East Coast/West Coast Rap Beef

  In the the mid 90's, hip-hop reached a new level of success and global dominance, that was never imagine in it's early beginning.  Record companies were being owned and ran by artist, and record sales were at an all time high.  " Gangsta Rap" " West Coast Rap" was at the hight of it all.  Many East Coast artist, fans, and even media companies were not in agreement of this dominance.  Since blogs or social medias were not created yet, rap fans depended heavily on magazines and even rap albums to let them know "the word on the street."  The word on the street on the East Coast was obviously different from that on the west coast.
   Death Row Records, was the biggest grossing independent record company during this time.  Bad Boy Records, was an upcoming independent record ran by Sean "Puffy" Combs.  The two companies crossed paths in via the media at the 1995 Source Awards Show.  During an acceptance speech for Death Row, Suge Knight, president of the company, made a comment aimed at Sean Combs.Suge Knigt's Acceptance Speech, was televised, and subsequently blamed as the catalyst for the East Coast/West Coast Beef.  The Source, who also ran a hip-hop magazine, reported on the beef and covered it heavily as their magazine experienced record sales. Soon other magazines like Vibe, Murder Dog, and even Rolling Stone picked up the story and would report multiple articles on the subject.  Video compilations and eve music compilations were produced that spoke on the issues.  The " East Coast Bias," a term reserved for sports, was adopted by West Coast artist and fans alike.
   Since most of the magazines and hip hop record companies were based on the East Coast, a lot of the country was subjected to music and opinions from New York.  This was a fact ever since the creation of hip-hop.  By 1995, the marriage of music and controversy was peaking.  Tupac Shakur, a West Coast artist born on the East Coast, was incarcerated in New York at this same time. Soon before his arrest, he was robbed in a New York recording Studio. Sean Combs, and Biggie Smalls, a Bad Boy recording artist, were both in the building when this botched robbery took place.  Biggie, and Tupac were friends prior to this event, yet Tupac Shakur blamed Biggie Smalls for having knowledge of the robbery and not stopping it.  While in jail, Suge Knigt made Tupac an offer to sign to Death Row Records.  Tupac came out jail with a vengeance, and recording "All Eyes On Me" which addressed the robbery and flamed the wildfire which was now dubbed the "East/West Rap Beef."