gangsta rap
Hardcore urban beats
Gangsta rap is a style of hip-hop music featuring lyrics about gang life, street violence, drugs, and confrontations with police.
Emerging from Los Angeles and other urban centers in the late 1980s, it portrays the harsh realities—and sometimes glorifies the lifestyle—of inner-city neighborhoods: N.W.A. pioneered gangsta rap with "Straight Outta Compton".
Influential gangsta rap collective
Rhythmic spoken-word music
- beatsPulses or defeats
- rhymesMatching word endings
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- lyricismExpressive, melodic quality
freestyle · sample · hook · verse · bassline · 808s · G-funk · synth
Attached head covering
- ghettoSegregated urban quarter
- projectsOrganized efforts toward goals
- ComptonLos Angeles suburb
- CrenshawHybrid melon variety
lowrider · Chucks · bandana · gold chains · bling · set · crew · clique
Clearly and directly expressed
- rawIn original state
- grittyCoarse or courageous
- unapologeticShowing no remorse
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
confrontational · boastful · braggadocious · storytelling · first-person · vivid · profane · uncensored
Harmful physical force
- drugsTherapeutic chemical compounds
- crimePunishable illegal act
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
survival · poverty · police brutality · incarceration · revenge · loyalty · betrayal · street life
Official content restriction
- explicit lyricsProfane song words
- obscenityIndecent word or act
- misogynyHostility toward women
- glorificationElevating praise or worship
parental advisory · criticism · moral panic · protest · backlash · First Amendment
N.W.A
Influential gangsta rap collective
hip-hop
Rhythmic spoken-word music
lyricism · freestyle · sample · hook · verse · bassline · 808s · G-funk · synth · drum machine
hood
Attached head covering
Crenshaw · lowrider · Chucks · bandana · gold chains · bling · set · crew · clique · OG
explicit
Clearly and directly expressed
- rawIn original state
- grittyCoarse or courageous
- unapologeticShowing no remorse
aggressive · confrontational · boastful · braggadocious · storytelling · first-person · vivid · profane · uncensored · authentic
violence
Harmful physical force
hustle · survival · poverty · police brutality · incarceration · revenge · loyalty · betrayal · street life · dealing
censorship
Official content restriction
- explicit lyricsProfane song words
- obscenityIndecent word or act
- misogynyHostility toward women
parental advisory · glorification · criticism · moral panic · protest · backlash · First Amendment
- American musicjazz, blues, country music, rock, country
- 90sTamagotchi, pogs, Furby, slap bracelets, Tickle Me Elmo
- 90s MusicNirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Green Day, Radiohead
- Black Musicblues, jazz, gospel choir, hip hop, R&B
gangsta rapsmooth jazz
Mellow, polished instrumental genre
easy listening · adult contemporary · elevator music · chamber music · classical music
gangsta rapChristian rap
Religious lyrics over beats
children's music · worship music · nursery rhymes · Kidz Bop · Sunday school songs
rap, gangster, gangs, rapper, raps, rapped, rapping, ganging, gangsters