[KB0679]

Originally Posted by JAYNYC

Atlanta has in no way, shape or form "become" the center of hip hop "in the last 10-15 years". Atlanta "became", and has BEEN the center of hip hop since at least 2000.

The Atlanta hip hop and R&B scene took off in the mid-90's thanks to Outkast, Jermaine Dupri, Kriss Kross, Xscape, etc. From roughly 2000-2008, most of the biggest Hip Hop and R&B acts in Atlanta history (Ludacris, Jeezy, T.I., Outkast, Gucci Mane, Jagged Edge, Usher, etc.) peaked. So yeah, it's been the epicenter of hip hop and R&B culture for a while, not just the last 10-15 years. Aside from the Migos, Future and Young Thug, the ATL hip hop scene pales over the last decade when compared to the decade prior.

That said, ATL doesn't overshadow Miami by any stretch of the imagination (although you'll undoubtedly look for a way to reach and argue that it does.)

I do think the dramatic rise of the TV/film industry in Georgia has resulted in Atlanta stealing some of Miami's thunder in that regard, but otherwise the two cities occupy two different types of spheres.

Economically and in terms of tourism, Charlotte and Nashville have begun to flex their muscles and steal a bit of the spotlight from Atlanta within the larger region. Of course Atlanta is still on the radar but it doesn't take up as much space on it as it used to.