West Coast hip hop is a regional genre of hip hop music that encompasses any artists or music that originated in the West Coast of the United States. West Coast hip hop began to dominate from a radio play and sales standpoint during the early to-mid 1990s with the birth of G-funk and the emergence of record labels such as Suge Knight and Dr. Dre's Death Row Records, Ice Cube's Lench Mob Records, the continued success of Eazy-E's Ruthless Records, Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, and others.
Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by American gangsta rap group N.W.A, which, led by Eazy-E, formed in Los Angeles County's City of Compton in early 1987. Released by his label, Ruthless Records, on August 8, 1988, the album was produced by N.W.A members Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince, with lyrics written by N.W.A members Ice Cube and MC Ren along with Ruthless rapper The D.O.C. Not merely depicting Compton's street violence, the lyrics repeatedly threaten to lead it by attacking peers and even police. The track "Fuck tha Police" drew an FBI agent's warning letter, which aided N.W.A's notoriety, with N.W.A calling itself "the world's most dangerous group."
Tha Dogg Pound is an American hip hop duo made up of rappers Kurupt and Daz Dillinger. They were signed to Death Row Records in their early careers and were key to the label's success.
Roger McBride, better known by his stage name King T, is an American West Coast Hip hop rapper from Compton, California. Emerging as one of Compton's earliest hip hop artists, he was signed to Capitol Records, where he released his debut album Act a Fool in 1988 with the hit singles "Act a Fool," "Payback's A Mutha," "The Coolest," and "Bass” [Remix], all of which were considered hip-hop classics. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he worked primarily with producer DJ Pooh, and was responsible for the rise of Tha Alkaholiks, whom he helped guide into the rap game. King T is also the CEO of his own record label, King T Inc.
Funkdoobiest was an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California, United States, composed of rappers Jason "Son Doobie" Vasquez, Tyrone "Tomahawk Funk" Pacheco and DJ Ralph "Tha Phunky Mexican" Medrano. They are members of the Soul Assassins collective. The group has released four studio albums. Their third LP, The Troubleshooters, was recorded and released without any participation of Tomahawk Funk due to his departure from the group.
Big Tymers was an American musical duo active from 1997 to 2005 and again in 2018 from New Orleans, Louisiana consisting of Cash Money Records co-founder Baby and former Cash Money in-house bounce music producer Mannie Fresh. Baby later changed his stage name to Birdman after the duo dissolved in 2005.
The Hot Boys are an American hip hop group formed in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1997. The group is made up of B.G., Lil Wayne, Juvenile and Turk.
Eazy-Duz-It is the debut studio album by American rapper Eazy-E. It was released on November 23, 1988, by Ruthless Records and Priority Records. The album charted on two different charts and went 2× Platinum in the United States despite very little promotion by radio and television. Three singles were released from the album, each charting in the US. The remastered version contains tracks from the extended play (EP), 5150: Home 4 tha Sick (1992). The 25th anniversary (2013) contains two bonus tracks which are 12" remixes of "We Want Eazy" and "Still Talkin.'"
Nemesis is an American hip-hop group formed in Dallas, Texas in the 1980s. Members of the group included MC Azim, DJ Snake, Big Al, Joe Macc and Ron C. They are considered the first rap group from Dallas to enjoy popularity in the US and world-wide, thanks to their label, Profile Records. This label was well known for bringing out many popular East Coast hip hop releases including Run-DMC, Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, and Dana Dane. Originally, Nemesis was called "Something Fresh" with group members included rappers MC Azim aka Azim Rashid, Bhumble Bee aka Bill Jackson and Eazy Roque aka Charles Roquemore. They were later joined by DJ Snake aka Don Brown, Big Al aka Al English, Casanova Rock aka Sean Lett. The rappers from Hamilton Park and the DJs from Oak Cliff became part of the Dallas, Texas underground rap scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Known for their funk-structured compositions and loud bass lines, the group debuted with the single "Oak Cliff" in 1987, and followed up with several albums on Profile Records from 1989-1995.
Eric Tyrone Breed, better known as MC Breed, was an American rapper best known for his singles "Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'", which peaked at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "Gotta Get Mine", that made it to number 6 on the Hot Rap Singles.
It's On 187um Killa is the second EP released by rapper Eazy-E and the last to be released during his lifetime. It was released on October 19, 1993 via Relativity Records and Eazy-E's Ruthless Records, as a response to Dr. Dre's debut solo album The Chronic, which, massively popular that year, repeatedly attacks Eazy. To date, this is Eazy's most successful EP or LP, it sold 110,600 copies in its first week, and peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200 as well as at number 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 1994, it was certified double-platinum, over 2 million copies sold. It remains the only Hip-Hop Gangsta Rap EP to go multiplatinum.
Antoine Franklin McColister, better known by his stage name Ace Hood, is an American rapper. He was born in Port St. Lucie, Florida and raised in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He was signed to record producer DJ Khaled's label We the Best Music Group in 2008, in a joint venture with Def Jam Recordings.
The New Breed is the second solo studio album by American hip hop recording artist and producer MC Breed from Flint, Michigan. It was released on April 27, 1993 via Wrap Records with distribution by Ichiban Records. Production was handled by MC Breed, Colin Wolfe, Warren G and The D.O.C. It features guest appearances from 2Pac, DFC, Jibri, Admiral D and Black Ceasar. The New Breed found decent success, making it to #156 on the Billboard 200 and #16 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. The album spawned three singles: "Gotta Get Mine", "Tight" and "Everyday Ho"/"Flashbacks". Its lead single, "Gotta Get Mine", reached #96 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, #61 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, #6 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, and appeared in 2002 film 8 Mile. Another single, "Tight", made it to #19 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.
M.C. Breed & DFC. is the collaborative studio album by American recording artist MC Breed and hip hop duo DFC from Flint, Michigan. It was released on August 13, 1991 through S.D.E.G. Records with distribution via Ichiban Records. Production was handled by MC Breed, Herman Lang, Pierre Ushay and S. Harris with executive producers Tim Brown and Leroy McMath. The album found some success on the Billboard charts, peaking at #142 on the Billboard 200, #38 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #3 on the Top Heatseekers.
It's All Good is the seventh solo studio album by the Flint, Michigan-based hip hop recording artist and producer MC Breed. It was released on February 9, 1999, via Power Records with distribution by Roadrunner Records/RED Distribution. Production was handled by MC Breed, Colin Wolfe, Jazze Pha, Erotic D and Mr. Ku. It features guest appearances from 2Pac, DFC, Too $hort, Pimp C, Mr. Ku, Kurupt and Jazze Pha. After seven years with Wrap Records, this MC Breed's first album with Power Records. Breed returned to the Billboard 200 with this album, as the album peaked at No. 180 on the chart as well as placing at No. 41 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Tales from the Hood: The Soundtrack is the soundtrack to Rusty Cundieff's 1995 horror film, Tales from the Hood. It was released on May 9, 1995 through MCA Records, and consists of twelve songs by various hip hop music recording artists. The album features performances by the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Facemob, Gravediggaz, Havoc & Prodeje, MC Eiht, Scarface, Spice 1, Tha Chill, The Click and more. Audio production was handled by several record producers, including Inspectah Deck, Mike Dean, N.O. Joe, Kurupt, Too Poetic. Spike Lee served as one of six executive producers on the album.
The Ghetto Mafia is an American hip hop group from Decatur, Georgia, United States, composed of Nino and Wicked. Formed in 1993, the Ghetto Mafia signed to local hip hop label, Ichiban Records, who then released their debut album, Draw the Line on April 26, 1994. The group then released 1995's Full Blooded Niggaz through Triad Records before joining Fully Loaded Records in 1996. With Fully Loaded, Ghetto Mafia released 1997's Straight from the Dec and their most successful album to date, 1998's On da Grind, which peaked at 169 on the Billboard 200. After a seven-year hiatus, they released Da Return... of Ghetto Mafia in 2005. In 2016, Ghetto Mafia returned with a new single, "Elephant in the Room".
Things in tha Hood is the second studio album by American rap duo DFC from Flint, Michigan. It was released on March 22, 1994 through the Atlantic Records subsidiary Big Beat Records. Production was handled by six record producers: DJ Slip and MC Eiht of Compton's Most Wanted, Warren G, The D.O.C., Cedric "Swift C" Barnett and the group's frequent collaborator MC Breed. It features guest appearances from MC Breed, MC Eiht, Warren G, Nate Dogg and Bushwick Bill. The album spawned two singles: "Caps Get Peeled" and "Things in tha Hood".
Illegal was a short-lived hip hop duo composed of Jamal Phillips and Malik Edwards that was signed to Rowdy Records.
"Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'" is a song performed by American hip hop group MC Breed and DFC from Flint, Michigan. It was released in 1991 through S.D.E.G. Records with distribution via Ichiban Records, as a lead single from the trio's debut studio album MC Breed & DFC. It was written, arranged and produced by MC Breed, Herman Lang, Pierre Ushay and S. Harris.
