However far outside the city or inside the culture you are, the average music fan understands New York City's DNA is rife with hip-hop. Trinidad James, too. Even though he took aim at the hip-hop mecca last week (with flagrant AK-ammo, might we add), he recognizes the royal apple for what it'll always be – legendary. “This is to let the city of New York know that, no, I was not trying to disrespect you at all,” he later said in a video, er, semi-apology.
But before TJ rattled the crown post-"Control," Kendrick just about kicked the coveted title around, leaving the door wide open for some out-of-towner to pick. However, the city is filled with street-raised, homegrown lyricists who can dunk what Dipset, Roc-A-Fella and Bad Boy have long since alley oop'd. Flip through the 7 contenders worthy of wearing the King of New York crown someday.
But before TJ rattled the crown post-"Control," Kendrick just about kicked the coveted title around, leaving the door wide open for some out-of-towner to pick. However, the city is filled with street-raised, homegrown lyricists who can dunk what Dipset, Roc-A-Fella and Bad Boy have long since alley oop'd. Flip through the 7 contenders worthy of wearing the King of New York crown someday.
A$AP Rocky
Although often blurring his New York sentiments with grain-gripping Southern sounds, A$AP Rocky is authentically Harlem. Flossy, fashion-centric and keeping Chanel Iman on his arm (word to Uptown's own Dame Dash), Flacko sits pretty at the top of this list after dropping his No. 1 debut LP, Long.Live.A$AP and peppering urban radio with club-banging tracks ("Fuckin' Problems") and features ("Shabba Ranks," "Work"). Roll out the red carpet, folks. A$AP Mob frontman could very well be rockin' the crown.
Joey Bada$$
Hailing from Brooklyn, Joey's complex flows and soul-stirring street tales of the come-up (visualize the graffiti backdrop if you must) define New York hip-hop perfectly. It's all there, minus his forthcoming debut release B4.Da.$$–a follow-up to critically acclaimed tapes 1999 and Summer Knights–set to drop in early 2014, and still stands as the deciding factor for copping the crown. After keeping up with his rap peers and spitting bars on posse cuts like "1 Train," Pro Era's frontman has his eyes set on world domination…starting with NYC.
Troy Ave
After spitting an entire LP-style ode to his king-less city, Troy Ave could carry the crown (and the torch) with much respect from his peers. With gritty narratives and flossed-out, '90s-flavored beats in his stash, the Brooklyn MC recreates an era fit for ruling.
Action BronsonFrom the land of proven rap kings (Queens!), the red-bearded Bronsolino has big shoes to fill. But with his critically acclaimed tapes, including the recent release, Blue Chips 2, this Albanian bar-dropper has proved he can paint a sonic picture with the best of 'em. Comparisons to Ghostface Killah could be telling of his future reign, but we'll sit at the dinner table to see if this novelty act can rise above his freshman class.
Bodega Bamz - P.A.P.I.Pushing forth the Latin Trap movement, the East Harlem MC could potentially light the torch Big Pun and Fat Joe inadvertently let die out. His elementary flows are lack of technical versatility could have him at a disadvantage to the others on this list, but lines like, "I'ma kick that thrown, I'ma take that crown," confirm he's got his eyes on the prize.
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A$AP Ferg
This Trap Lord could become king once his fellow A$AP Mob member (current rap king?) is ready to share the reign. Until then, Harlem's own A$AP Ferg is dropping unanimously exciting records like "Work" and "Trap Lord" from his debut LP to flood the radio.
French Montana
French has two things with him better than molly and Aquafina: radio hits and street appeal. The Bad Boy signee's long-awaited debut album Excuse My French released to subpar reviews and sales, but the strength of his mixtape installments–Coke Boys and Mac and Cheese, among others–keep his position warm in the royal court.
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