I generally agree, but East coast NYC rap was nuthin to F wit til about Y2K. Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu, Nas, Kool Keith, DMX. Fuck Gay Z and Biggie was massively overrated, IMO.
I'm from Houston, so I always loved the Geto Boy and Scarface. Also, don't forget Latino rappers like Cypress Hill. They had a massive impact too.
I think just about everyone here can agree that rap has taken a major decline in quality. Rap always had many different flavor that you could pick and choose. From Southern rap, to horrorcore to alternative rap to white rappers. East coast vs. West coast. Gangasta rap to mainstream. That was what was so great about it.
RIP rap music.