Take a pick from both sides:

West Coast: Tupac Shakur

http://foreverdc.com/wp-content/uploads/3792tupac-shakur-posters.jpg

East Coast: Big L

http://harlemworldblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/son.jpg

Alive artist....

East Coast - Lloyd Banks

West Coast - Murs

While Big L was no Tupac..

In general, East Coast rappers>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> West coast, and its not even close.

EDIT:

Because of my hangover, it appears I have completely missed the point of this thread.

But, I stand by my comment.

East Coast - Jay-Z

West Coast - 2Pac