East Coast hip-hopEast Coast hip-hop is a regional subgenre of hip-hop music that originated in New York City during the 1970s. Hip-hop is recognized to have originated and evolved first in the Bronx borough of New York City. In contrast to other styles, East Coast hip-hop music prioritizes complex lyrics for attentive listening rather than beats for dancing. The term "East Coast hip-hop" more specifically denotes hip-hop originating from the Northeastern United States.
Tupac ShakurAmerican rapper and actor (1971–1996)Tupac Amaru Shakur ( ; Spanish: Túpac; June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th century and as a prominent political activist for Black America. His record sales exceed 75 million worldwide.
Bad Boy RecordsBad Boy Entertainment, doing business asBad Boy Records, is an American record label founded by Sean "Puffy" Combs. The first signee, Craig Mack, gained significant commercial success after the release of his 1994 single "Flava In Ya Ear". The label then signed other hip-hop and R&B acts, including The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Mase, 112, Total, the Lox, Shyne, and Carl Thomas. At its peak in 1997, Bad Boy was worth an estimated $100 million.West Coast hip-hopWest Coast hip-hop is a regional genre of hip-hop music that encompasses any artists or music that originated in the West Coast of the United States.Death Row RecordsDeath Row Records is an American record label that was founded in 1991 by The D.O.C., Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, and Dick Griffey. The label became a sensation by releasing multi-platinum hip-hop albums by West Coast-based artists such as Dr. Dre (The Chronic), Snoop Dogg (Doggystyle, Tha Doggfather) and 2Pac (All Eyez on Me, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory) during the 1990s. At its peak, Death Row made over US $100 million annually.
The Notorious B.I.G.American rapper (1972–1997)Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), known professionally as the Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was an American rapper and songwriter. Rooted in the East Coast hip-hop and gangsta rap traditions, he is widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. Wallace became known for his distinctive, laidback lyrical delivery, offsetting his lyrics' often grim content.
Suge KnightMarion Hugh "Suge" Knight Jr. ( SHUUG; born April 19, 1965) is an American former record executive who is the co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records. Knight was a central figure in gangsta rap's commercial success in the 1990s. This feat is attributed to the record label's first two album releases: Dr. Dre's The Chronic in 1992 and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle in 1993. Knight is currently serving a 28-year sentence in prison for a fatal hit-and-run in 2015.
Sean CombsAmerican rapper and producer (born 1969)Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969), also known professionally as Diddy (formerly Puff Daddy and P. Diddy), is an American former rapper, record producer, record executive, and actor. He is credited with the discovery and development of musical artists such as the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher, among others.
Drive-by shootingA drive-by shooting is a type of assault that usually involves the perpetrator(s) firing a weapon (typically a firearm) from within a motor vehicle and then fleeing. Drive-by shootings allow the perpetrators to quickly strike their targets and flee the scene before law enforcement is able to respond. The protection, anonymity, sense of power, and ease of escape provided by the getaway vehicle lead some perpetrators to feel safe expressing their hostility toward others.
Los AngelesMost populous city in California, USCity in California, United StatesLos Angeles (often shortened as LA or L.A.) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Southern California. With an estimated 3.87 million residents within the city limits as of 2025, it is the second-most populous city in the United States, behind New York City, and the largest city in the Western United States.
New York CityNew York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States. It is located at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island—each being coextensive with its respective county.
Fan (person)A fan or fanatic, sometimes also termed an aficionado or enthusiast, is a person who exhibits strong interest or admiration for something or somebody, such as a celebrity, a sport, a sports team, a genre, a politician, a book, a television show, a movie, a video game or an entertainer. Collectively, the fans of a particular object or person constitute its fanbase or fandom.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.