Which NYC Borough Has Produced The Most Talented MCs?

[Better]

This crossed my mind when I realized a no. of battle rappers came out of Manhattan(Harlem, to be specific). Loaded Lux; Murda Mook; Charlie Clips; T-Rex ...

...those are four of the top names in battle rap, and they're all from Manhattan/Harlem.

Now, I am talking about mainstream industry MC over the course of hip hop's history, and I'm wondering if Manhattan/Harlem would still hold the crown...

...if you started naming MCs who've made albums.

 

[King Natty]

Re: Which NYC Borough Of NYC Has Produced The Most Talented MCs?

Toss up between Brooklyn and Queens

 

[Better]

Shit, as many members as there are of Wu-Tang, and the extended family...

...you gotta put Staten Island in the mix.

 

[woodchuck]

Shit, as many members as there are of Wu-Tang, and the extended family...

...you gotta put Staten Island in the mix.

And LI.

 

[playahaitian]

Brooklyn

just off top....

Big Daddy Kane, Biggie, Jay Z, Biz Markie, MC Lyte, Beastie Boys, Joel Ortiz, Fabolous, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Busta Rhymes, ODB, RZA AND GZA, Buckshot (BCC), Sean Price, AZ, Special Ed, Masta Ace, Lil' Cease (JR Mafia), Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, M.O.P., Papoose, Maino, Uncle Murde, Troy Ave, Joey Badass, Saigon, Memphis Bleek, Chubb Rock, Jean Grae, Jeru The Damaja (Gangstarr Foundation), O.C...

just off success both commercially, independently, culturally and artistically

And I cannot believe how many I had to leave off.

 

[Fuzzy_McNut]

Brooklyn hands down
Bronx dead last

 

[woodchuck]

Brooklyn hands down
Bronx dead last

 

[playahaitian]

wait a minute...

wasnt Nas BORN in Brooklyn?

 

[Better]

wait a minute...

wasnt Nas BORN in Brooklyn?

Come on, dawg. Nah.

Nas is a product of Queens.

 

[Vulcha]

Shit, as many members as there are of Wu-Tang, and the extended family...

...you gotta put Staten Island in the mix.

Most of those dudes are from Brooklyn.

 

[Fuzzy_McNut]

Yes, Bronx has no rappers to show for other then underground oun p and big pun. Krs 1 was how many decades ago.......no I stand by my statements

 

[brickwall92]

wait a minute...

wasnt Nas BORN in Brooklyn?

Kanye is Born in Atlanta...

 

[playahaitian]

wait a minute...

wasnt Nas BORN in Brooklyn?

Come on, dawg. Nah.

Nas is a product of Queens.

When you think about MCs from Queens,NY one of the first names that comes to mind is Nasir Jones. His style and lyrics were cultivated in the famous Queens Bridge Housing projects and for years he as served as a proud ambassador of the Q-Boro. Nas even returned to his old stomping grounds to record is latest video, “Nasty.” However, Nas wasn’t actually born in Queens.

The prolific Virgo was born in Brooklyn Jewish Hospital on September 14, 1973. According to his father, Olu Dara, a young Nas cut his musical chops on the streets of BK.

“I thought that he would become a great trumpeter because he was playing to audiences in the streets of Brooklyn when he was three or four,” he told The Source magazine in an August 2004 cover story. “He used to draw a lot of crowds [on Eastern Parkway]. It was fascinating to me. But his lip was becoming distorted so I made him quit. I remember him being very disappointed when I told him to stop playing.”
​

Needless to say Nas has done ok without the trumpet. But maybe it’s something he’ll pass it down to his son, Knight.



Jordan, Nas, Tyson...Brooklyn Keeps on Taking It

 

[Madrox]

Yes, Bronx has no rappers to show for other then underground oun p and big pun. Krs 1 was how many decades ago.......no I stand by my statements

What about all of DITC? (We'll start there. .)

 

[Better]

Man, stop.

Nas has been repping Queensbridge since I could only listen to gospel music.

When you think about MCs from Queens,NY one of the first names that comes to mind is Nasir Jones. His style and lyrics were cultivated in the famous Queens Bridge Housing projects and for years he as served as a proud ambassador of the Q-Boro. Nas even returned to his old stomping grounds to record is latest video, “Nasty.” However, Nas wasn’t actually born in Queens.

The prolific Virgo was born in Brooklyn Jewish Hospital on September 14, 1973. According to his father, Olu Dara, a young Nas cut his musical chops on the streets of BK.

“I thought that he would become a great trumpeter because he was playing to audiences in the streets of Brooklyn when he was three or four,” he told The Source magazine in an August 2004 cover story. “He used to draw a lot of crowds [on Eastern Parkway]. It was fascinating to me. But his lip was becoming distorted so I made him quit. I remember him being very disappointed when I told him to stop playing.”
​

Needless to say Nas has done ok without the trumpet. But maybe it’s something he’ll pass it down to his son, Knight.



Jordan, Nas, Tyson...Brooklyn Keeps on Taking It

 

[CT's Finest]

Re: Which NYC Borough Of NYC Has Produced The Most Talented MCs?

Toss up between Brooklyn and Queens

Agreed. I'll say Brooklyn first, Queens second, and I'd toss Long Island in there in third place because of Rakim.

 

[woodchuck]

Yes, Bronx has no rappers to show for other then underground oun p and big pun. Krs 1 was how many decades ago.......no I stand by my statements

It doesn't matter how long ago KRS ONE was. He didn't give a time frame. If you wanna act like KRS ONE, T La Rock, Cold Crush, Fearless Four, Jazzy 5, Funky 4 + 1 More, Soul Sonic Force, etc didn't exist, then that's on you.

 

[playahaitian]

Yes, Bronx has no rappers to show for other then underground oun p and big pun. Krs 1 was how many decades ago.......no I stand by my statements

Bronx is essentially the BIRTHPLACE of modern hip hop.

One could make a VERY good argument that KRS One Slick Rick & Caz damn near played a large part in inventing modern MC-ing from writing to stage show.

I believe OVERALL the most famous and commercially popular and some of the BEST MCs are from the Planet and the number is immense...

I can ALSO say Bronx hip hop is the foundation...

so based on the fact that the TALENT there pretty much drew the blueprint for hip hop as a WHOLE...the get special (especially if you add graffiti, DJ-ing and breaking) consideration

Kool Herc. KRS, Busy B., T La Rock, D-Nice, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Corey Guns, Peter Gunz, Lord Tariq, Diamond D, Slick Rick, Sadat X, Remy Ma, Tim Dog, Kool Keith Hell Rell Drag-On of course Grand Master Caz!!!

and many of these individuals inspired hundreds of future MCs (and DJs)

 

[playahaitian]

it doesn't matter how long ago krs one was. He didn't give a time frame. If you wanna act like krs one, t la rock, cold crush, fearless four, jazzy 5, funky 4 + 1 more, soul sonic force, etc didn't exist, then that's on you.

* boom!!!!

 

[Vulcha]

It doesn't matter how long ago KRS ONE was. He didn't give a time frame. If you wanna act like KRS ONE, T La Rock, Cold Crush, Fearless Four, Jazzy 5, Funky 4 + 1 More, Soul Sonic Force, etc didn't exist, then that's on you.

And there we have it.

And if we go into talented MC's right now, add Joell Ortiz and Skyzoo in the mix for Brooklyn.

 

[380snubnose]

QUEENS..
nas,mobb deep,cormega,m.c. shan,roxanne shante,nature-just outta qb..
salt and pepper,kid and play,kwame-just outta east elmhurst
suppa luva cee-astoria pjs
capone an nore
50cent,l.l cool jay,run dmc,freddro starr,sticky fingerz,lloyd banks,nicki minaj-south jamiaca queens..

 

[brickwall92]

When you think about MCs from Queens,NY one of the first names that comes to mind is Nasir Jones. His style and lyrics were cultivated in the famous Queens Bridge Housing projects and for years he as served as a proud ambassador of the Q-Boro. Nas even returned to his old stomping grounds to record is latest video, “Nasty.” However, Nas wasn’t actually born in Queens.

The prolific Virgo was born in Brooklyn Jewish Hospital on September 14, 1973. According to his father, Olu Dara, a young Nas cut his musical chops on the streets of BK.

“I thought that he would become a great trumpeter because he was playing to audiences in the streets of Brooklyn when he was three or four,” he told The Source magazine in an August 2004 cover story. “He used to draw a lot of crowds [on Eastern Parkway]. It was fascinating to me. But his lip was becoming distorted so I made him quit. I remember him being very disappointed when I told him to stop playing.”
​

Needless to say Nas has done ok without the trumpet. But maybe it’s something he’ll pass it down to his son, Knight.



Jordan, Nas, Tyson...Brooklyn Keeps on Taking It

Pathetic.. Jordan Left to North Carolina at age 1

 

[JustChillin]

NaS, Mobb Deep, CNN, Onyx, LL Cool J, 50 Cent, Pharoahe Monch, Tragedy Khadafi, Cormega, Lost Boyz, Ja Rule, Run DMC, Nature, Kool G Rap.

 

[Chess005]

There is a dope artist from every borough that has had some worldwide success. I'm not gonna even play into the borough vs borough shit. If you can't respect the niggas who inspired the previous and current generations, you shouldn't even be making threads like this.

You have a larger number coming from certain boroughs at certain times periods but at the end of the day NyC as a whole has produced some of the best rappers ever, period.

My city is the best city to do it and whomever don't like that, fuck you.

 

[shamone]

wait a minute...

wasnt Nas BORN in Brooklyn?

yes he was.

 

[LSN]

Pathetic.. Jordan Left to North Carolina at age 1

1 year in brooklyn is enough to be a life changing event...no matter what age...fuck your corny ass city wherever the fuck it is

seriously tho didn't know nas was born in BK...interesting to know

 

[bdquest9]

Sombody said the Bronx was dead last ? Just off the top of my head.
Funky Four Plus One
Melle Mel
KRS One
T La Rock
D-Nice
Nine
Percee P
Sadat X
AG
Lord Finesse
Diamond D
Big Pun
Fat Joe
Armageddon
Triple Seis
Cuban Link
Prospect
Lord Tariq
Peter Gunz
Cory Gunz
Remy Martin
Tru Life
Hell Rell
C-Rayz Walz
Bamboo
Drag-On
Doo Wop
Kool Keith
Greg Nice
DJ Red Alert, Afrika Bambaata,
Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Caz, Rock Steady Crew, Grand Wizard Theodore.
Busy Bee Starski
Soulsonic Force (Afrika Bambaataa’s group)
Furious Five
Slick Rick
Ultramagnetic MC’s
Positive K
Tim Dog
Rahzel (also was in Ultramagnetic)
Sonny Cheeba (Camp Lo)
Geechie Suede (Camp Lo)

 

[BDR]

Bronx

 

[LSN]

the bronx list looks like a graveyard

 

[(0_0)..l.. finger]

Bronx>>>>



Funky Four Plus One
Melle Mel
KRS One
T La Rock
D-Nice
Nine
Percee P
Sadat X
AG
Lord Finesse
Diamond D
Big Pun
Fat Joe
Armageddon
Triple Seis
Cuban Link
Prospect
Lord Tariq
Peter Gunz
Cory Gunz
Remy Martin
Tru Life
Hell Rell
C-Rayz Walz
Bamboo
Drag-On
Doo Wop
Kool Keith
Greg Nice
Smooth B
Grandmaster Caz or Grandmaster Melle Mel the original Bronx rappers
Peter Gunz

 

[King Natty]

Nas is from Queens, stop being silly lol

 

[brickwall92]

1 year in brooklyn is enough to be a life changing event...no matter what age...fuck your corny ass city wherever the fuck it is

seriously tho didn't know nas was born in BK...interesting to know

So If Jordan is a New Yorker based off "one year" ... then what the fuck am I when I did more than a year.. ?



You know you just said "your city is corny" right ?...

Bronx is Best Borough in NYC...

 

[LSN]

So If Jordan is a New Yorker based off "one year" ... then what the fuck am I when I did more than a year.. ?



You know you just said "your city is corny" right ?...

Bronx is Best Borough in NYC...

seriously tho...

...

 

[mailboxpimp]

The bronx gave life to all those niggaahz mentioned.... even when we not representing .... We representing

 

[LSN]

The bronx gave life to all those niggaahz mentioned.... even when we not representing .... We representing

ayy beatdown you from the BX too...come getcha boy