#longislandny

De La Soul came through with this great album at the height of the east coast west coast rivalry in the mid 90s. this was a good change from the norm. "Stakes Is High" features lyrical rhetoric

EPMD proved their commercial and artistic viability on "Business Never Personal". backed by funky beats, innovative nods to the Zapp/Roger Troutman catalogue, and their no-nonsense rhymes. EPMD

1997 was the perfect time for Rakim to return to the hip hop scene. the current crop of New York street rappers Nas, The Notorious BIG & Jay-Z had all followed the trailblaze by Rakim. while other