gangsta rap artists
283 published gangsta rap artists, led by 2Pac, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne. The list below shows the 120 most famous.
At a glance
283 published gangsta rap artists; 3,523 studio albums have verified cover art.
- Published artists22 tier 1 · 17 tier 2 · 244 tier 3
- 283
- Release groups
- 9,763
- Studio albums
- 3,755
- Albums with cover artverified Cover Art Archive
- 3,523
- Timeline events
- 4,373
- Monthly listenerssum across artists
- 929.4M
- Claimed salessum of stored claims; implausible values excluded
- 320M
- Average career spanfirst to last dated release
- 22.3 years
- Full biographies
- 213
- Biography words
- 525,183
When they started
Debut decade from each artist's earliest dated release. Most debuts fell in the 1990s (87 artists).
| Decade | Artists |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 14 |
| 1990s | 87 |
| 2000s | 74 |
| 2010s | 30 |
| 2020s | 2 |
Where they come from
Countries with the most gangsta rap artists. United States leads with 241.
Often paired with
Genres that share artists with gangsta rap. The most shared is hardcore hip-hop, with 174 artists in both.
Covers from gangsta rap
3,523 studio albums have verified cover art. The 12 shown come from the most famous artists.
Reparation Is Due
2Pac · 2006
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
2Pac · 1996
The Black Album Revisited
Jay-Z · 2018
4:44
Jay-Z · 2017
Run the Map
Jay-Z · 2016
Before Reasonable Doubt: The Demos
Jay-Z · 2015
The Black Gangster
Jay-Z · 2015
Magna Carta… Holy Grail
Jay-Z · 2013
The Cuban Connection
Jay-Z · 2013
Howwa III: Dynastia
Jay-Z · 2012
Rare And Unreleased
Jay-Z · 2011
All Black Everything
Jay-Z · 2010
Leaders
Gucci Mane has the most release groups (333); Ice-T the longest career (43 years); Kendrick Lamar the most awards (42).
Most prolific
| Artist | release groups |
|---|---|
| Gucci Mane | 333 |
| Lil Wayne | 238 |
| 50 Cent | 215 |
| NLE Choppa | 201 |
| Baby Bash | 166 |
Longest careers
first to last dated release
| Artist | years |
|---|---|
| Ice-T | 43 |
| Too Short | 41 |
| Dr. Dre | 40 |
| KRS-One | 38 |
| King Tee | 38 |
Most decorated
| Artist | awards |
|---|---|
| Kendrick Lamar | 42 |
| Snoop Dogg | 32 |
| Jay-Z | 18 |
| T.I. | 18 |
| 2Pac | 15 |
Most famous gangsta rap artists

2Pac
United States · Person · born 1971
horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, G-funk
28.7M listeners · 135 wikis

Jay-Z
United States · Person · born 1969
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap
51.7M listeners · 88 wikis

Lil Wayne
United States · Person · born 1982
hardcore hip-hop, trap music, pop rap, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, bounce music, dirty south
47.6M listeners · 81 wikis

50 Cent
United States · Person · born 1975
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
45.3M listeners · 111 wikis

Snoop Dogg
United States · Person · born 1971
funk, reggae, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk
37.3M listeners · 98 wikis

Kendrick Lamar
United States · Person · born 1987
pop music, jazz, hardcore hip-hop, progressive rap, gangsta rap, alternative hip-hop, West Coast hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, jazz rap
71.1M listeners · 75 wikis

Dr. Dre
United States · Person · born 1965
gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk
23.5M listeners · 94 wikis

Ice Cube
United States · Person · born 1969
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, G-funk
16.7M listeners · 85 wikis
The Notorious B.I.G.
United States · Person · born 1972
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, G-funk
26.5M listeners · 71 wikis

Coolio
United States · Person · born 1963
pop rap, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop
17.8M listeners · 63 wikis

T.I.
United States · Person · born 1980
hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, Atlanta hip-hop
19.8M listeners · 51 wikis

The Game
United States · Person · born 1979
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop
16M listeners · 53 wikis
More gangsta rap artists
Showing 1–108 of 108 artists

DMX
United States · Person · born 1970
horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, Christian hip-hop
11.4M listeners · 58 wikis · Tier 2

6ix9ine
United States · Person · born 1996
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, reggaeton, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, SoundCloud rap, punk rap, trap metal, urbano music, drill, Brooklyn drill
14.4M listeners · 52 wikis · Tier 1

Gucci Mane
United States · Person · born 1980
hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, Atlanta hip-hop, dirty rap
24.4M listeners · 40 wikis · Tier 1

Kodak Black
United States · Person · born 1997
hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, SoundCloud rap, mumble rap
32.5M listeners · 30 wikis · Tier 1

Rick Ross
United States · Person · born 1976
hardcore hip-hop, trap music, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south
16.8M listeners · 45 wikis · Tier 1

French Montana
Morocco · Person · born 1984
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
30.3M listeners · 31 wikis · Tier 1

Wu-Tang Clan
United States · Group · 1992–present
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap
7.2M listeners · 54 wikis · Tier 2

YoungBoy Never Broke Again
United States · Person · born 1999
hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop
18.9M listeners · 31 wikis · Tier 1

Ludacris
United States · Person · born 1977
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, Atlanta hip-hop, dirty rap
9.6M listeners · 55 wikis · Tier 3

Nas
United States · Person · born 1973
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, alternative hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, jazz rap, boom bap
9.1M listeners · 56 wikis · Tier 3

Chief Keef
United States · Person · born 1995
hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, SoundCloud rap, punk rap, mumble rap, drill, Chicago hip-hop, Chicago drill
15.7M listeners · 40 wikis · Tier 1

Roddy Ricch
United States · Person · born 1998
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, pop rap, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop
19.4M listeners · 29 wikis · Tier 1

Soulja Boy
United States · Person · born 1990
contemporary R&B, trap music, pop rap, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, Atlanta hip-hop, snap music
14.8M listeners · 35 wikis · Tier 1

Pop Smoke
United States · Person · born 1999
hip-hop, trap music, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, drill, Brooklyn drill
15.2M listeners · 34 wikis · Tier 2

Lil Durk
United States · Person · born 1992
hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, drill, Chicago hip-hop, Chicago drill
19.2M listeners · 28 wikis · Tier 1

Meek Mill
United States · Person · born 1987
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
16.5M listeners · 30 wikis · Tier 1
2 Chainz
United States · Person · born 1977
hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, Atlanta hip-hop
10.2M listeners · 41 wikis · Tier 3

Fat Joe
United States · Person · born 1970
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
12.2M listeners · 36 wikis · Tier 1

Jeezy
United States · Person · born 1977
hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, Atlanta hip-hop
10.9M listeners · 38 wikis · Tier 3

King Von
United States · Person · born 1994
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, drill, Chicago hip-hop, Chicago drill
11.9M listeners · 35 wikis · Tier 2

Lil' Kim
United States · Person · born 1974
contemporary R&B, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, dirty rap
6.6M listeners · 39 wikis · Tier 2

Lil Jon
United States · Person · born 1972
electronic dance music, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, Atlanta hip-hop, dirty rap
7.8M listeners · 44 wikis · Tier 3

Ja Rule
United States · Person · born 1976
contemporary R&B, hardcore hip-hop, pop rap, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, political hip-hop
9.3M listeners · 39 wikis · Tier 3

NLE Choppa
United States · Person · born 2002
hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, drill, Memphis rap
14.5M listeners · 24 wikis · Tier 1

Juicy J
United States · Person · born 1975
horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, dirty rap, Memphis rap
8.7M listeners · 34 wikis · Tier 3

YG
United States · Person · born 1990
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, dirty rap
11.3M listeners · 28 wikis · Tier 3

Waka Flocka Flame
United States · Person · born 1986
hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, Atlanta hip-hop
12M listeners · 24 wikis · Tier 3
Mobb Deep
United States · Group · 1992–2012
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
7.5M listeners · 34 wikis · Tier 2

Schoolboy Q
United States · Person · born 1986
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop
9.3M listeners · 27 wikis · Tier 3

YNW Melly
United States · Person · born 1999
contemporary R&B, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, drill
11.5M listeners · 20 wikis · Tier 3

Kevin Gates
United States · Person · born 1986
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south
8.8M listeners · 21 wikis · Tier 3

Fabolous
United States · Person · born 1977
East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
6.1M listeners · 29 wikis · Tier 3

Sidhu Moose Wala
India · Person · born 1993
contemporary R&B, hip-hop, gangsta rap
9.1M listeners · 19 wikis · Tier 3

Moneybagg Yo
United States · Person · born 1991
hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, Memphis rap
11.2M listeners · 14 wikis · Tier 3

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
United States · Group · 1991–present
contemporary R&B, hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, gangsta rap, G-funk, chopper
6.1M listeners · 28 wikis · Tier 3

Twista
United States · Person · born 1973
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, gangsta rap, chopper
6.9M listeners · 24 wikis · Tier 3

Pooh Shiesty
United States · Person · born 1999
hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, drill, Memphis rap
8.1M listeners · 16 wikis · Tier 3

Key Glock
United States · Person · born 1997
trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, Memphis rap
10.4M listeners · 7 wikis · Tier 3

Baby Bash
United States · Person · born 1975
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, West Coast hip-hop, Chicano rap
6.9M listeners · 16 wikis · Tier 3

G Herbo
United States · Person · born 1995
hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, drill, Chicago hip-hop, Chicago drill
6.5M listeners · 13 wikis · Tier 3

42 Dugg
United States · Person · born 1994
Midwest hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Michigan rap
7.7M listeners · 9 wikis · Tier 3

SDM
France · Person · born 1995
hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap
7.9M listeners · 6 wikis · Tier 3

Niska
France · Person · born 1994
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, pop rap, gangsta rap, French hip-hop, Afro trap
6.3M listeners · 10 wikis · Tier 3

Racionais MC's
Brazil · Group · 1988–present
gangsta rap, political hip-hop
6.1M listeners · 9 wikis · Tier 3
N.W.A.
United States · Group · 1986–1991
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, old-school hip-hop
56 wikis · Tier 2

Eazy-E
United States · Person · born 1964
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, G-funk
57 wikis · Tier 2

Ice-T
United States · Person · born 1958
heavy metal music, hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, gangsta rap, nu metal, rap metal, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, old-school hip-hop, golden age hip-hop
49 wikis · Tier 3

Xzibit
United States · Person · born 1974
hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk, underground hip-hop
51 wikis · Tier 3

MC Ren
United States · Person · born 1969
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, G-funk
34 wikis · Tier 3

D12
United States · Group · 1996–2018
horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, comedy hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, gangsta rap
41 wikis · Tier 2

Ghostface Killah
United States · Person · born 1970
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap
31 wikis · Tier 3

GZA
United States · Person · born 1966
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap
31 wikis · Tier 3

Raekwon
United States · Person · born 1970
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, boom bap
31 wikis · Tier 3

Big Pun
United States · Person · born 1971
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, Latin hip-hop
38 wikis · Tier 2

Masta Killa
United States · Person · born 1969
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, alternative hip-hop
27 wikis · Tier 3

KRS-One
United States · Person · born 1965
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, political hip-hop, conscious hip-hop, old-school hip-hop, golden age hip-hop, boom bap
36 wikis · Tier 3

Nipsey Hussle
United States · Person · born 1985
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop
34 wikis · Tier 2

DJ Yella
United States · Person · born 1961
hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop
24 wikis · Tier 3

Lloyd Banks
United States · Person · born 1982
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
33 wikis · Tier 3

Timati
Russia · Person · born 1983
contemporary R&B, hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, hip house, breakcore, pornogrind
32 wikis · Tier 3

Young Buck
United States · Person · born 1981
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk
32 wikis · Tier 3
Big L
United States · Person · born 1974
horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, underground hip-hop
31 wikis · Tier 2

MC Eiht
United States · Person · born 1971
gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk
31 wikis · Tier 3

Proof
United States · Person · born 1973
hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, gangsta rap
31 wikis · Tier 2

Suge Knight
United States · Person · born 1965
gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk
30 wikis · Tier 2

Tech N9ne
United States · Person · born 1971
horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, rap rock, Midwest hip-hop, gangsta rap, nu metal, rap metal, crunk, G-funk, industrial hip-hop, chopper, indie hip-hop
30 wikis · Tier 3

Three 6 Mafia
United States · Group · 1991–2012
hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, dirty rap, underground hip-hop, Memphis rap
29 wikis · Tier 3

Jay Park
United States · Person · born 1987
rhythm and blues, gangsta rap, K-pop, hip hop culture
29 wikis · Tier 3

Master P
United States · Person · born 1970
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, G-funk
29 wikis · Tier 3

Warren G
United States · Person · born 1970
gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk
29 wikis · Tier 3

Kurupt
United States · Person · born 1972
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk
28 wikis · Tier 3

Birdman
United States · Person · born 1969
hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, bounce music, dirty south, crunk
27 wikis · Tier 3

Booba
France · Person · born 1976
trap music, gangsta rap, French hip-hop
27 wikis · Tier 3

Bushido
Germany · Person · born 1978
hip-hop, gangsta rap
27 wikis · Tier 3

E-40
United States · Person · born 1967
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, crunk, West Coast hip-hop, hyphy
27 wikis · Tier 3

Shawn Fonteno
United States · Person · born 1968
gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop
27 wikis · Tier 3

Tony Yayo
United States · Person · born 1978
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
27 wikis · Tier 3

Cappadonna
United States · Person · born 1969
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
18 wikis · Tier 3
Mack 10
United States · Person · born 1971
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk
26 wikis · Tier 3

Ace Hood
United States · Person · born 1988
gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop
25 wikis · Tier 3

David Banner
United States · Person · born 1974
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk
25 wikis · Tier 3

Too Short
United States · Person · born 1966
hardcore hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, crunk, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk, dirty rap, old-school hip-hop, golden age hip-hop, hyphy
25 wikis · Tier 3

WC
United States · Person · born 1970
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk
25 wikis · Tier 3

Jadakiss
United States · Person · born 1975
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
24 wikis · Tier 3

Vince Staples
United States · Person · born 1993
gangsta rap, alternative hip-hop, West Coast hip-hop
24 wikis · Tier 3

The D.O.C.
United States · Person · born 1968
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk
23 wikis · Tier 3

AZ
United States · Person · born 1972
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, underground hip-hop
23 wikis · Tier 3

Bun B
United States · Person · born 1973
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, country rap
23 wikis · Tier 3

Jim Jones
United States · Person · born 1976
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
23 wikis · Tier 3
Outlawz
United States · Group · 1995–present
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, G-funk
23 wikis · Tier 3

Arabian Prince
United States · Person · born 1965
funk, hip-hop, electro, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, political hip-hop, G-funk, old-school hip-hop
22 wikis · Tier 3

Blueface
United States · Person · born 1997
hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop
22 wikis · Tier 3
Cam'ron
United States · Person · born 1976
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
22 wikis · Tier 3

Juelz Santana
United States · Person · born 1982
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
22 wikis · Tier 3

Kool G Rap
United States · Person · born 1968
horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, old-school hip-hop, golden age hip-hop, underground hip-hop
22 wikis · Tier 3

Daz Dillinger
United States · Person · born 1973
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip-hop, G-funk
21 wikis · Tier 3

Krayzie Bone
United States · Person · born 1973
hip-hop, horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, Midwest hip-hop, pop rap, gangsta rap, G-funk, chopper
21 wikis · Tier 3

Lil Scrappy
United States · Person · born 1984
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, crunk, Atlanta hip-hop
21 wikis · Tier 3
Pimp C
United States · Person · born 1973
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, country rap, dirty rap
21 wikis · Tier 3

Prodigy
United States · Person · born 1974
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
21 wikis · Tier 3

Scarface
United States · Person · born 1970
horrorcore, hardcore hip-hop, mafioso rap, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, G-funk
21 wikis · Tier 3

Einár
Sweden · Person · born 2002
hip-hop, gangsta rap
20 wikis · Tier 3

Ill Bill
United States · Person · born 1972
hip-hop, gangsta rap
20 wikis · Tier 3

Plies
United States · Person · born 1976
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, dirty rap
20 wikis · Tier 3

Slim Thug
United States · Person · born 1980
hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south
20 wikis · Tier 3

Sticky Fingaz
United States · Person · born 1973
hardcore hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap
20 wikis · Tier 3

Trick Daddy
United States · Person · born 1974
hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty rap
20 wikis · Tier 3

Yo Gotti
United States · Person · born 1981
hardcore hip-hop, trap music, gangsta rap, Southern hip-hop, dirty south, Memphis rap
20 wikis · Tier 3