gangsta rap

[ gang-stuh rap ]

noun

1. a type of rap music whose lyrics feature violence, sexual exploits, and the like.

gangsta rap

/ ˈɡæŋstə /

noun

1. a style of rap music, usually characterized by lyrics about Black street gangs in the US, often with violent, nihilistic, and misogynistic themes

Derived Forms

• gangsta rapper, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gangsta rap¹

First recorded in 1985–90; gangsta ( def ), rap music ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of gangsta rap¹

C20: phonetic rendering of gangster

Example Sentences

A generation later, the hair metal and synthpop of the ’80s gave way to the grunge and gangsta rap of the ’90s.

From Time

Every time the question of black teenagers comes up, someone blames 'gangsta rap' for their problems.

From The Daily Beast

Headline: “Los Angeles Times Editor Killed on Own Front Porch During Riots—Loud Gangsta Rap Music Blamed.”

From The Daily Beast

Ice-T is a Grammy-award winning rapper, actor, and author, who is credited with pioneering gangsta rap in the late 1980s.

From The Daily Beast