Gangsters Meet Hip-Hop

Studio 360

Gangster Rap didn’t just appeal to the young men whose violent, sexy universe it reflected — the LA street gang culture of the late ’80s and early ’90s — it appealed to the gangster voyeur in many millions of young people. Nelson George, a writer and filmmaker who has chronicled many aspects of modern African-American culture, talks about the origin of Gangsta Rap.

Help keep The World going strong!

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.