Gangsta rap or gangster rap, initially called reality rap, emerged in the mid- to late 1980s as a controversial rap subgenre whose lyrics assert the culture and values typical of American street gangs and street hustlers. Many gangsta rappers flaunt associations with real street gangs, like the Crips and the Bloods. Gangsta rap's pioneers were Schoolly D of Philadelphia in 1985, and Ice-T of Los Angeles in 1986, and especially N.W.A in 1988. In 1993, via record producer Dr. Dre, rapper Snoop Dogg, and their G-funk sound, gangsta rap took the rap genre's lead and became mainstream, popular music.
G-funk, or gangsta-funk, is a sub-genre of gangsta rap that emerged from the West Coast scene in the late 1980s, the genre is heavily influenced by 1970s psychedelic funk sound of artists such as Parliament-Funkadelic.
Enter the Wu-Tang is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released on November 9, 1993, by Loud Records. Recording sessions took place during late 1992 to early 1993 at Firehouse Studio in New York City, and the album was produced by the group's de facto leader RZA. Its title originates from the martial arts films Enter the Dragon (1973) and The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978).
Doggystyle is the debut studio album by American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. It was released on November 23, 1993, by Death Row Records and Interscope Records. The album was recorded and produced following Snoop's appearances on Dr. Dre's debut solo album The Chronic (1992), to which Snoop contributed significantly. The West Coast style in hip-hop that he developed from Dre's first album continued on Doggystyle. Critics have praised Snoop Doggy Dogg for the lyrical "realism" that he delivers on the album and for his distinctive vocal flow.
Christian hip hop is a subgenre of hip hop music characterized by a Christian worldview, with the general purposes of evangelization, edifying some members of the church and/or simply entertaining. Christian hip hop music emerged from urban communities in the United States in the 1980s, when it existed almost exclusively in small underground scenes, with minimal formal industry promotion and little mainstream attention. It emphasizes the use of positive and uplifting messages to promote faith and belief.
Anthony H. Forté, better known by his stage name Rappin' 4-Tay, is an American rapper from San Francisco, California.
Death Certificate is the second studio album by American rapper Ice Cube. It was released on October 31, 1991 through Lench Mob Records and Priority Records. The production on the album was primarily handled by Sir Jinx, DJ Pooh and Ice Cube. The album was supported by two singles: "Steady Mobbin'" and "True to the Game".
The hip hop scene in Chicago, Illinois, has produced many artists of various styles. Rappers in Chicago include Polo G, Juice WRLD, Kanye West, Do or Die, Common, Da Brat, Lupe Fiasco, Chance the Rapper, Rhymefest, SEVENSIXX, Bump J, Chief Keef, Cupcakke, Lil Durk, King Louis, King Von, Shawnna, Noname, Fredo Santana, Calboy, G Herbo, Jay Lyn Gatz, Lil Bibby, Crucial Conflict, Open Mike Eagle, Jeremih, Juice, Saba, Ramaj Eroc, Lud Foe, Twista, Young Pappy, L’A Capone, and RondoNumbaNine.
South Central Cartel is an American West Coast hip hop/gangsta rap group based in Los Angeles, California.
Above the Rim – The Soundtrack is the official soundtrack to the 1994 film of the same name. The soundtrack, released by Death Row and Interscope Records on March 22, 1994, was executive produced by Suge Knight. Dr. Dre acted as supervising producer on the project.
Rene Francisco Sotomayor, better known by the stage name T-Bone, is a Christian rapper. His father is Nicaraguan and his mother is Salvadoran. His name came from being called 'Bones' as a youngster because he was very skinny. The 'T' was "added to give the name a little slang edge."
Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. is an American hip hop band from Carson, California, consisting of the American Samoa Devoux brothers Paul, Ted, Donald, Roscoe, Danny, David and Vincent. It is noted for its use of a live band, utilizing funk and metal influences, and gangsta rap lyricism.
Do or Die is the second album released by Gospel Gangstaz, issued in November 1995 on Holy Terra Records. The album peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
All Mixed Up is an unauthorized remix album of songs by Gospel Gangstaz, according to group member Chille Babe. It was released on January 14, 2003 for KMG Records. It was the first Gospel Gangstaz album to not make it on the Billboard charts.
Mr. Lunasicc is the debut album by American rapper, Lunasicc. It was released July 8, 1997, on AWOL Records and distributed by Noo Trybe Records. The album features production from DJ Daryl, Bobby G, Willie Trump Tight Charles and Pizzo. It peaked at number 92 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. One single was released, "Hard Times" featuring Probable Cauze and Ephriam Galloway, which peaked at No. 8 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, making it each of the artists' only charting single to date.
Gangsta's Paradise is the second studio album by rapper Coolio, released on November 7, 1995. It is Coolio's best-selling album, with over three million copies sold in the United States. The album produced three singles, which became hits: the title track, "1, 2, 3, 4 ", and "Too Hot".
Reach Records is an American independent record label specializing in Christian hip hop. The label was founded in 2004 by Ben Washer and the hip-hop artist Lecrae. In addition to Lecrae, the Reach Records roster contains artists Andy Mineo, Tedashii, Trip Lee, Gawvi, 1K Phew, WHATUPRG, Wande, and Hulvey. The hip-hop collective 116 operates under the label and consists primarily of the label's solo acts. The artists Aha Gazelle, Derek Minor, KB and Sho Baraka were formerly signed to the label, and DJ Official was under the label until his death.
Christian R&B is a subgenre of rhythm and blues music consisting of Christian-based lyrics or of musicians typically known for writing such songs, with the purpose to uplift, entertain, or to give a Christian perspective on any topic. Some people may view Christian R&B as a subgenre of gospel music, or a cross-genre under both gospel and R&B.
Ghetto D is the sixth studio album by American rapper Master P, released on September 2, 1997 on No Limit Records and Priority Records.
Lola Chantrelle Mitchell, better known by her stage name Gangsta Boo, is an American rapper. She was the first female member of the Memphis-based hip hop group Three 6 Mafia. She left the group and label months after the release of her second album, Both Worlds *69, due to money disputes and issues regarding promotion of her album sometime in 2002.
