L.A. Rap is not only its own genre, but it’s the backbone of West Coast Hip-Hop. From South Central to Long Beach, and the shift from the G-Funk sound in the 80s/90s to the new wave of conscious rap in the 2010s/2020s, LA has created a variety of rap styles that have conquered the airwaves and have even influenced other cities.
This list doesn’t revolve around hype. It’s about the names that actually built the sound and kept the city on the map for decades. Below is a long list of rappers that should be considered the best from LA:
Ice Cube
Kendrick Lamar
Dr. Dre
Snoop Dogg
The Game
Nipsey Hussle
Eazy-E
Kurupt
Tyler, The Creator
Every one of these names did something to move the needle for the city. Depending on when you grew up or what neighborhood you’re from in LA, your “best” is probably going to look different than many others here.
So, who’s your undisputed #1? Is there someone from the underground or the new era that deserves a spot on this list? Drop your thoughts below and let’s see where the city really stands.