It’s been a long time since New York rap heads have had an opportunity to proudly boast about their current contributions to hip-hop. Yeah, Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” provided a much-needed pat on the back for the city’s residents, but it ultimately didn’t change much about the struggling state of rap in hip-hop’s birthplace.
However, a string of recently released bangers (Lloyd Banks’ “Start It Up,” Cam’ron & Vado’s “Speaking In Tungs”) and a change in attitude has presented a glimmer of hope that things are about to turnaround for the positive. Of course, no one should jump the gun and pop champagne just yet. New York still has to prove that its brand of rap music can have an impact that stretches beyond the five boroughs. For now, here are five reasons New Yorker can be encouraged that a hip-hop resurrection in the Big Apple may soon be on its way. And it’s all about U.N.I.T.Y. —Rondell Conway
