Hip-hop's changed a lot over the years, but people still love talking about the "golden era" - when rap really took off and became huge. Let's look at some of the big names from that time.
Tupac Shakur was one of the biggest. He came from Harlem and wrote songs like "California Love" and "Changes" that people still love today. He talked about life on the streets in a way that really connected with people.
Then there's The Notorious B.I.G., or Biggie, from Brooklyn. His first album, "Ready to Die," had hits like "Juicy" and "Big Poppa" that are still popular.
Nas, from Queens, is another big name. His album "Illmatic" is considered one of the best rap albums ever. He was really good at telling stories about life in New York.
It wasn't just solo artists, though. Groups like Wu-Tang Clan from Staten Island made a big impact too. They had a unique style and songs like "C.R.E.A.M." that people still remember.
Public Enemy was another important group. They weren't afraid to get political and talk about social issues in their songs. "Fight the Power" became a kind of anthem for people fighting for social justice.
Later on, Eminem came along from the Midwest. He brought something different with his humor and personal lyrics. Songs like "My Name Is" and "Stan" showed how good he was with words.
These artists didn't just make music - they changed the culture. They talked about important issues and inspired a lot of people.
Even today, these old school rappers are still respected and their music is still popular. They set the bar for what great rap could be.
