Ep 1. A Tale of Two Coasts

In Hip-Hop Evolution season 3 episode 1, viewers are taken on a journey through the early 90s when the rap game was divided between the East Coast and West Coast. The episode, titled "A Tale of Two Coasts," explores the rise of gangsta rap and the tension between East and West Coast rappers that ultimately led to the tragic deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.

The episode begins with a brief history of how gangsta rap emerged in both the East and West Coasts. Viewers learn about N.W.A's impact on the West Coast scene and how Public Enemy and KRS-One were influential in the East Coast. The episode then delves deeper into the East Coast scene, specifically New York City, where hip-hop was born. Viewers get to see old footage and interviews with legends like Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, and Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, who talk about the early days of hip-hop and how it evolved.

Next, the focus shifts to the West Coast, where gangsta rap was born out of the streets of South Central Los Angeles. Viewers get to see interviews with Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre as they recount how N.W.A came together and how their music paved the way for a new wave of West Coast artists.

The tension between East and West Coast rappers began to boil over in the early 90s, fueled by Tupac Shakur's move from New York to Los Angeles and his association with Suge Knight's Death Row Records. The episode shows footage of Tupac in the studio and performing live, highlighting his charisma and talent as a rapper and actor. However, the episode also touches on the controversies that led to Tupac's legal troubles, including his alleged involvement in the sexual assault of a woman in a New York hotel room.

The episode then turns to the East Coast and the rise of The Notorious B.I.G. Viewers get to see rare footage of Biggie performing at house parties and hear from those close to him, including his mother and childhood friend D-Roc. The episode also touches on the beef between Tupac and Biggie, which escalated after Tupac was shot five times in New York City in 1994.

As tensions between East and West Coast rappers reached a boiling point, the feud between Tupac and Biggie became increasingly personal. The episode explores the diss tracks that were released by both rappers and how the media fueled the rivalry. The episode also shows footage of the chaotic scene outside of the Soul Train Music Awards in 1995, where members of Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records got into a violent altercation.

The episode concludes with a somber tone, reminding viewers of the tragic deaths of Tupac and Biggie, who were both killed in drive-by shootings just six months apart from each other. The episode ends by showing how their legacies live on, both through their music and the impact they had on the hip-hop community.

"A Tale of Two Coasts" is a powerful episode that provides a comprehensive overview of the East Coast-West Coast rivalry that shook the hip-hop world in the 90s. With its mix of rare footage, insightful interviews, and historical context, this episode is a must-see for any fan of hip-hop or music history.