Gangsta rap or gangster rap, initially called reality rap, emerged in the mid- to late 1980s as a controversial hip-hop 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, Bloods, Black Disciples Gangsta rap's pioneers were Schoolly D of Philadelphia in 1985, 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.
Jordan Michael Houston III, known professionally as Juicy J, is an American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee. He is a founding member of the Southern hip hop group Three 6 Mafia, established in 1991, with whom he won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, for their single "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp". His most notable singles as a soloist are his features on the Top 40 singles: Mike Will Made It's "23", Usher's "I Don't Mind" and his own single "Bandz a Make Her Dance". The latter served as the lead single for his third album and major label debut, Stay Trippy on August 27, 2013. The album was followed up by Rubba Band Business (2017), which was his final project on a major label before independently releasing his most recent album, The Hustle Continues (2020).
The Grind Date is the seventh studio album by American hip hop group De La Soul, released on October 5, 2004. The album was originally intended to be the final album of the Art Official Intelligence (AOI) trilogy, but as the album quickly changed focus, the group decided to put AOI III on hold and finish The Grind Date as a stand-alone work.
Trap House is the debut studio album by American rapper Gucci Mane. It was released on May 24, 2005, by Big Cat Records and Tommy Boy Records. Production was handled by Shawty Redd, Zaytoven, Nitti and The Heatmakerz. The album features guest appearances from Young Jeezy, Boo Rossini, Chamillionaire, Jody Breeze, Khujo, Killer Mike, Lil Scrappy, Mac Bre-Z, Torica and Young Snead.
Joe Budden is the eponymous debut studio album by American rapper Joe Budden. It was released on June 10, 2003, by On Top, distributed by Def Jam. Recording sessions took place from 2002 to 2003, with production by Dub B aka White Boy, along with the other high-profile producers such as Just Blaze and Lofey. The album features guest appearances from Lil' Mo, Busta Rhymes and 112. Upon the record's release, it was met with favorable reviews from music critics. Joe Budden debuted at number 8 on the US Billboard 200, selling 95,000 units in its first week, later the record sold 420,000+ copies in the United States. It also entered at number 55 on the UK Albums Chart.
Political hip hop is a subgenre of hip hop music that was developed in the 1980s as a way of turning hip hop into a call for political and/or social action and a form of social and/or political activism. Inspired by 1970s political artists such as The Last Poets and musician Gil Scott-Heron, Public Enemy was the first predominantly political hip-hop group. The genre has helped to create a new form of social expression for subordinate groups to speak about their exclusions, injustices and lack of power. Political hip-hop is the use of hip hop music to send political messages to inspire action or social change or to convince the listener of a particular worldview. There is no all-encompassing political hip-hop ideology; rather, there are multiple perspectives that range anywhere from anarchism to Marxism to the values of the Five-Percent Nation.
Dominick Antron Wickliffe, better known by his stage names Crooked I and Kxng Crooked, is an American rapper from Long Beach, California. He is best known as a former member of the hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse with other members Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". He is CEO of his own record labels, Dynasty Entertainment and C.O.B. Digital as well as Senior Vice President of Treacherous Records. Before starting his own label, he was also signed to Virgin Records and Death Row Records.
I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II is the third studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released on July 8, 2008, by Grind Time Official and SMC Recordings. The album features guest appearances from 8Ball & MJG, Chamillionaire and Ice Cube, among others. His collaborations with UGK, Trae and Yo Gotti were also announced, but did not appear on the final track list of the album. Starting January 13, 2010, Killer Mike has authorized this album to be downloaded for free by fans as an effort to promote his forthcoming album.
Outkast was an American hip hop duo formed in 1992 in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta-based rappers André "3000" Benjamin and Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. Outkast is often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential hip hop acts of all time. The duo achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, helping to popularize Southern hip hop with their intricate lyricism, memorable melodies and positive messages, while experimenting with diverse genres such as funk, psychedelia, jazz, and techno.
Heroin is the fourteenth solo studio album by American rapper Z-Ro. It was released on June 21, 2010 via Rap-A-Lot 4 Life/J. Prince Entertainment/Fontana Distribution. Recording sessions took place at M.A.D. Studios and at King Of The Ghetto Studio in Houston. Production was handled by Mike Dean, Bigg Tyme, Big E, Steve Below and Z-Ro himself. It features guest appearances from Chris Ward, Billy Cook, Chamillionaire, Lil' Flip, Mike D, Mýa and Paul Wall. The album peaked at number 142 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
Pledge is the fourth studio album by American hip hop recording artist Killer Mike. It was released on May 17, 2011, through SMC Recordings, Grind Time Official, Tree Leaf Records and Grand Hustle Records. The album's production was handled by Tha Bizness, No I.D., Flying Lotus, The Beat Bullies, DJ Speedy, Raz of the Beat Billionaires and Grind Time label-mates Smiff & Cash. The album, which is his third in the I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind series, was supported by the lead single "Ready Set Go", featuring Grand Hustle label-boss and fellow American rapper T.I.
No Trespassing is the nineteenth studio album by American rapper Too Short. It was released on February 28, 2012, under Dangerous Music, owned by Too Short. The album's production was handled by Vincent VT Tolan, Exclusive, DJ Klypso, and various others with guest features from 50 Cent, E-40, Kokane and Snoop Dogg.
R.A.P. Music is the fifth studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released through Williams Street Records on May 15, 2012. The "R.A.P." in the album's title is a backronym for "Rebellious African People". Production was handled by rapper and producer Jaime "El-P" Meline; the album was the first collaboration between Killer Mike and El-P, who would later form the critically acclaimed duo Run the Jewels.
Bryan Charles "SL" Jones, formerly known as Cuz Lightyear, is an American rapper and songwriter.
Trunk Muzik Returns is the sixth official mixtape by American rapper Yelawolf. The mixtape was released as a free digital download on March 14, 2013 on his Slumerican website and other mixtape hosting websites. It features production solely by WLPWR of SupaHotBeats, and guest appearances by Paul Wall, A$AP Rocky, Big Henry, Raekwon and Killer Mike.
EarthGang is an American hip hop duo from Atlanta, Georgia, composed of Olu and WowGr8. They are co-founders of the musical collective Spillage Village, with JID, Hollywood JB, JordxnBryant, 6LACK, Mereba, and Benji.
Michael Santiago Render, better known by his stage name Killer Mike, is an American rapper, actor, and activist. Mike made his debut on Outkast's 2000 LP Stankonia, and later appeared on their Grammy-winning single "The Whole World" from their greatest hits album Big Boi and Dre Present... Outkast (2001). He has since released five full-length albums as a solo artist. He is the founder of Grind Time Official Records, which he launched through SMC and Fontana Distribution.
HipHopDX is an online magazine of hip hop music criticism and news. The website's current president and publisher is Sharath Cherian and the editor-in-chief is Trent Clark. HipHopDX is the flagship publication of Cheri Media Group.
Boomiverse is the third studio album by American rapper Big Boi. The album was released on June 16, 2017, by Epic Records. The album features guest appearances from Adam Levine, Jeezy, Killer Mike, Gucci Mane, and Curren$y. It contains production from frequent collaborators Organized Noise, DJ Dahi, Dr. Luke, Scott Storch, among others. It was supported by the release of three singles – "Mic Jack" featuring Adam Levine, Scar and Sleepy Brown, "Kill Jill" featuring Killer Mike and Jeezy, and "All Night". The latter is Big Boi's highest charting single as a solo artist.
Back for Everything is the fourth studio album by American rapper Kodak Black. It was released through Atlantic Records on February 25, 2022. The album features a sole guest appearance from Lil Durk, who appears on the fifteenth track, "Take You Back". The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Buddah Bless, London on da Track, Murda Beatz, Scott Storch, Zaytoven, Boi-1da, Vinylz, and Lee Major among others.
[1] 