Where did gangster rap come from?

Gangster rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that emerged in the late 1970s in the United States. It originated from the poverty and violence of inner-city life in urban African American and Latino communities. The lyrical content of gangster rap often focuses on themes of crime, violence, money, drugs, and poverty.

The pioneers of gangster rap include artists such as Ice-T, N.W.A, and Schoolly D. These artists used their music to express the harsh reality of life in urban America and to vent their frustrations against poverty, police brutality, and social inequality. Gangster rap also drew influence from funk and disco music, as well as from reggae and Jamaican dancehall.

The growth of gangster rap was closely linked to the rise of the West Coast hip hop scene. Cities like Los Angeles and Compton became hubs of gangster rap music with artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur gaining widespread recognition.

The 1990s saw the rise of gangsta rap in mainstream music, with artists like the Notorious B.I.G. and Lil' Kim gaining critical and commercial success. However, the emergence of gangsta rap also sparked controversy and debate about its negative influence on society and its promotion of violence and misogyny.

Today, gangster rap remains a popular and influential subgenre of hip hop music, with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Cardi B continuing to explore themes related to poverty, violence, and social inequality in their music.