West Coast Hip Hop

1. Music style

1.1. laid-back with jazz and electro-funk elements

1.2. gangsta rap

1.3. smoother and fluid sound compared to sample heavy East Coast hip hop

2. Themes

2.1. gang violence

2.2. anti-police political stances

2.3. socially conscious lyrics

3. Graffiti Medium

3.1. originated in late 1960s in either New York or Philadelphia

3.2. made popular by Fab 5 Freddy

3.3. tagged subway cars and subway systems to gain fame and prestige

3.4. media began associating with hip hop around 1980s

4. Artists

4.1. Alonzo Williams

4.1.1. "godfather" of West Coast hip hop

4.1.2. DJ, producer, director

4.1.3. recorded hits for Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E

4.2. Dr. Dre

4.2.1. key figure in crafting west coast g-funk

4.2.2. popularized gangsta rap

4.2.3. shifted into production for other artists in 2000s

4.3. Ice Cube

4.3.1. contributed to popularity of gangsta rap in N.W.A

4.3.2. helped shape distinct sounds of west coast hip hop

4.4. Ice-T

4.4.1. played a key role in creation of gangsta rap

4.4.2. first prominent rapper in west coast

4.5. Snoop Dogg

4.5.1. popularized west coast g-funk hip hop

4.6. Eazy-E

4.6.1. formed N.W.A

4.6.2. popularized west coast rap and gangsta rap

4.7. 2Pac

4.7.1. considered one of the most influential rappers

4.7.2. songs known for addressing social injustice (conscious rap and political rap)

4.7.3. involved in gangsta rap