Editing East Coast hip-hop (section)

===1986–1997: Renaissance===
[[File:RZA 7 Shankbone 2009 Tao of Wu.jpg|thumb|upright|[[RZA]], producer and member of the [[Wu-Tang Clan]]]]
As the genre developed, lyrical themes evolved through the work of East Coast artists such as the [[Native Tongues]], a collective of hip-hop artists associated with generally positive, Afrocentric themes, and assembled by Afrika Bambaataa. New York–based groups such as [[De La Soul]], [[Public Enemy]], [[A Tribe Called Quest]], and the [[Jungle Brothers]] also earned recognition for their musical eclecticism.<ref name="Allmusic"/> This period from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s has been called the "[[Golden age hip-hop|golden age]]" of hip-hop. Although East Coast hip-hop was more popular throughout the late 1980s, [[N.W.A]]'s ''[[Straight Outta Compton]]'' (released in early 1989) presented the toughened sound of [[West Coast hip-hop]], which was accompanied by gritty, street-level subject matter.<ref name="Allmusic"/> Later in 1992, [[Dr. Dre]]'s [[G-funk]] record ''[[The Chronic]]'' would introduce West Coast hip-hop to the mainstream. Along with a combined ability to keep its primary function as party music, the West Coast form of hip-hop became a dominant force during the early 1990s.<ref name="Allmusic"/> Although G-Funk was the most popular variety of hip-hop during the early 1990s, the East Coast hip-hop scene remained an integral part of the music industry. During this period, several New York City rappers rising from the local underground scene, began releasing noteworthy albums in the early and mid-1990s, such as [[Nas]], [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] and others.<ref name="Stylus"/> [[The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show]] was the launch pad for many East Coast rappers during this era.

[[File:Nas-04.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Nas]]'s 1994 debut album ''[[Illmatic]]'' was critically acclaimed.]]
[[Nas]]' 1994 debut album ''[[Illmatic]]'' has also been noted as one of the creative high points of the East Coast hip-hop scene, and featured production from such renowned New York–based producers as [[Large Professor]], [[Pete Rock]] and [[DJ Premier]].<ref name="Stylus"/> Meanwhile, The [[Wu-Tang Clan]], [[Onyx (hip-hop group)|Onyx]], [[Black Moon (group)|Black Moon]], [[Smif-N-Wessun]], [[Big L]], [[Lost Boyz]] and [[Mobb Deep]] became pillars in New York's [[hardcore hip-hop]] scene, achieving widespread critical acclaim for their landmark albums, ''[[Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)]]'' (1993), ''[[Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous]]'' (1995), ''[[Enta da Stage]]'' (1993), ''[[Bacdafucup]]'' (1993), ''[[Dah Shinin']]'' (1995), ''[[Legal Drug Money]]'' (1996) and ''[[The Infamous]]'' (1995).

[[The Notorious B.I.G.]] became the central figure in East Coast hip-hop during most of the 1990s. [[Bad Boy Records]] comprised a team of producers known as the Hitmen Stevie J, Derrick "D Dot" Angelletie and Amen Ra directed by [[Sean Combs]] to move the focus on hip-hop to New York with the Notorious B.I.G.'s Billboard topping hits.<ref name="BIGbio"/> His success on the music charts and rise to the mainstream drew more attention to New York at the time of West Coast hip-hop's dominance.<ref name="BIGbio"/> According to [[AllMusic]] editor Steve Huey, the success of his 1994 debut album ''[[Ready to Die]]'' "reinvented East Coast rap for the gangsta age" and "turned the Notorious B.I.G. into a hip-hop sensation — the first major star the East Coast had produced since the rise of Dr. Dre's West Coast G-funk".<ref name="BIGbio"/> Many saw his dominating presence as a catalyzing factor in the East Coast/West Coast hip-hop rivalry that polarized much of the hip-hop community, stirring the issue enough to result in the Brooklyn rapper's 1997 death, as well as his West Coast counterpart, [[Tupac Shakur]], months prior.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Murder Was the Case: Notorious B.I.G. Shot Down at 24—To Live and Die in L.A.|last = Smith|first = RJ|date = March 18, 1997|journal = The Village Voice}}</ref> By the late 1990s, East coast rap had returned to mainstream dominance.<ref>{{cite web |title=West Coast Rap |website=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/style/west-coast-rap-ma0000002932}}</ref>