Harlem-based rapper Dave East has a style strongly reminiscent of 1990s New York rap. He began his career in 2010 and first gained widespread attention in 2014 with his eighth mixtape, 'Black Rose'. This included attention from Nas who later signed him to his label Mass Appeal Records . Two years later, East was selected for the XXL Freshman Class of 2016, a list often used to predict the next generation of hip-hop names.

By 2026, East has built an impressive catalog featuring two studio albums, multiple collaborative projects, and a substantial stack of mixtapes. One of the most notable releases of this year is the project 'For The Love 2', which he created with producer Scram Jones . The mixtape builds upon their previous collaboration and relies heavily on classic East Coast production: soulful samples, solid drums, and plenty of room for East's stories about street life, loyalty, and ambition.