Gangster Rap

When looking at rap music, one of the most significant sub-genres within rap is "gangster rap". This form of hip hop stems from the west coast of America with rappers such as Ice-T and Schooly D who pioneered it in the mid 80's and was popularized in the late 80's by groups like N.W.A. After initial success reached Ice T and N.W.A., Gangster rap became the most commercially successful form of hip hop. In the early 90's Gangster Rap become the forefront of the genre and arguably for popular music as a whole. Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. are the faces for this shift of success and fame.

Not only were these artists and their "crews" made famous in the early 90's, many of them have maintained great critical acclaim. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre who were with Tupac and Death Row Records in California are still current today. As well with Diddy from NY and Bad Boy Records who found B.I.G and helped made him  so successful.

Gangster Rap is even around in modern day. Eminem, Dmx, 50 Cent and other have continued carrying on the genre. A main emphasis of the style of music is representing the streets, hard times and difficulties which have been overcome. Talking about murder and theft are commonplace on these songs. It's a reality in which has been lived by these musicians.