Gangsta rap or gangster rap, initially called reality rap, is a subgenre of rap music that conveys the culture and values typical of urban gangs, reality of the world and street hustlers. Emerging in the late 1980s, gangsta rap's pioneers include Schoolly D of Philadelphia and Ice-T of Los Angeles, later expanding in California with artists such as N.W.A and Tupac Shakur. In 1992, via record producer and rapper Dr. Dre, rapper Snoop Dogg, and their G-funk sound, gangster rap broadened to mainstream popularity.
Dilated Peoples is an American Los Angeles-based hip hop trio, composed of rapper and record producer Evidence, rapper Rakaa, and Beat Junkies deejay and record producer DJ Babu. The group is better known in the UK, where they reached the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart with two tracks, "This Way" and "Worst Comes to Worst". Their songs were featured in the 2003 video games Need for Speed: Underground and NBA Street Vol. 2, as well as MLB 06: The Show.
Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by American gangsta rap group N.W.A, which, led by Eazy-E, formed in Los Angeles County's City of Compton in early 1987. Released by his label, Ruthless Records, on August 8, 1988, the album was produced by N.W.A members Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince, with lyrics written by N.W.A members Ice Cube and MC Ren along with Ruthless rapper and unofficial member The D.O.C. Not merely depicting Compton's street violence, the lyrics repeatedly threaten to lead it by attacking peers and even police. The track "Fuck tha Police" drew an FBI agent's warning letter, which aided N.W.A's notoriety, with N.W.A calling itself "the world's most dangerous group."
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony is an American hip hop group composed of rappers Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Flesh-n-Bone. Formed in 1991 in Cleveland, Ohio, the group signed to fellow American rapper Eazy-E's Ruthless Records in late 1993, on which they debuted with their EP Creepin on ah Come Up the next year. The EP included their breakout hit single "Thuggish Ruggish Bone". In 1995, the group released its second album E. 1999 Eternal, which included hits "1st of tha Month" and "East 1999". Their hit song "Tha Crossroads", a tribute to then-recently deceased mentor Eazy-E, won a Grammy Award in 1997.
Earl Tywone Stevens Sr., better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper. Stevens is a founding member of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. He has released 27 studio albums to date, appeared on numerous movie soundtracks, and has also done guest appearances on a host of other rap albums. Initially an underground artist, his 1995 solo album In a Major Way opened him up to a wider audience. Beginning in 1998, he began collaborating with mainstream rappers outside the San Francisco Bay Area. He rose to higher mainstream popularity in 2006 with his single "Tell Me When to Go", which was produced by Lil Jon.
William LaShawn Calhoun Jr., better known by his stage name WC, is an American rapper and actor. He originally was a rapper in the group Low Profile and later formed his group WC and the Maad Circle, who first succeeded with the single "Ain't A Damn Thang Changed". He later started a solo career and has released four solo albums. He is also well known for being a member of the rap supergroup Westside Connection with West Coast rappers Ice Cube and Mack 10.
Fahd Azam, known professionally as Mr. Capone-E, is an American rapper. He is the owner of the record label Hi-Power Entertainment.
Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told is the third studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on August 4, 1998, by No Limit Records and Priority Records. It is his first album following his departure from Death Row Records in January 1998. It is the first Snoop Dogg album to have notable affiliates such as Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, Warren G and others absent. It was also his first album to be released under a slight change to his stage name "Snoop Dogg" for contractual reasons.
In a Major Way is the second studio album by American rapper E-40. It was released on March 14, 1995, by Sick Wid It Records and Jive Records. Production on the album was handled by Studio Ton, Mike Mosley, Sam Bostic, Funk Daddy, Kevin Gardner, Redwine, and E-40 himself, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Levitti, 2Pac, Celly Cel, Mac Mall, Mac Shawn and Spice 1, as well as fellow The Click groupmates B-Legit and Suga-T, and his son Droop-E.
The Mail Man is an extended play by American rapper E-40. It was released on September 28, 1993 by Sick Wid It Records. The album features production by Mike Mosley, Sam Bostic, Studio Ton and E-40. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 131 on the Billboard 200.
Northwest hip hop is hip hop or rap music that originates from the Pacific Northwest of North America, encompassing major cities such as Portland (Oregon), Seattle (Washington), and other towns. Northwest hip hop music mixes elements from various genres of music to form a sound different from its southern neighbor, West Coast hip hop. For many years the scene existed mainly as an underground genre, but recently Northwest hip-hop has seen more and more mainstream acceptance, with artists such as Macklemore gaining nationwide attention.
Criminal Activity is the only studio album by American rap supergroup Criminalz, which consisted of Spice 1 and Celly Cel. It was released on August 7, 2001 via Celly Cel's label, Realside Records. Cel also served as executive producer and audio production of the record was handled by Doyle, G-Man Stan and Spice 1. It peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 26 on the Billboard Independent Albums. The album features guest performances by Yukmouth, Tray Dee, Sylk-E. Fyne and Bun B.
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, better known by his stage name Xzibit, is an American rapper, actor, television presenter, and radio personality. He began his musical career in 1992, and signed with Loud Records, an imprint of RCA Records to release his debut studio album, At the Speed of Life (1996). The album saw positive critical reception, modestly entered the Billboard 200, and spawned the single "Paparazzi," which peaked at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100. His second album, 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz (1998) was met with similar reception and spawned the single "What U See Is What U Get."
Alternative hip hop is a subgenre of hip hop music that encompasses a wide range of styles that are not typically identified as mainstream. AllMusic defines it as comprising "hip hop groups that refuse to conform to any of the traditional stereotypes of rap, such as gangsta, bass, hardcore, and party rap. Instead, they blur genres drawing equally from funk and pop/rock, as well as jazz, soul, reggae, and even folk."
Kausion was an American rap group composed of Cel, Gonzoe, and Kaydo that was signed to Ice Cube's Lench Mob Records in 1995. They released their debut album, South Central Los Skanless, on October 10, 1995. The album peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 23 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers. The group disbanded in 1996, with their final appearances being a collaboration with fellow Los Angeles–based rap group, Tha Dogg Pound on the song, "I'll Do It" from the Supercop soundtrack and the song, "Lil' Sumpin'" from The Lawhouse Experience, Volume One, in 1997. Kausion's second album, Youth-Anasia, was released on February 4, 2020, via Blokkwise Entertainment.
Southwest Riders is a compilation album presented by American rappers E-40 and B-Legit. It was released on August 26, 1997, by Sick Wid It Records and Jive Records. The album features production by Bosko, DJ Paul, Juicy J, KLC, The Legendary Traxster, Sam Bostic, Studio Ton and T-Mix. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 23 on the Billboard 200. The album features performances by Richie Rich, UGK, A-1, WC, 3X Krazy, Luniz, Celly Cel, Eightball & MJG, Twista and Brotha Lynch Hung.
The Mossie was an American rap group from Vallejo, California, with members: Kaveo, Mugzi and Tap Dat Ass. They first appeared together on E-40's 1993 EP, The Mail Man. Before dropping their 1997 debut album, Have Heart Have Money, on Sick Wid It and Jive Records, they appeared together on several other Sick Wid It releases, including: The Hogg in Me, The Hemp Museum and Southwest Riders.
Sick Wid It's Greatest Hits is a compilation album presented by American rap label Sick Wid It Records. It was released on November 9, 1999, on Sick Wid It and Jive Records. The album was produced by D-Shot, Femi Ojetunde, Kevin Gardner, Mike Mosley, Redwine, Roger Troutman, Sam Bostic, Studio Ton and Tone Capone. It features performances by Spice 1, Too Short, Kurupt, Daryl Hall, E-40, B-Legit, Celly Cel, Levitti, Bo–Roc, Roger Troutman and Mac Shawn.
Maurice "Marcellus" James McCarver, better known by his stage name Celly Cel, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California. He released his first single, "Lifestyle of a Mack", on his independent record label Realside Records in 1992. He released his debut studio album, Heat 4 Yo Azz, in 1994, and released a second album, Killa Kali, two years later.
Onefour are an Australian drill and rap group originating from the Western Sydney suburb of Mount Druitt. They are regarded by many as the pioneers of drill music in Australia, following a run of viral singles in 2019. The group has four core members: J Emz, Spenny, Lekks and Celly. YP was also a member but he left the group in 2024 to focus on religion.
