The ‘King of New York’ Title Belt

The New York rappers who laid claim to the Mecca’s throne, from Hip-hop’s golden age until now

I’ve spent the last three years living in New York hoping to stumble into a barbershop debate similar to the one Jay Z teases on “Where I’m From,” the penultimate track off his sophomore album, 1997’s In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.

“I’m from where niggas pull your card, And argue all day about who’s the best MCs, Biggie, Jay-Z or Nas?”

Sadly, I haven’t. I suppose I arrived in the Mecca too late — two decades removed from the Golden Age of New York hip-hop, back when three of the greatest rappers ever were at the apex of their powers, battling for the King of New York title. This coveted distinction can be traced back to 1994, when 20-year-old Nas cemented his case as the heir to Rakim with Illmatic, and Biggie crowned himself the ruler when he adopted the Frank White moniker from Christopher Walken’s iconic King of New York character, on Ready to Die.

Forget being the Best Rapper Alive, claiming New York’s throne was law. Attaining it granted you bragging rights over your peers, immortality forever. Who ran the city would be decided by the city — in its barbershops, at Summer Jam, on Hot 97…