In Appreciation of: Kurupt

An emcee’s emcee, he combined the best of both coasts into one ferocious package

What would happen if the lyricism of Rakim was combined with the vivid street tales of Kool G. Rap and the style of a young Snoop Doggy Dogg?

The outcome would be one Ricardo Brown, better known to the world as Kurupt.

Uniting the mic-ripping skills of the east coast with the street swag of LA, Kurupt embodied the best of both worlds. An argument could be made that he was the most lyrical member of the vaunted Death Row roster, an emcee’s emcee whom Charlamagne tha God has called “one of the most underrated lyricists ever.”

Born and raised in Philadelphia, he moved to the opposite coast as a teenager, where he soon became known for his ability to rhyme. It was this unique combination of influences from both coasts that undoubtedly led to Kurupt’s unique style and delivery. With these two halves of himself, “he bridged the cerebral, technical detachment of the East Coast with the West’s gangster swagger and confrontational demeanor.”