East Coast Rap is the foundation of the Rap world. Open mic sessions and free styles are what East Coast Rap is all about. Jazz and Reggae are easily distinguished in this style of rap. East Coast Rap is still one of it not the leading sub genre of Rap. East Coast Rap was created in New York City which is one of the cultural capitals of the world. In result East Coast Rap gets more publicity than others. East Coast Rap is Rap in its simple form. In reality East Coast Rap is the direct product of The SugarHill Gang and other founding fathers. The legacy to continue this genre is very strong and will for many years to come. With the fairly recent growth in Southern Rap and West Coast Rap, East Coast Rap has had to share some of the spotlight but still holds its own. Artists such as DMX, The Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-z prove that East Coast Rap is here to stay.

G Funk Rap is a product of the funk movement in the seventies. Now G Funk uses synthesizer and voice altering devices to put a spin to the sometimes monotonous sounds of other rap styles. G Funk uses the cutting edge of technology in the music industry. Voice morphs and electric guitars fill the tracks of G Funk artists. Warren G is a prime candidate for the ideal G Funk artist. Many G Funk artist can trace their influence to George Clinton who is the founder of the G Funk era. Without him and a few other notables the G Funk genre would never be. At its peak in the early 90's G Funk had a constant rotation on radio stations around the country. California and along the upper half of the West Coast is where you find G Funk rappers. There aren't many that are in between.

Gangsta Rap tells of the tales of the street and the stuggle it brings. Topics include hardcore depictions of sex, drugs and any other negative product of the streets. Gangsta Rap is often depicted in the eyes of someone else. Another analogy is like seing in his perspective but in the meantime he wants to do what's right. Gangsta Rap began its popularity in the late 80's and early 90's. Controversy has contantly plagued Gangsta Rap. The government took and is presently taking strides to censor Gangsta Rap and clean up the content. Some say the content isn't uplifting but degrading. Others think it is a true manifestation of street life and helps listeners stay aware of the ins and outs of the street game. The recent murders of two to the Rap games biggest stars caused many to question if Gangsta Rap was too graphic and explicit for fragile individual to listen as life imitated art. As with most media items controversy sells and that is exactly what Gangsta Rap continues to do. Mc Eiht is the perfect mold of the Gangsta Rapper. He constantly refers to what he sees and reactions to the street in which he lives.

Hardcore Rap is similiar to Gangsta Rap but is more graphic and explicit. Hardcore Rap holds qualities of Gangsta and G Funk Rap. Often it is hard to distinguish between the two. One aspect of Hardcore Rap that is apparent is that most originate from the West Coast Coast because this subgenre was created amongst the Gangsta and G Funk movement which explains its influence. Hardcore Rappers include Eazy E, Dr. Dre and many others under the Death Row Record label. Death Row Records who's Ceo is "Suge" Knight is often given credit for creating this genre.