Rap, more than any other genre, is fastidious when it comes to geography.
It’s the reason you play “NY State of Mind” by Nas on repeat when you walk around Manhattan for the first time. It’s the reason you switch to Biggie when you cross the bridge. And it’s the reason we appreciate Jay Shells’ Rap Quotes project which plasters rap lyrics from the likes of Nas, Jay-Z, GZA, Redman, Mos Def, Big Daddy Kane, KRS One and Busta Rhymes on the very specific locations which inspired them.
“A lot of rappers call out their block,” he explains. “When you’re on a corner that’s called out in a song I think it’s cool to know that.”
And now you will.
Via Animal NY
