Is the rap game as regional as it once was?

[20HotBeats]

As hip hop began to grow around the country in its early stages artists would breakthrough their specific region, bringing the style of their region with them. Artists were often characterized as east coast rappers, west coast, midwest, and dirty south to name the more prevalent styles. I feel that in the game today the new sub genres are formed by terms that do not directly tie them to a geographic area, such as new school, underground, club, hipster, boom bap to name a few. Producers often classify their beats as a certain genre, and most individual tracks by artists can be identified the same way. However, as more and more artists hit the scene I find it difficult to attach their style to their respective region compared to the days of Biggie and Pac where they were obviously east coast and west coast. I feel many artists in the new era crossover into various sub genres.

Do you think the game is still regional as it once was, or do you feel that artists have a wider range in this era? Has the internet exposed people to so many different flavors of rap that regional influence isn't as strong on upcoming artists? Do you think fans still favor local trends, or are does their location have little effect on who they chose to listen to?

[20HotBeats]

As hip hop began to grow around the country in its early stages artists would breakthrough their specific region, bringing the style of their region with them. Artists were often characterized as east coast rappers, west coast, midwest, and dirty south to name the more prevalent styles. I feel that in the game today the new sub genres are formed by terms that do not directly tie them to a geographic area, such as new school, underground, club, hipster, boom bap to name a few. Producers often classify their beats as a certain genre, and most individual tracks by artists can be identified the same way. However, as more and more artists hit the scene I find it difficult to attach their style to their respective region compared to the days of Biggie and Pac where they were obviously east coast and west coast. I feel many artists in the new era crossover into various sub genres.

Do you think the game is still regional as it once was, or do you feel that artists have a wider range in this era? Has the internet exposed people to so many different flavors of rap that regional influence isn't as strong on upcoming artists? Do you think fans still favor local trends, or are does their location have little effect on who they chose to listen to?