You mentioned a few MN guys in there, discoveries of Slug and Rhymesayers. Theyre not really doing much these days though.
Been into Gangsta Rap since way back when NWA came on and 2Live and Public Enemy were doing their thing. Grew to appreciate the different styles and depiction of life in hoods around the country. Got into 36 Mafia for a while before they all died...then more into the slam poetry styles of indie MN rappers, a function of relating, and went to ~6 Doomtree shows in 2011. Got into the low budget productions of southern trap like Waka and Gucci before they fell off (though Gucci has had some strong collabs recently) and ASAP Rocky came onto the scene and gave rise to a host of new Harlem Rappers. This is my ish, Im from NY and have spent considerable time in the city and theres some really good stuff coming out of there that brings me back tom the days of Method and Biggie freestyles on Hot 97.
Not the freshest, but straight fire.
The one thing I cant do is Mumble Rap, not into it.
Atmosphere is still making records, but they're straight up Dad rap. Which is cool. But gone are the days of Lucy Ford and Overcast.
Joey Bada$$ had a couple solid mixtapes, as far as the Harlem Renaissance goes, but his studio albums didn't really move me. Your Old Droog is my favorite (new) rapper from NY. (KRS-One FOREVER!)
Elmatic, a reworking of Illmatic, by the Detroit emcee (from Slum Village) Elzhi is gold.
As for the gangsta shit, I've been putting Schoolboy Q in heavy rotation, along with Freddie Gibbs. Also Killer Mike's solo stuff, although he's not quite gangster. More like a revolutionary 2Pac.
Jay Electronica is the best rapper to never release an album.