Westside Connection: Formed as a West Coast “supergroup” featuring Ice Cube, Mack 10, and WC, they embodied the aggressive, unified spirit of gangsta rap. Their debut album, Bow Down, was a direct challenge to the hip-hop establishment, prioritizing heavy G-Funk production and lyrical themes of regional dominance. While they were seen as titans of the West Coast sound, their discography is relatively small compared to their rivals.
Wu-Tang Clan: Often cited as the greatest hip-hop group of all time, the nine-member Clan from Staten Island redefined the genre with a gritty, Lo-fi aesthetic led by the RZA. Their impact is measured not just by group albums like Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), but by a massive ecosystem of successful solo projects that allowed members like Ghostface Killah and Method Man to flourish.
Comparison: Lyrically, critics and fans often favor the Wu-Tang Clan for their complex wordplay, diverse styles, and sheer volume of output. While Westside Connection focused on a specific, cohesive gangsta message, Wu-Tang offered a sprawling, multi-layered mythology that aged into a global brand.