Snoop Dogg had a massive impact on hip-hop during the early-1990s. As a protégé of Dr Dre, Snoop was a part of the West Coast’s G-funk revolution and was one of Death Row’s biggest stars. When the musician (real name Calvin Broadus) released his debut album, Doggystyle, it went straight to the top of the charts. However, the West Coast’s reign didn’t last forever.
When hip-hop first arose in the late-1970s, it was strictly an East Coast phenomenon. However, by the mid-1980s, California had stepped into the culture and rap music began to evolve and expand. The South was not heavily involved in the movement despite the various groups that existed at the time.
However, with the emergence of crunk and the electronification of hip-hop in the early 2000s, more and more people began looking to the South for their rap music. As sampling became less common and as funk’s popularity began to decline following the deaths of Tupac and Biggie, G-funk and boom-bap were basically dead.
Since the mid-2000s, the South has dominated hip-hop and still does. With Atlanta now holding the torch, artists such as Young Thug, Lil Baby, Playboi Carti and other regional acts are currently in charge of the culture. In an interview with DJ Green Lantern, Snoop Dogg explained the South is now dominating.
When asked why the West Coast declined, the ‘Gin And Juice’ emcee stated, “LA radio don’t support us. We got DJs out there that don’t come from LA, that don’t support our music, that don’t give us love, don’t give us a shot. They would rather play Drake, Lil Wayne and whoever else is hot.”
He continued, “They got hot records, but f*ck that! They’re not from the West Coast, so they should be on the backburner. They should be getting played second. When I come through New York, I expect to hear Jay-Z first, Fifty, Nas, Jadakiss, there’s certain artists I expect to hear!”
Broadus also spoke about the decline of the East Coast, disclosing, “If I come out here and hear any of that bullshit that ain’t a New York sound. It makes me feel like New York has been taken captive as well, and that’s why New York is losing at the same time. When you go to the South, you hear South, South, South! Because they’re giving new n*ggas a chance!”
It’s undeniable that both coasts have seen a decline in relevant artists in recent years. However, it is safe to say that the existence of a New York sound is non-existent in contemporary hip-hop. With producers such as Hit-Boy, the West Coast has managed to cultivate a new style. Nonetheless, Southern rap currently dominates the US airwaves.
You can listen to Broadus’ interview in the video below.
