East Coast hip hop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Coast hip hop |
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Stylistic origins | Hip hop, dancehall, toasting, R&B, disco, funk, jazz |
Cultural origins | Late 1970s New York City |
Typical instruments | Drum machine, drum kit, turntables, rapping, sampler, brass, piano, human beatboxing |
Regional scenes | |
New York City - Philadelphia - New Jersey - Boston - Baltimore - Washington, D.C. - Virginia Beach - Rochester - Toronto - Pittsburgh | |
Other topics | |
Roots of hip hop - Hip hop culture - Timeline of hip hop - Old school hip hop - The golden age of hip hop - Five Percent Nation - East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry |
East Coast hip hop or East Coast rap is a type of hip hop music. It started in the late 1970s in New York City, on the East Coast of the United States. This style of hip hop is known for its focus on strong lyrics and storytelling. It also often uses complex beats and samples from other music. Many famous artists have come from the East Coast hip hop scene.
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What is East Coast Hip Hop?
East Coast hip hop is one of the first and most important styles of hip hop music. It began in the Bronx, a borough of New York City. This music style grew out of block parties and street performances. DJs would play records, and MCs (rappers) would rhyme over the beats.
Key Features of the Style
East Coast hip hop has some special features. It often has very detailed and clever lyrics. Rappers tell stories or share their thoughts in a poetic way. The beats can be complex, using different sounds and rhythms. Producers often use samples from jazz, soul, and funk songs.
Focus on Lyrical Skill
A big part of East Coast hip hop is the focus on how well a rapper can rhyme. Artists often try to use many words and create interesting patterns. They might tell long stories or paint vivid pictures with their words. This makes the lyrics very important to the music.
Diverse Sound and Beats
The sound of East Coast hip hop can change a lot. Some songs have a hard, gritty sound. Others might be smoother and more jazzy. This variety comes from the different producers and the sounds they choose to sample. It makes the music exciting and unpredictable.
History and Development
East Coast hip hop started in the late 1970s. It became very popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Many important artists helped shape its sound and style.
The Early Days (1970s-1980s)
In the beginning, hip hop was mostly about parties and fun. Early artists like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and Kurtis Blow helped bring the sound to a wider audience. They showed how powerful and creative rap music could be.
The Golden Age of Hip Hop (Mid-1980s to Mid-1990s)
The "Golden Age" was a special time for East Coast hip hop. Many artists pushed the boundaries of the music. Groups like Run-DMC, Public Enemy, and A Tribe Called Quest became very famous. They explored new sounds and tackled important topics in their songs. This era saw a lot of creativity and growth in the genre.
Influential Artists and Groups
Many artists from the East Coast became legends. Nas is known for his amazing storytelling and complex rhymes. The Wu-Tang Clan brought a unique, gritty sound and a large group of talented rappers. These artists helped define what East Coast hip hop sounds like.
Impact and Legacy
East Coast hip hop has had a huge impact on music around the world. It showed that rap music could be artistic and meaningful. It influenced many other hip hop styles and genres.
Influence on Other Music
The lyrical skills and production techniques from East Coast hip hop spread everywhere. Artists from other regions and even other countries learned from it. It helped make hip hop a global music phenomenon.
Continued Popularity
Even today, East Coast hip hop remains very popular. New artists continue to be inspired by its classic sound. Older songs are still loved by fans of all ages. It is a lasting part of music history.

Related pages
See also
In Spanish: East Coast rap para niños