Brooklyn's Biohazard were pioneers of the rap-metal crossover, fusing New York hardcore with hip-hop elements years before the nu-metal explosion made it mainstream. Formed in 1987, their self-titled debut and 'Urban Discipline' laid the groundwork for the fusion of heavy riffs and street-level vocals that would dominate the late '90s. Their uncompromising sound and confrontational live shows made them one of the most important bands in the evolution of heavy music in New York City.

Bloodclot is a New York City hardcore and crossover thrash band led by John Joseph, former vocalist of the Cro-Mags, with roots stretching back to the early 1980s when the group served as roadies for Bad Brains. The project became a proper studio entity in 2008 with the debut Burn Babylon Burn!, and resurfaced prominently with Up in Arms (Metal Blade Records, 2017), recorded with Nick Oliveri, Joey Castillo, and the late Todd Youth. Their third album Souls, featuring members of Sick of It All, Quicksand, and Madball, continued their run of NYHC and early thrash-informed material.

Body Count is a Los Angeles heavy metal band formed in 1990 by rapper Ice-T and lead guitarist Ernie C, both of whom met as classmates at Crenshaw High School. Their 1992 self-titled debut on Sire Records drew national controversy over 'Cop Killer,' a song that prompted label pressure and was voluntarily pulled by Ice-T from subsequent pressings. The band is credited with helping pioneer rap metal, and after decades of continued activity, they won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance at the 2021 ceremony for 'Bum Rush' from Carnivore (2020).