2012 was probably the last year “hipster music” existed. There were some last gasps in 2013-2014 (Modern Vampires of the City, St. Vincent) but it really came to an end at the start of Obama 2. After that, poptimism took over and streaming really killed it for good by 2015.
Complex officially drops their top 50 best New York rappers of all time
Jay-Z
Notorious B.I.G.
Nas
Rakim
LL Cool J
50 Cent
Nicki Minaj
DMX
Busta Rhymes
KRS-One
Prodigy
Lil’ Kim
Ghostface Killah
MF DOOM
Big Pun
Jadakiss
Cam’ron
Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)
Big Daddy Kane
Slick Rick
Method Man
Chuck D
Run
Q-Tip
Cardi B
Raekwon
Pop Smoke
Mase
Big L
Kool G Rap
Fat Joe
GZA
Foxy Brown
Ol’ Dirty Bastard
Kool Keith
Ja Rule
MC Lyte
N.O.R.E.
Kool Moe Dee
ASAP Rocky
Melle Mel
Posdnuos
Fabolous
Grand Puba
Jim Jones
Styles P
Biz Markie
Lloyd Banks
A Boogie Wit da Hoodie
French Montana