Rappers Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Rappers
Kanye West (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
Rappers
Rappers are some of the most prominent artists on the top 40 charts. Rap/ hip-hop is a musical style and genre featuring rhythmic and sometimes rhyming speech that is rapped over a musical backing. Rap originated in African American communities in New York City and started to become part of the mainstream music scene in the 1970s. Rap Trivia:
- "Rap" is said to stand for "rhythm and poetry."
- Jay-Z has the most Grammy Awards for any rapper, with 23 wins and 80 nominations over his career.
- Kendrick Lamar won Pulitzer Prize in Music for 2018 for his 2017 album Damn, the first time the award has gone to an artist outside the classical or jazz genres.
Genre Origin: New York City, 1970s Popular subgenres: Trap rap, gangsta rap, Boom-bap, Soundcloud rap, and Lo-fi hip-hop Notable Rappers: Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Eminem, Ghostface Killah, Lauryn Hill, Nas, Nicki Minaj, and Drake.
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Kanye West

Music

Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign’s ‘Slide’ Review: Sloppy Production Continues West’s Slide From the Top

The most interesting thing about Kanye West’s “Slide” is that it features a curveball movie reference. The reference doesn’t fit with West’s public image.

by Matthew Trzcinski

Published on August 3, 2024

2 min read

Kanye West standing next to Taylor Swift

Music

Taylor Swift Wrote a Song About Kanye West After He Interrupted Her

Everyone remembers that Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Not everyone remembers that this controversy inspired Swift to pen a pop ballad.

by Matthew Trzcinski

Nicki Minaj and Kanye West talking to each other at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.

Celebrity

Kanye West Once Felt It Was Necessary for Nicki Minaj to Outshine Him on ‘Monster’

Kanye West once reflected on the huge hit his ego took after Nicki Minaj outdid him on his own record.

by Antonio Stallings

Beyoncé Once Confronted an Actor Who Was Flirting With Jay-Z

Beyoncé has shown a couple of times how protective she was of Jay-Z and their marriage, as she’s been willing to confront anyone who might pose a threat to them.

by Antonio Stallings

Published on June 21, 2024

3 min read

Rosie Perez smiling in a black dress while at the 49th Chaplin Award Honoring Jeff Bridges.

Celebrity

Rosie Perez Once Lost a Lot of Respect for Jay-Z After His Feud With Nas

Why Rosie Perez was disappointed by Jay-Z during his feud with Nas in the 2000s.

by Antonio Stallings

Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake performing on stage together.

Celebrity

Why Justin Timberlake Turned Down Working With Jay-Z

It took a while before Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake were finally able to work together on a record.

by Antonio Stallings

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Wrote to Tupac to Clear the Air While He Was in Prison

In 1995, Tupac went to prison. Sean 'Diddy' Combs took this as an opportunity to write to the rapper.

by Emma McKee

Published on September 27, 2024

2 min read

Tupac wears a hat and a camo jacket. Diddy wears a tuxedo.

Celebrity

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Admitted He Was ‘Scared’ About Getting Implicated in Tupac’s Murder

Sean 'Diddy' Combs has long faced accusations of being involved in Tupac's death. He said he was worried about this when he first heard the news.

by Emma McKee

Music

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Said It Was ‘Unfair’ That He Was Involved in a Rivalry With ‘Crazy’ Tupac Shakur

Sean 'Diddy' Combs said he hadn't wanted to fight with Tupac Shakur. He shared why he felt the situation was unfair to him.

by Emma McKee

Masked Wolf Explained the Lyrics of ‘Astronaut in the Ocean’ in a YouTube Comment

Masked Wolf explained some of the unique lyrics of "Astronaut in the Ocean" on YouTube. Here's how the public reacted to the song.

by Matthew Trzcinski

Music

Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G. Had Nearly Identical Lives Before Becoming Rappers

Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G. are two icons in the world of hip-hop, especially in their home city of New York. The two had very similar lives before they achieved fame as rappers

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Personality In Real Life Was Very Different From His Music

The Notorious B.I.G. a.k.a. Biggie Smalls helped popularize gangsta rap on the East Coast and always rapped with a braggadocious energy. But his personality in his music was much different than in real life

by Chris Malone

Music

What Does The Notorious B.I.G. Stand For?

In the 1990s, Biggie Smalls a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G. was one of the hottest rappers in the game, and his legacy has long outlived his death. He officially changed his name to The Notorious B.I.G. after his career breakout. What does B.I.G. stand for?

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Favorite Rapper Was a Hip-Hop Legend

The Notorious B.I.G. a.k.a. Biggie Smalls remains one of the most lauded rappers of all time. The Brooklyn-bred MC was instrumental in the East Coast hip-hop vs. West Coast hip-hop feud before his death in 1997. The rapper himself looked up to a legend who came before him

by Chris Malone

Music

How Tall Was The Notorious B.I.G.?

The Notorious B.I.G. was an iconic rapper who was first introduced to the world as Biggie Smalls in the early 1990s. Both of his rap names came from his size

by Chris Malone

Music

Was Faith Evans Pregnant When The Notorious B.I.G. Died?

In the 1990s, The Notorious B.I.G. was one of the biggest rappers in the world. In the mid-'90s up until his death in 1997, he was married to singer Faith Evans. Was Evans pregnant with Biggie's child when he died?

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G. Didn’t Want His Mom to Listen to His Music

Voletta Wallace raised her son Christopher as a single mother. He went on to become The Notorious B.I.G., a.k.a. Biggie Smalls, with countless explicit songs to his name. Because of his music's subject matter, he never wanted his mom to hear it

by Chris Malone

Music

Who Is Biggy Smallz? The Rapper Behind The Notorious B.I.G.’s Name Change

For years, The Notorious B.I.G. was known by the name Biggie Smalls. He eventually had to change it because of another rapper who had the same name, spelled differently

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Daughter Revealed Who He Would Have Thanked at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Notorious B.I.G. died before his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, but his daughter and son spoke for him at the ceremony.

by Matthew Trzcinski

Music

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Original Rap Name Was Completely Different

Biggie Smalls a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G. has been a legend in the world of hip-hop for decades. He has many iconic songs to his name. But his stage name was almost something completely different

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G. Couldn’t Sleep Without Listening to Country Music

Biggie Smalls a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G. is known as a legendary rapper and a pioneer in hip-hop. But "Big Poppa" loved all kinds of music besides rap, including country

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Jamaican Roots Helped His Career in a Big Way

Biggie Smalls a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G. has been beloved for decades thanks to his music and personality. The rapper lived in Brooklyn with his Jamaican mother and visited Jamaica often as a child. His connection to his heritage helped his career in an important way

by Chris Malone

Celebrity / Music

Lil Dicky’s 1 Music Video Cost $700,000 to Make

Find out why one of Lil Dicky's music videos cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to make, as compared to the cheapest music video he ever made.

by Lauren Anderson

Music

How Old Was Biggie Smalls When He Died?

The Notorious B.I.G. a.k.a. Biggie Smalls was one of the legendary rappers to arise in the golden age of hip-hop in the '90s. His tragic death in 1997 rocked the music industry, and the world at large. How old was the rap icon when he died?

by Chris Malone

Music

Mariah Carey Wasn’t Happy With Biggie Smalls Shouting Her Out in 1 of His Songs: ‘F— Him’

Mariah Carey has been an icon in the music industry for decades. She rose to fame in the 1990s at the same time rappers such as The Notorious B.I.G. a.k.a. Biggie Smalls were making a name for themselves. When Biggie shouted out Carey in one of his hit songs, she wasn't pleased

by Chris Malone

Music

Inside Lil’ Kim and Biggie Smalls’ Relationship

In the 1990s, Lil' Kim and The Notorious B.I.G. a.k.a. Biggie Smalls were two of Brooklyn's finest rappers. They eventually struck up a romantic relationship — while Biggie was married to Faith Evans

by Chris Malone

Music

Was The Notorious B.I.G. Married to Lil’ Kim?

The Notorious B.I.G. and Lil' Kim were in a relationship in the 1990s that many in the industry knew about but it still remained an open secret. Did the two hit rappers ever tie the knot behind closed doors?

by Chris Malone

Celebrity

Exclusive Interview: Snoop Dogg’s Wife Shante Broadus Speaks on Love, Fam, and Taking Care of Business

Shante Broadus, Snoop Dogg's wife, recently took over as his manager. She discusses their journey so far and what to expect from them as business partners.

by Kourtnee Jackson

Celebrity

50 Cent Said Sharon Osbourne Gave Him His Nickname

50 Cent has a backstory attached to his stage name, but one of his nicknames came from former 'The Talk' co-host, Sharon Osbourne.

by Kourtnee Jackson