The East Coast-West Coast rap beef refers to a notorious feud between hip-hop

artists and record labels from the East Coast (primarily New York City) and the
West Coast (primarily Los Angeles), which escalated during the 1990s. It was
characterized by a series of diss tracks, public statements, and violent incidents,
ultimately culminating in the deaths of two of the genre's most prominent figures,
Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.

The beef is often traced back to the rivalry between record labels Bad Boy
Entertainment (East Coast, led by Sean "Diddy" Combs) and Death Row Records (West
Coast, led by Marion "Suge" Knight), with artists such as Tupac Shakur and The
Notorious B.I.G. becoming central figures. The tension was fueled by a combination
of personal animosities, perceived disrespect, and competition for dominance in the
rap industry.

The conflict reached its peak in 1996 and 1997, with the murders of Tupac Shakur in
September 1996 and The Notorious B.I.G. in March 1997, both of which remain
unsolved. These tragic events marked a turning point, leading to calls for peace
within the hip-hop community and prompting reflections on the destructive
consequences of the feud.

In the years since, the East Coast-West Coast rap beef has become a cautionary tale
about the dangers of rivalry and violence in the music industry, while also serving
as a significant chapter in the history of hip-hop culture.