Gangsta Rap

Gangsta rap style of music has received critical criticism from both blacks and whites. It's music the artist themselves talk about killing to protect themselves. They talk about life as a gang member, their lives in the inner city and some of the legal activities they've done. Gangsta rap emerged on the West Coast with the group NWA (Niggaz With Attitude). Solo platinum Ice Cube, an original member of the group is said to be the father of gangsta rap because he wrote most of the group's lyrics. Some of the lyrics have also included killing cops who do them wrong. The artists say their music just reflects what is going on in the inner cities. If they didn't grow up around palm trees, than how can they rap about it. Again, these lyrics simply tell a story, sometimes an embellished story that shouldn't be used as an excuse to do illegal activities. Tupac, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Ice T are other gangsta rappers.