On The Map: Part II
**Before we continue this list we would like for readers to know we have omitted a category off the list because we have other plans for what was mentioned.**
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Cleveland: Bone Thugs
Everyone knows how we feel about groups being separated and discredited as a whole. Here we go again with another contradiction on the writer’s behalf. Yes each member of the quartet had a distinctive flow, but when they auditioned for Eazy-E it wasn’t a one man show, it was a five man show. Collectively they put the mid-west on the map with their ‘thuggish ruggish’ style and their melodic sound. Not to mention they are the only rap group to work with hip hop legends Big Pun, Biggie, Tupac and Eazy-E before their untimely deaths. They definitely solidified their city and their name in their song “East 1999”.
Runner-Up: Kid Cudi -- Despite whatever demons Cudi is currently facing, we can’t deny that it was refreshing to see and hear someone follow the melodic Cleveland legacy. It must have been a great feeling to go from meeting Kanye in a clothing store, to sitting next to him in a studio. It may sound cliche, but it seems like it was destined for these two to collaborate and make magic. With two gold albums and 5 platinum singles under his belt we would say that’s a great way to follow-up Bone Thugs accolades. Maybe one day Cudi will finally admit he was heavily influenced by the quartet, but until then his album sales will be the only thing keeping him on the map.
**Honorable Mention: Machine Gun Kelly -- This may sound a little harsh, but caucasian rappers, other than Eminem, don’t get the credit they deserve. When Cudi fell off the map, MGK grabbed the crown and has been sitting on the throne with no intentions of stepping down. Cudi may have followed the flow of Bone Thugs, but MGK followed the lyrical legacy which landed him a deal with Diddy/Bad Boy being the FIRST and ONLY caucasian rapper to sign with the label. Even though Cudi followed in Bone Thugs footsteps with the accolades, MGK got the groups stamp of approval when they appeared on the remix of his Cleveland track “Till I Die Part II”. Unlike Cudi, MGK is always giving praise and credit to the quartet for all they’ve done for Cleveland and hip hop. It’s safe to say if MGK can give us at least two more certified albums he’ll soon knock Cudi out that runner-up spot.
Dallas: The D.O.C
First and foremost, we have to applaud this man for being the lyrical mastermind behind Dr. Dre’s highly acclaimed album ‘The Chronic’. Someone had to keep Dre and Eazy afloat following Cube’s exit of NWA and who better than this man. D.O.C’s ghost lyrics proved if it was not for the car accident which crushed his vocal chords he would have been a rap legend. He has written verses on ‘Ain’t Nothing But a G Thang’ for Dr. Dre, ‘We Want Eazy’ for Eazy-E and ‘Always Into Something’ for both Dre and Eazy. There isn’t one song that connects him to Dallas because he represents himself with the West Coast, but we must thank Eazy-E and Dr. Dre for being the voice of The D.O.C.
Runner-Up: At the moment, The D.O.C stands alone because he’s the only rapper in history to show you his greatest through the voice of others.
Detroit: Eminem
There’s honestly no reason to give a long detailed excerpt about why Eminem holds this title. You don’t have to like him, but you have to respect the fact that this man single-handedly put the Motor City on the map for hip hop. Prior to Em, all we truly had coming out of Detroit was Slum Village, Aaliyah and Motown. Lets be honest, Slum Village is not touching Eminem’s fame or accolades. There’s no better song to represent Eminem and Detroit other than his hit song ‘8 Mile’, but the greatest song of them all is ‘Detroit vs. Everybody’ which includes other prominent Detroit rappers: Big Sean, Dej Loaf, Danny Brown, Trick Trick and none other than Royce da 5’9.
Runner-Up: Royce da 5’9 -- When Bad Meets Evil some good could actually come from it. Once Em blew up and crossed over into commercial status, Royce stayed true to Detroit with his gritty lyrics. Now we’re not saying Eminem didn’t do the same, all we’re saying is Royce wasn’t able to reach that commercial status, which in some aspect is a good thing. It also helps that he’s the only artist, not just from Detroit, but in hip hop history to have a collaborative album with Eminem. He proved in their song “Fast Lane” that he could go toe-to-toe with the Rap God.
**Honorable Mention: Proof -- Without Proof there would be no Eminem or Royce da 5’9. Proof influenced the entire underground Detroit movement. He hosted the battles where Eminem was founded and Royce used to freestyle and push his mixtapes outside the venue. Rest in Peace Proof.
Gary: Freddie Gibbs
We’re well aware that we’ve probably thrown this entire list off by mentioning small town Gary, Indiana, but my boyfriend felt it was imperative that we mention what he feels is Indiana hip hop history. Freddie Gibbs, aka ‘The Baby Face Killa’, created the hip hop sound for Indiana. He’s the first and only rap artist to hail from the city/state with a relevant name within this genre. His aggressive poetic flow made him the next best thing since the Indiana Pacers and the Jackson 5. You can truly hear his musical influences in his music. If you take Pac’s poetry and aggression, Bone Thugs harmony and melody and mix it with Scarface concept you’ll have Freddie Gibbs. It also helps that at first glance he could actually pass for Tupac. To date, he is the only rapper from Indiana to make the Freshman XXL cover. Whoever decides to follow in his footsteps has some pretty big shoes to fill. If you’ve never heard him before and you’re looking for a great example of what we’re talking about, check out his song “Stay Down”.
Houston: Scarface
Now before you call us hypocrites let us give credit where credit is due. Yes, The Geto Boys is where Scarface got his start, but the group in its entirety did not put Houston on the map. It was not until Scarface blessed us with “Mr. Scarface” that we began to pay attention to the talent Houston had to offer. Although the group has several studio albums, only three received certifications. Meanwhile, 6 out of Scarface’s 12 solo album received certifications. Not to mention at least two of those albums were released within the same year as the Geto Boys albums just months apart. He made the impossible look easy by being the only member of the group to have a consistent, long lasting, relevant solo career. Although Scarface may no longer see himself as the King of the South, his influence to other artist says differently.
Runner-Up: UGK -- The second greatest duo to come out the South. UGK was able to grab a crossover fanbase all while staying true to their Southern roots. It it were not for Scarface showing us the lyrical side of H-Town, UGK would have been the first ‘Southern Pimp Till” sound we would have ever heard to represent the city.
**Honorable Mention: DJ Screw -- There’s no debating that DJ Screw is the Dr. Dre of the South. Screw is the innovator of Houston’s ‘chopped and screwed’ sound. His weed influenced production not only inspired Southern artist, but artist world wide. You can hear his influence in songs such as Three Six Mafia’s “Sippin on Some Syrup”, Drake’s “November 18th”, T-Pain’s “Chopped ‘N’ Skrewed”, Justin Timberlakes’ “Chop Me Up” and many others. If DJ Screw had the ability of UGK and Scarface to tell stories on his unique beats he would hands down be King of the South. Rest in Peace to “The Originator” DJ Screw
Kansas City: Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne is the Eminem/Freddie Gibbs of Kansas City. His unorthodox/bizarre lyrics and semi-automatic flow has awarded him much respect and fame from artist across the map. Although he has been a member of two rap groups, his solo underground success has led him to collaborations with artist such as Twista, Snoop Dogg, Hopsin, Machine Gun Kelly, Kendrick Lamar and countless others. Unfortunately, his lack of commercial success is overshadowed by his monstrous lyrical abilities. He may not have a specific song that represents KC, but his track “Am I a Psycho” is the greatest track which exposes his dynamic skills.
