50 Famous East Coast Rappers Of All Time

We list some of the best East Coast rappers of all time. The region is considered as having the most influential MCs who pioneered hardcore rap and politically conscious verses, but also had a feel for a good groove, and created numerous hip-hop classics. Rappers like Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G. emerged as one of rap’s most vital acts, with their street gangsta rhymes and hard-edged beats. Run D.M.C. were more than their stylish wardrobe, gold jewelry, and sophisticated charisma. The groundbreaking group whose cocky rhymes and sample-heavy production, were a huge influence of East Coast rap. Eventually, most of the rappers who were in groups like the Wu-Tang Clan or A Tribe Called Quest continued pursuing their own projects through the late ’90s and early 2000s. Artists like Nas and Mobb Deep became a great influence on the burgeoning conscious lyrics rap movement of the East Coast. As you can see, the East Coast, which some consider the birth of Hip-Hop, has lots of talent to offer.

1. Jay-Z

Jay-Z is not only one of the most successful rappers but also a successful entrepreneur, who owns an entertainment company named ‘Roc Nation’. The New York rapper is the embodiment of the rags-to-riches rap dream, largely due to his unsurpassed lyrical talent, incredible dedication, and industry smarts. Growing up, he explored his rap skills when he briefly attended Eli Whitney High School with fellow rappers Notorious B.I.G and Busta Rhymes. Later on, he co-founded the record label Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995 and released his debut studio album Reasonable Doubt in 1996. The album was released to widespread critical success, and solidified his standing in the music industry. After several multi-platinum albums, Jay-Z is now one of the world’s best-selling music artists, with over 140 million records sold, and has won multiple Grammy Awards.

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2. J. Cole

J. Cole‘s fascination of rapping started at the age of 14 when J. Money put him in the rap game and his cousin showed him the basics of rhyming and word play. He was an expert in lyrics first before in beats. His mother then bought him a beat machine which helped him to produce his own music. Eventually, Cole was officially the first artist to be signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. His album 2014 Forest Hills Drive premiered at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, despite a lack of advance singles or marketing. It won several awards, including Billboard Rap Album of the Year, and was later certified double platinum. Cole’s collaboration with 21 Savage “A Lot” received a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song, making this his first Grammy Award win.

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3. 50 Cent

50 Cent is considered to be one of the best New York rappers of all time. A controversial yet popular figure in the Gangsta rap genre, 50 Cent’s criminal history has been a topic of discussion for many. Growing up in Queens, he had a rough childhood. He began selling drugs at a very young age. In the year 2000, he got shot nine times but managed to survive the attack. This led him to pursue a music career away from the crime life. After being signed to Eminem’s Shady Records and and Dr. Dre’s Shady/Aftermath label, 50 cent released his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which became popular among fans and critics. The so-called “most hyped debut album by a rap artist in about a decade” by All Music Guide satisfyingly sold 872,000 copies in its first week of release. He also helped his G-Unit crew grow into a successful franchise, spawning platinum-selling solo albums for his group members, lucrative licensing deals for the brand name, and sell-out arena tours to promote the franchise internationally.

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4. Notorious B.I.G.

Brooklyn rapper The Notorious B.I.G. started taking rap seriously after spending nine months in jail for dealing crack during his late teens. Biggie’s first full-length album, Ready to Die, debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart at a time when west coast rappers like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre had their grip on hip-hop’s throat. One of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, Ready to Die would go on to shift over four million units. Unfortunately, his success in the music industry was short lived. On the night of March 8, 1997, Notorious B.I.G. attended a large party in Los Angeles promoting his new single “Hypnotize” and his new album. In the early morning hours on March 9, he and his entourage were fired upon by unknown assailants as they were returning to the hotel after the party. Notorious B.I.G. was killed; he was 24 years old. Nevertheless, The Notorious B.I.G is considered one of the best East Coast rappers of his generation.

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5. Busta Rhymes

The hip-hop genius Busta Rhymes earned his popularity at an early age. The New York rapper got his breakout moment when his group Leaders of the New School, featured on A Tribe Called Quest’s hit, “Scenario”. Busta then released his debut album, The Coming, in 1996. Busta’s frantic delivery, explosive energy and outrageous attire cut through hip-hop’s cool demeanor. And unlike the gangsta-leaning MCs who dominated the first half of the 90s with street credibility, Busta became well known for his halting, ragga-inspired style and lyrics defined by incredible complexity, inventiveness, and humor.

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6. DMX

DMX developed a love for hip-hop music, and met local rapper Ready Ron in 1984, who asked Simmons to become his partner. Simmons chose the name “DMX the Great,” after the Oberheim DMX drum machine Simmons used at the group home. He later interpreted the name as “Dark Man X”. His first major album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot was released in May 1998 and it debuted at number one on the Billboard Chart. DMX died on April 9, 2021, following a cocaine-induced heart attack. After his death in 2021, The New York Times called him a “muscular and intense” figure, known for a “remarkable and combative stage presence” and “albums that reflected his gritty past and featured a gruff and unmistakable lyrical style.”

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7. Nas

The son of jazz musician Olu Dara, Nas was raised in the infamous Queensbridge housing projects in Queensbridge, New York. Regarded as one of the best New York rappers of all time, Nas released his debut album called Illmatic which rose to No. 12 on Billboard Hot 200 and garnered positive review from music lovers. With high expectations, Illmatic proved to be just as astounding as it had been billed. It sold very well, spawned multiple hits, and earned unanimous acclaim, followed soon after by classic status. Nas is regarded as one of the best East Coast rappers from the 90s hip hop era.

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8. Diddy

Diddy also known as Puff Daddy, successfully carved a niche for himself, and went on to become one of the most popular artists in the music industry. He’s a Grammy Award-winning hip-hop mogul whose debut album, No Way Out, went 7x platinum, and whose song, “I’ll Be Missing You,” became a No. 1 Billboard hit. Forbes magazine also ranked him as one of the richest rappers hip hop.

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9. Fugees

The Fugees coalesced when Lauryn Hill and Prakazrel “Pras” Michel met while attending the same high school in South Orange, New Jersey. They began rapping together under the name Tranzlator Crew and soon joined forces with Michel’s cousin from Brooklyn, Wyclef Jean. The two men’s French-sounding surnames indicate their Haitian origins. Their second album, The Score (1996) hit number one on the charts and sold over five million copies, fueled mainly by the popularity of their Grammy-winning, rhythm-infused version of Roberta Flack’s classic “Killing Me Softly”.

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10. Fat Joe

Fat Joe started his career in the music industry as a unit of a hip-hop organization called- Diggin’. After that, he created a solo profession and built his tags. Joe became Fat Joe Da Gangsta and released his debut album, Represent, in 1993. To the surprise of many, this small-time Spanish rapper scored a No. 1 hit with the track “Flow Joe.” He became a sensation in the New York hip-hop scene and continued to ride the wave two years later when he came out with Jealous One’s Envy. Fat Joe caught the eye of fans across America for rapping from a true “gangster’s” perspective, about the harsh realities of the world he grew up in.

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11. Eve

Eve is a rapper and actress, best known for hits like ‘What Ya Want,’ ‘Gangsta Lovin,’ and her Grammy-winning “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” collab with Gwen Stefani. At the age of 13, and formed a short-lived rap duo, Edge, and her friend, Jennifer Pardue. At the age of 18, she worked as a stripper until rapper Mase convinced her to stop stripping. Later on in 1998, Eve appeared on the Bulworth soundtrack as Eve of Destruction while signed to Dr. Dre’s record label Aftermath Entertainment. In 1999, she released her debut album, Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady, which reached number one on the Billboard 200.

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12. Ja Rule

Ja Rule began his rap career in 1994 with the hip hop group Cash Money Click alongside members Chris Black and O-1. He took the stage name “Ja Rule”, telling MTV News that the name came from a friend who addressed him by that name; other friends simply called him “Ja”. From 2000 to 2004, Ja Rule had several hits that made the top 20 of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, including “Between Me and You” with Christina Millian, “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” with Jennifer Lopez, “Always on Time” with Ashanti, “Mesmerize” also with Ashanti, and “Wonderful” with R. Kelly and Ashanti.

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13. Wu-Tang Clan

In the 90s Hip Hop was artistically dominated by the Wu-Tang Clan, from New York City’s Staten Island, whose combination of street credibility, neo-Islamic mysticism, and kung fu lore made them one of the most complex groups in the history of rap. The group consisted of: RZA, GZA/Genius, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. Their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), was released in 1993. This album was popular and critically-acclaimed. The surreal aggression and minimalist production of the album had a huge impact on the genre, and was to prove massively influential over the next decade. By the beginning of the 21st century, the album had become a regular fixture on “Best Albums of the 90s” lists as well as a frequent choice for “Best Albums of All Time” lists. The success of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) established the group as a creative and influential force in early 1990s hip hop,

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14. Wyclef Jean

Wyclef Jean studied music at Five Towns College in Dix Hill, New York, before dropping out to concentrate on his rapping. He performed alongside Pras and Lauryn Hill, and in 1994 they released their debut album, Blunted on Reality. Though the album was only moderately successful, the trio continued to record and in 1996 released their sophomore effort The Score as the Fugees. The recording, which innovatively blended elements of jazz, soul, reggae, and hip-hop, sold more than 18 million copies and won two Grammy Awards.

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15. A Tribe Calle Quest

A Tribe Called Quest was largely responsible for the popularity of a new genre that dominated the East Coast sound of the early 1990s. The group consisted of MC/producer Q-Tip, MC Phife Dawg, DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad and hypeman Jarobi White. Along with Jungle Brothers and De La Soul, the group was a central part of the Native Tongues Posse and experienced the most success out of all of the artists to emerge from that collective. On their debut album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, A Tribe Called Quest forged a new path in rap by fusing jazz with the pop structure of hip-hop. Sonically, ATCQ was a decisive and welcomed tangent of jazz, bass-heavy rhythmic vibes and eclectic sampling when compared to the mundane recycling of soul loops, breaks and vocals of their contemporaries. Lyrically, emcees Q-Tip and Phife Dawg addressed social issues relevant to young blacks such as use of the n word and its relevance, date rape and other interpersonal relationships, industry politics and consumerism with infectious energy and fun and having a good time while still promoting positivity.

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16. Run-D.M.C.

The group’s unique blend of bold and intense raps exchanged (and often yelled) between Run and D.M.C., backed by Jam Master Jay’s signature raw beats, made them a force to be reckoned with. It’s three members—Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell, who tragically died in 2002—are the original faces of mainstream hip-hop. They were also inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and given a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2016. (They were the first rappers to be recognized with both). Run-DMC was managed by Russell Simmons, who was the brother of group member Run and was cofounder of Def Jam, one of the most successful Black-owned record companies.

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17. Mobb Deep

Queensbridge rappers Mobb Deep whose stark productions and bleak, poetic depictions of New York street life were responsible for several hip-hop milestones. The group consisted of East Coast rappers ‘Prodigy’ and ‘Havoc’, who were active from 1992. The duo debuted In 1993 with the album Juvenile Hell , but in particular the second album The Infamous was their big breakthrough. Although the large commercial success often failed, the rappers were popular in the ‘ Underground scene ‘ of New York. Their production also was noticed as the beats were often hard hitting and direct, a testament to Havoc, who produced the duos’ tracks almost exclusively throughout their careers. Furthermore, the hit single Shook Ones Pt. II, received acclaim as one of the greatest rap songs ever.

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18. Lil’ Kim

Lil’ Kim found success as a female rapper starting in the mid ’90s, with her explicit lyrics and sexy persona under the guidance of hip-hop icon Biggie Smalls. She donned a provocative façade and released her debut album Hard Core in 1996 that earned her much appreciation. Critics loved her raw, unapologetic style of rapping, which was much more gritty and vulgar than female MCs that came before her like MC Lyte and Queen Latifah.

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19. LL Cool J

LL Cool J initially was a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy with spare beats and ballistic rhymes. He quickly developed an alternate style, a romantic, and occasionally sappy, lover’s rap epitomized by his mainstream breakthrough single, “I Need Love.” However, it was his fourth album, Mama Said Knock You Out (1990), that became his biggest seller to date. Projecting a tougher, more “street” persona, LL Cool J won over new fans with the title track. For the song, LL won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. The album also featured the successful ballad “Around the Way Girl” and the straight-forward rap “The Boomin’ System.” LL Cool J is regarded as one of the best 80s rappers of all time.

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20. Method Man

Through his work as the star MC of the infamous hip-hop supergroup the Wu-Tang Clan, Method Man became one of the best New York rappers of all time. He is also well-known for his work both as a solo artist and with frequent collaborator Redman. After becoming well known on the streets for his rhyming abilities, he joined with 8 friends to form the Wu-Tang Clan in the early 1992. He also won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By” with Mary J. Blige.

Real name: Clifford Smith, Jr.
Born: March 2, 1971 (Hempstead, Long Island, New York)
Spotify monthly listeners: over 3 million

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