(Producer, rapper, songwriter, b. 1965) Adopting the name Dr. Dre, Andre Young is colossally influential in rap. A creative force behind Niggaz With Attitude, he pioneered gangsta rap and has a vast number of production credits, including Snoop Dogg and Blackstreet’s ‘No Diggity’ to his name. Dre also created the more laid-back G-funk musical style. His classic debut solo album The Chronic (1992) was released on his own label Death Row ...
(Rap group, 1985–91) Founders of gangsta rap, N.W.A. stands for Niggaz With Attitude; their visceral debut Straight Outta Compton (1989) featured controversial tracks such as ‘Fuck Tha Police’, a reaction to the unprovoked beating the LA cops gave Rodney King. However, many tracks – despite their exciting delivery – were mindlessly violent and sexist, as on their 1991 No. 1 album Efil4zaggin (try it backwards). They imploded acrimoniously, Ice Cube, Eazy-E ...
(Vocals, 1972–97) Born Christopher Wallace in New York, he sold crack to make ends meet which ended up in a jail term. Because of his large size he began rapping under the name of Biggie Smalls and an early demo eventually found its way to Sean Combs, a.k.a. Puff Daddy, who signed him to his Bad Boy label. Early singles as the Notorious B.I.G. created a buzz and Ready To Die ...
Rumbling out of Los Angeles with different beats, a different look and a very different attitude, gangsta rap was hip hop’s belligerent street child. This new sound grew up at black discos and parties away from mainstream interference, and so, much as the original hip hop had, it quite literally pleased itself and harked back to street funk for musical inspiration. It was the first time rap had achieved any identity ...
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