west coast : Influence

Exploration of new school rap varies significantly between the East and West coasts.
- East Coast Rappers: Focused on electronic sounds, comedy, new masculinities and femininities, political commentary, and beatboxing.
- West Coast Rappers: Brought distinct influences to the genre.

Funk Music
- Prevalent in the West Coast dance scene, providing a key source of beats and inspiration.
- Funk laid the foundational sound for many West Coast rap tracks.
Chicano Gang Culture
- Strong influence compared to the Bronx, where gang culture had been surpassed by breakdancing and graffiti.
- Originated in the 1940s among Chicano youth, focusing on lowrider cars and specific styles of dress, gestures, and speech.
  - This cultural backdrop informed the aesthetics and themes of West Coast rap.

Stylistic Elements
- Adoption of speech and dress styles from West Coast gangs.
- Slower Tempos
  - West Coast rappers favor slower BPM, setting them apart from their East Coast counterparts.
- Bass Emphasis
  - Greater focus on booming bass sounds, mirroring the importance of cars and gang culture in the West Coast lifestyle.
  - In contrast to East Coast rap, which was designed for portable players with limited bass capabilities.

Verbal Dexterity
- East Coast rap often emphasizes high-speed verbal skills, a hallmark of artists from this region.
Sound Production
- East Coast rap produced higher pitch textures (e.g., Public Enemy) but lacked the booming bass associated with West Coast tracks.

The evolution of rap music, influenced significantly by geographical and cultural contexts, highlights the differing styles and themes between East and West Coast rappers. West Coast rap's roots in funk music and Chicano gang culture contribute to its distinctive sound and identity.