Gangsta Rap. It's one of the most controversial and storied genres in the history of all music. It also is the main contributor to the way that we all see Hip-Hop music these days. Its has grown from the streets of inner cities in America's major metropolises to the front page of the world's biggest publications. It has been the fodder for countless hours of talk radio and news networks. It has invaded suburbia and the farthest reaches of the globe. It has become an integral part of who we are. It's inside us all. And its here to stay.
There are a handful of people that have risen to the top of gangsta rap and become its biggest names. And a few others that helped to lay the groundwork for the genre. While numerous artists have also adopted gangsta rap full on or simply dabbled in it, here is the list of those that have truly worked to push the boundaries of gangsta rap to make it what it is today.
