the first artist to reach national promininence in the 1990s with Bone Thugs N Harmony being signed to Eazy E's Ruthless Records label. This group produced several platinum selling hits including most notably Crossroads in honor of their discoverer's untimely death. Rapper Bow Wow also hails from Columbus, as does Blueprint, a solo artist and member of Soul Position. Producer and rapper Hi-Tek has become a well respected player in the hip industry. He is best known as the producer and other half of Talib Kweli. Hi-Tek has released a collaboration album with Talib Kweli and two solo albums. He has produced songs for 50cent, G-Unit, The Game, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and Common. The most recent hip hop artist to come out of Ohio is Kid Cudi. Cleveland One of the most influential hip hop groups of all time is from Cleveland, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, they are best known for coining a fast pace flow with R&B like harmonies which paved the way for a whole new genre of rap. Ray Cash is from Cleveland. R&B singer Avant is from Cleveland. New genre artist Kid Cudi hails from Cleveland. Cincinnati Czar-Nok was signed to Atlantic in 2005 and had success with their song "Pimp Tight". Cincinnati has a well developed underground Hip Hop Gospel scene which has produced several prominent artsis such as K Drama. John Taylor aka weakSauce is heard to be exceptional and could be the first big rapper From Cincinnati. He hood as hell dont be hating on dat weaksauce. St. Louis St. Louis, Missouri has produced a few prominent rappers, of which Nelly & the St. Lunatics, Chingy, Jibbs, Huey and J-Kwon are the best known. Topeka Tech N9ne is known to be a reasonably fast rapper, also known for his ability to speed-rap, a skill mostly dominant in the American Midwest, and due to his geographic location as well as his fast rapping shares many of the same fans as Twista and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Other notable artists including Mac Lethal, Reach, Rich the Factor, DJ Sku, Stik Figa, Miles Bonny, Joc Max, and Approach (among others) are steadily making names for themselves on national level. Indiana Indiana has an emerging underground rap scene with some underground artists. Along with Mike Epps starting Naptown Records in Indianapolis with some local artists. Some rappers started hitting the Indiana music scene recently including Freddie Gibbs and Sani G from Gary, and G-Fresh, N.A.P, Uneeq, and Naptown Ridaz from Indianapolis. Naptown is a name used by rappers when referring to Indianapolis in many songs. Milwaukee Denver Sioux City, Iowa Sioux City is becoming increasingly known for its Hip-Hop following. Acts based out of the town include Pyzon, Jon Jubilee, Ridiculous, The Gateway Drug, Lazer Rocket Arm, Vital Hourz, Destino, Kisor Flowsay, and Trent A.K.A. Simmy. The scene for underground hip-hop has grown vastly in Sioux City IA. Twin Cities The South Louisiana Louisiana has been up on the rise with many other hip hop and rap artists. Baton Rouge (Jigg City) has been on the map since the mid 90's with artists like C-Loc, Young Bleed and Beelow releasing debut albums in that era, some artists from Baton Rouge have collaborated with other well known labels from other cities such as C-Loc (No Limit, Dope House), Young Bleed (No Limit), Max Minelli (Dope House), Trill Entertainment was co-funded by Pimp C of UGK, with a roster including artists like Lil Boosie who was prevoiously associated with C-Loc's Concentration Camp, Webbie, Foxx and Big Head. Shreveport (Ratchet City) has also been upcoming with artist such as Hurricane Chris with his hits Ay Bay Bay, Hand Clap, and featuring SupaStar from Texas and a label that helped Hurricane Chris get into the mainstream called Lave House, the label has recorded a collabrative album with Lil Boosie. Atlanta In the late 1990s, a wave of Atlanta-based performers like Arrested Development,Goodie Mob and Outkast gained national attention. By the mid 90's, Outkast had become critical behemoths and the Southern rap-inspired Dirty South style was a major component of popular hip hop. Although there a many subgenres of Dirty South Hip-Hop,Atlanta has also popularized another subgenre of hip-hop called Snap music, which helped to spawn many dances including the *Correction. Bankhead Bounce was around long before snap music was invented.* Bankhead Bounce, the A-town Stomp, the Laffy Taffy, Walkin' It Out and the Roosevelt. Atlanta is currently the most productive hip hop city with the biggest names being Outkast, Bubba Sparxxx, Ludacris, Lil Jon, Young Jeezy,Ciara, Ying Yang Twins, Bonecrusher, Field Mob, Dem Franchise Boyz, Unk, Usher, Young Bloodz, D4L, Crime Mob,Gucci Mane, Yung Joc, Killer Mike, Jermaine Dupri, and T.I. Houston Houston first came on to the national scene in the late 1980s with the violent and disturbing stories told by the Geto Boys, with member Scarface going successfully solo in the mid 90s. In the early 2000s Houston, also known as the "3rd coast", exploded into the forefront of Southern hip hop, with commercially successful acts like Mike Jones, Slim Thug, , Chamillionaire and Paul Wall. UGK now calls Houston home although they are originally from Port Arthur, Texas. UGK which consists of Bun B and Pimp C (deceased) are considered to be Texas underground legends. They have been an enormously influential entity on southern hip hop since the 1980s. Houston has produced hip hop artists such as Mike Jones, Slim Thug, , Chamillionaire, Magnificent, Paul Wall, Bun B and Pimp C of UGK, Brooke Valentine, Trae, Z-Ro, Big Hawk, Big Pokey, Chingo Bling, Devin the Dude, DJ Screw, Big Moe, Fat Pat, Lil' Keke, Scarface, and the Geto Boys. Dallas Memphis Memphis is the home of Crunk. Starting in the early 1990s many artists put FunkyTown on the map in the South. Three 6 Mafia, Playa Fly, Gangsta Blac, 8Ball and MJG, Gangsta Pat, Indo G and Lil Blunt,Yo Gotti, and Al Kapone. Nashville Nashville is home to artists like [ and Haystak. Miami Miami is the birthplace to the Hip Hop genre, Miami bass. There's many Miami Bass artists and groups, but none compare to lengendary Miami Bass group,2 Live Crew. Miami is home to artists like, Trick Daddy, Trina, Pitbull, Jackie-O, E-Class, and Flo Rida, to name a few, as well as Jin. Hip-Hop producers Cool and Dre also hail from Miami. 2006 has seen the reemergence of Miami's hip hop scene with the break out success of Rick Ross, new CDs from Luke, Trick Daddy & Pitbull and also newcomers Wrekonize and . New Orleans Before Atlanta's takeover around 2001, the most popular scene in the South was New Orleans, led by Master P's No Limit Records featuring his 504 Boyz, Romeo, Silkk the Shocker, Mystikal, and C-Murder. Cash Money Records and Cash Money Millionaires, consisting of the who are Baby and Mannie Fresh, the Hot Boyz, which were Lil Wayne, Juvenile, B.G. and Turk, had a 1999 hit, "Bling Bling", which created a national catchphrase called Bling. They formed in 1991 by Baby and his brother Slim and made many hit records throughout the late 90s and 2000s. The future of New Orleans rap is in jeopardy due to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which has directly affected many local rap personalities. Mississippi David Banner is from Mississippi. Oklahoma Litefoot, the most prominent Native American rapper, is based in Tulsa, and operates the record label Red Vinyl. Alabama Although Alabama has many underground artists such as, The Last Mr. Bigg, B.A. Boys, M.P., Attitude and Birmingham J to name a few Rich Boy, from Mobile, Alabama is the most successful rapper to come out of the state. West Los Angeles In the early 1980s, recorded hip hop from Los Angeles began. There were two styles. One was hardcore hip hop vocalists, like Ice-T, King Tee and Toddy Tee, while the others performed a kind of electronic dance music called electro hop; these included the Arabian Prince, Egyptian Lover, and World Class Wreckin' Cru. Though there was no major acclaim until the very end of the 1980s, West Coast artists grew in stature by the middle of the decade. These hits included Ice-T's "6'n da Mornin'" (1986), one of the first gangsta rap songs, and Toddy Tee's "Batterram." Ice-T's Rhyme Pays (1987) brought critical acclaim for the West Coast. With the success of N.W.A and N.W.A. and the Posse soon after, West Coast hip hop moved quickly towards the mainstream. N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton completed the transition of West Coast hip hop to the forefront of American popular hip hop, but it was 1992's The Chronic by Dr. Dre that established the style's permanence. Death Row Records was the prominent West Coast record label. Founded by Suge Knight the label included Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and 2Pac. Another notable west coast group from the time was Latin group Cypress Hill who, like Ice-T, also dabbled in the alternative rock scene and gangsta rap. Other prominent Los Angeles artists of the 80' & 90's are Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Low Profile, Kid Frost, Above the Law, MC Eiht and his group C.M.W., DJ Quik, WC and the Maad Circle, Freestyle Fellowship, Snoop Dogg, The Pharcyde, Tha Alkaholiks, Coolio, Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound, Mack 10, Ras Kass, Xzibit, WC, Psycho Realm, Jurassic 5,Dilated Peoples, and Tupac Shakur. The Chronic was the beginning of what was known as G-funk, and included such stars as Snoop Doggy Dogg and Warren G. Its release came at a pivotal period, simultaneous with the release of Nirvana's Nevermind, and American music went through a watershed moment. There was a backlash against the late 1980s heavy metal bands, which were seen as cheap and formulaic. Nirvana and Dr. Dre shared an anti-establishment attitude which resonated with the country's youth. West Coast rap has relented much of its command in hip-hop music with the exception of elder statesmen Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg as well as Xzibit. Long Beach Though technically a part of L.A.'s hip hop sense, its huge population and successful hip-hop scene has led to some seeing Long Beach in its own light. It is the home of stars such as Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Nate Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound Tha Eastsidaz who have all had spans of major success. Delaware The hotttest rapper in the hip hop game is Dante Hemmeain Jr...he had rap battels with artist lik lil wayne and beat them in the battels San Diego Rapper/Actor Nick Cannon is from San Diego, with singles like, "Gigolo", "Your Pops Don't Like Me", and "Dime Piece", he has enjoyed moderate success with music before moving on as an entertainer. Mexican rapper Lil Rob is another rapper from San Diego to become mainstream, with his recent hits "Summer Nights" and "Bring Out the Freak in You". Jayo Felony is a rap veteran who as been rapping gangsta rap since the late 90's. Other rappers include Mitchy Slick, Jimmy Powers and Entra-P of which the latter two form the underground collective Clay Pigeons. Northern California Northern California is perhaps best known for its hardcore gangster Sacramento acts such as X-Raided, Hollow Tip, C-Bo and Brotha Lynch Hung. Brotha Lynch has worked with a diverse selection of artists, from popular underground acts such as Tech N9ne to mainstream rapper Snoop Dogg. Other rappers include Zigg Zagg, Marvalous, North Highland's P-Folks, Phonk Beta, Tallcann G, Jack Paper, Ballin A$$ Dame, C.O.S and Brotha Lynch's brother Sicx. Producers and M.C. brothers Madlib and Oh No who are major players in underground Hip Hop through the independent label Stones Throw. The Bay Area The Bay Area's reputation is largely based on alternative acts such as Souls of Mischief, Blackalicious, The Coup, Doseone, Zion I, and Del tha Funkee Homosapien. The Bay Area is also the adopted hometown of the late 2Pac, who started with the famous local act Digital Underground. It is also the hometown of the Luniz consisting of rappers Yukmouth and Numskull as well as other rappers such as Too Short, Spice 1, MC Hammer ,Andre Nickatina ,Rappin' 4-Tay, E-40, 2Pac, and Mac Dre. From 2001 to 2007, the Bay Area became home to the "Hyphy" Movement, featuring uptempo club songs from artists like E-40, Keak da Sneak, MC², Mistah F.A.B., The Federation, Ya Boy, San Quinn, Turf Talk, Messy Marv, Nump, and JT the Bigga Figga. More recently, there has been a shift in the genre migrating away from the "Hyphy" era that took the Hip-Hop industry by storm. Leading the charge are rappers such as Erk Tha Jerk, Locksmith (of Frontline), Kafani, Big Rich, Balance, Clyde Carson, The Jacka, and MC², a rap duo consisting of rappers Pius & Phyziks. The Pacific Northwest Seattle's rap scene is similar to Oakland's more intellectual style. Seattle's old School consisted of The Silver Chain Gang, The Emerald Street Boys, The Funk Brigade, Boss Cross and Gary Jam, The Gangster Girls, and The Chill Hill 3. It briefly gained national prominence in 1988 to 1991 with Sir Mix-A-Lot's novelty hits "Posse On Broadway" (selected as one of Source Magazine's 100 Best Singles of all time), and "Baby Got Back". Later, major regional acts included Source of Labor, and most recently Blue Scholars. Underground Hip Hop acts the Boom Bap Project and Grayskul have been signed to the major underground label Rhymesayers Entertainment. The Guinness Book record holder for Fastest Rap MC is the Seattle-based , breaking the record previously held by Chicago rapper Rebel XD who broke another Chicago native, mainstream rapper Twista's record back in 1993. Brown rapped 723 syllables in 51.27 seconds on his track "No Clue" at B&G Studios, Seattle, on January 15, 2005. A rap group that attended Garfield High School is Shankbone, and they are illin on the track 
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