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- The Notorious B.I.G. 12,420 votes. Hailed as one of the most influential rappers in history, this Brooklyn native's commanding presence and distinctive flow left an indelible mark on the hip-hop scene.
- Nas. 9,688 votes. Rising from humble beginnings in Queensbridge, this lyrical genius has been consistently regarded as one of the greatest MCs of all time.
- Wu-Tang Clan. 8,240 votes. This groundbreaking collective from Staten Island not only revolutionized the sound of hip-hop but also introduced a powerful movement that resonated with fans across the globe.
- Mobb Deep. 5,087 votes. As pioneers of hardcore rap during the golden age of hip-hop, this dynamic duo from Queensbridge delivered dark, menacing beats paired with brutally honest lyrics reflecting their harsh upbringing.
This category is for hip hop artists whose origins stem from the Northeastern United States. This includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
- Big L. Top Song: "Ebonics" Album: The Big Picture (2000) At the top of our list of the best East Coast rappers, we've got Big L. Big L's wordplay and intricate rhymes have earned him a cult following.
- Jay-Z. Top Song: "Empire State of Mind" (with Alicia Keys) Album: The Blueprint 3 (2009) Jay-Z's longevity and influence in East Coast rap are undeniable.
- The Notorious B.I.G. Top Song: "Juicy" Album: Ready to Die (1994) was a lyrical giant, and his storytelling abilities were second to none.
- Wu-Tang Clan. Members: RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Ol' Dirty Bastard. Top Song: "C.R.E.A.M."
Following this, early artists of hip hop such as DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, the Sugarhill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Jam Master Jay and Run-DMC, pioneered East Coast hip hop during hip hop's earlier years in the 1970s and 1980s.
- JAY Z. To be brutally honest, any one of the top three could be shuffled and this list would be hard to argue, but it didn’t feel right with JAY Z not going at the top.
- Nas. Nas was always known as an incredible rapper and storyteller, but with his recent run of stellar projects with Hit-Boy, he essentially hit a second prime nearly thirty years after the release of his debut album, Illmatic.
- The Notorious B.I.G. In just a few years and over two albums, Biggie became one of the best rappers of all time and it’s insane to think about what he could have done, had it not been for his murder.
- MF DOOM. MF DOOM was a character like Hip-Hop has never known before and if he’d have hidden behind theatrics and his mask for his career, he wouldn’t have been taken seriously.
1 day ago · Fans rate the greatest East Coast rappers, ranging from Jay-Z, Nas, Lauryn Hill, including Philly's Freeway and Black Thought.
With the help of Eminem and Dr. Dre (who produced his first major-label album, Get Rich or Die Tryin'), Jackson became one of the world's best selling rappers and rose to prominence with East Coast hip hop group G-Unit (which he leads de facto).
