"Brooklyn at the Heart of Hip-Hop Culture" by Tiffani Cage

The year was 1996. Shawn Carter (better known throughout Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects as his alias Jay-Z) released his first album entitled Reasonable Doubt. The third track on the album was dedicated to his hometown and featured another Brooklyn artist named Notorious B.I.G. “Brooklyn’s Finest” was one of the most played hip-hop songs on New York radio stations. The hook was easily memorized by listeners; “(Where you from?) Brooklyn, goin out for all/ Marcy - that's right - you don't stop/ Bed-Stuy.. you won't stop!”

Two years prior to the buzz of this new rapper, was the coming-up of The Notorious B.I.G. and his debut album, Ready to Die; showing off his Brooklyn pride in the No. 1 song off that album, “Juicy”, he said, “And I'm far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day/ Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way.”

In the hip-hop industry, it is expected for a rapper to state the pride that he or she possesses; the pride can be towards how many businesses they hold, how much money they have, or the crew and entourage they hang out with. The one thing that any rapper can be most proud is the city and state in which he or she was born and raised. In the lyrics of Brooklyn-bred rappers (i.e. Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G., Lil’ Kim, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and others) are words that show the love and passion they have for their borough.

Although Hip-Hop music was born in the Bronx, it traveled to the east coast, west coast, down south, Midwest and eventually around the world. The majority of rappers who have emerged from music to business have bellowed out their city in their lyrics, but what makes Brooklyn so central in this business? Why is it the most recognized? Lil’ Kim would say, it’s because Brooklyn is where “the weak fold and crumble/ It’s the land of trouble, Brooklyn, home of the greatest rappers/ BIG comes first then the queen comes after.” (“Lighters Up” off of The Naked Truth, 2005)

“The best rappers come out of Brooklyn,” said hip-hop producer and Queens resident), Tanisha Kettle. “Biggie, Foxy Brown, and Jay-Z are amongst the greats in hip-hop history. It seems like Brooklyn artists sell more albums than artists from other parts of the country. And Biggie is one of the best rappers of all time right next to Tupac (originally from Harlem, but grew up in Los Angeles).”

“Brooklyn artists are caught out there in the hype of other coasts,” said Idell Anthony, a loyal fan of NY-based radio station Hot 97. “Everyone now is really into the southern music, with the snapping and walking it out dances, but New York is where it started, and we have the essence of it.”

Throughout its history, rappers from the west coast have talked about how “gangsta” it is to live there. Gangs, such as the Bloods and Crips, fight for territory and respect. Jay-Z’s partner in crime, Memphis Bleek (who’s also from Marcy Projects), said that it’s not about that on the east coast. It’s all about staying alive by hustling and trying not to make any enemies on the way. “I believe that east coast rappers, especially in Brooklyn have more depth in their lyrics,” said Stephan Fraser, who moved from Brooklyn to Hollywood, Fla. “Comparing the music that I grew up listening to, down south music isn’t as real.”

As heard in rap lyrics, Brooklyn is a hard place to live, yet it has the appeal of a comfort zone. Jay-Z has made that clear in “Where I’m From” (In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, 1997) and “Hollywood” (Kingdom Come, 2006).

“Cough up a lung, where I’m from, Marcy son/ ain’t nothin’ nice.”

“Born in Brooklyn got a place in Manhattan, going back to Brooklyn to escape the madness.”

Though other places are talked about in raps, like “Georgia” by Ludacris, “Welcome to Atlanta” by Jermaine Dupri, and “To Live and Die in L.A.” by 2Pac no place but Brooklyn has more songs which describe it.

“And I'm far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day. Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way.” (from “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G., 1994)