The whole East Coast/West Coast thing was mostly caused by the media and just blatant stupidity. Growing up, I started out listening to West Coast stuff while I was living in AZ, then was introduced to more East Coast by my mom who was from New Jersey.

I liked West Coast stuff better at the time (this was like early 90's) because they had better singers on the track like Nate Dogg (R.I.P) and KC and Jo Jo so I listened to Snoop, 2Pac and even Dre back in the day (also it was nice music to have like a BBQ to). However, My mother was into Heavy D, Public Enemy, Rakim among others being from Jersey so I used to listen to them when I was in the car with her. I truly didn't get into Rap real heavy until late 90's but there's a personal reason for that involving my family which is another story for another day.

To me, West coast stuff seems to be more chill and laid back and they often have a better flow but East Coast usually had better MC's because the shit they used to say was damn creative. Big Daddy Kane on Ain't No Half Steppin' for example, he uses metaphors and similes that are well beyond the comprehension of the general audience that listens to rap nowadays and that's because a lot of those guys back in the day were intelligent.

The only thing really separating the East Coast and West were style and distance. All that feud shit was fake, until the media made it into a huge controversy that fueled CD sales and helped to degenerate things into what it is today. No longer was Rap about having a good time and getting the girl or the booty but about how many dudes you killed and how tough you were. It didn't used to be all this dumb shit like it is today (something no matter how many times I tell people they don't listen). You listen to Heavy D or Red Head King Pin or more of the political/conscience Rap they had back in the day and tell me if it's the same now.

Not even close.

So really in short, I listened to everything and no one I knew was on that east coast west coast BS when I grew up and I've been all over the US. There's some good artist from both areas but overall I gotta give it up to East Coast because they have better syntax and beats

Sorry for the mini rant and I have to go get ready for work.

The funny thing is, you never really heard about the south years ago and now that's pretty much all everyone imitates.