What? We've had over 80 songs of the day and we've only touched on American gangsta rap once (Reincarnated by Kendrick Lamar)? I'm sorry — when I was a kid, we said dumb shit like "you can't spell crap without rap". There was an exception, for a while, from Straight Outta Compton by NWA, to Tha Chronic by Dr. Dre, and Doggystlye by Snoop Doggy Dogg, specifically bookended, IMO, by Fuck tha Police by NWA in the 80s, to Natural Born Killaz by Cube and Dre (of NWA). This was before Eminem, and even before Tupac and Biggie got big.
Now I listen to a bigger variety of music, including Japanese rap (see Creepy Nuts), but generally, you could find the most rap-hating rocker or metalhead, and play them Natural Born Killaz, and they'd say this song gets a pass. It's mostly the lyrics. Every bar a banger. If you wanted to learn what made gangsta rap special in the 1990s, this should be your first stop. Engaging beat, catchy lyrics with references to pop culture and current events. Helps if a couple of those current events highlight some racial injustice, or just social injustice in general. Rap's always been political, and punk.
Just like with Life is Beautiful by Sixx:A.M., you don't have to live the truths these guys are singing about to understand these things are happening out in the world. So, try to have a bit of compassion for people whose lives took a different turn from your own, even if they are successful.
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