It all started in december of 1992. Nuthin But A G Thang was released on the radio, and the video premiered on MTV for the first time. 11 years and two months later, we sit here wondering...

"will the westcoast ever make a big effect again?"

The westcoast rap era in my mind is really between 1992-1994 ... for some, the years extend to 1996, but with the signing of 2pac, music became less of the focus. When deathrow made its scene, it was from Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Nate Dogg, Daz, Kurupt, RBX, Lady Of Rage, The D.O.C. , a bunch of youg kids/friends trying to make a dream for each other... it was all about them. Then 2pac came and the attention shifted to him and him only. Suge and 2pac were like best butt buddies. The empire that started with all these young cali kids soon crumbled with the arrival 2pac. From there, Deathrow just added fuel to the whole west/east war and we know the rest... we never recovered from that.

In 1999 they tried it again. Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Nate Dogg, Kurupt... all the OG's were back with new arrivals Xzibit, Knoc, Kokane... you could feel the arrival of these new artists ready to get their chance... but once again... it all crumbled.

I'm not a 2pac fan, I've never felt his music like the millions who do. I don't hate him or anything, his music just didn't get me like the other stuff The whole dogg pound was putting out... in fact, when I think about the westcoast, I dont even think of 2pac.

I ask you guys... how would the westcoast be today if 2pac never came over

-BpG

2Pac's death started the decline of West Coast hip hop.

People would of eventually got tired of the Death Row sound and style regardless, but with Pac's death it seemed like the WHOLE West Coast (much more than just death row) lost its fire. Pac was representing for the Bay, for LA, the whole state and whole coast. Plus he was bigger than just death row or just the West, he was probably the biggest name in rap at the time.

If you don't even think of Pac when you think of West Coast rap music then you must be a complete idiot.

Well, I'm a huge Pac fan, but let me tell you: I agree with you.
You're right: once Pac signed it wasn't about the music anymore, it was all about controversy & the East/West situation. And yes, Suge & Pac were really unseperable (they started having some beef though, because of the money that Suge owed Pac).

Now, back to your question: how would the West Coast be if Pac never signed with Death Row? That's a tough one man...but I think that the other artists would've gotten a chance to blow up. And they would hook-up with other West Coast artists so they could be in the spotlight. But then again...Death Row was number 1 since 92, so maybe it was time for them to "fall off", who knows.

Oh, one more thing: I don't think you can blame Pac for the decline of West Coast rap...there are still a lot of tight rappers out right now (they're just not in the spotlight). Pac had major love for the West...I think he would've signed several West Coast artists to his "Makaveli Records" label. Too bad we never got a chance to see that...

G Funk and all that shit was about to die anyway. However I think Pac would have lasted past all that because his music was never really just west coast, or just gangsta rap.

Exactly...his music was West Coast but it was different. it was more than that. He often rapped about struggling & his trials and tribulations he was going through...not just being gangsta.

I'm not blaiming pac for the decline... all I'm really saying is...

once 2pac came to the label, their focus changed... and we all know Dre left because of the way the label was focusing more on controversy than music. Of course the Snoop trial didn't help much either

-BpG

Pac had west coast in his blood, repped it alot harder than Dre and Snoop.
Suge Knight began the decline of the west coast.

Damn Hatesrats, Kelis got a major booty on you avatar  

Geeyeah!! I wish I could take prop's on that!!
Fucken Nas is a lucky MoFo...
I'd talk slow 4 a day to walk in his shoe's


Back 2 the Pac discussion..
get it, 2 tha....nevermind
Hatesrats 2oooIV

i kinda agree..

nah 2pac put a negative view of the west coast in the media before he died. stigma from that is part of what has kept the west down.

nah, you gotta remember that rap music isn't all that positive to begin with and he just shed more light on that subject.....pac repped HARD for the west, and my whole high school was walkin around throwin dubs in the air cuz of pac......i don't think pac made the image tarnished, rap music was tarnished to begin with, and in all probability, started with DRE and SNOOP and NWA. no one was talkin shit about rap when it was run dmc, cuz they rapped on a more positive side. Pac just trancended all borders and showed the world the RAP GAME....

*remember, before i get blasted for this, this is my opinion...*