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.
Read the latest articles about your favorite rappers
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2 years ago
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Kanye West

Justin Bieber wears a yellow polo, orange sunglasses, and a backwards hat. He walks outside.

Notable People

Fans Worry Justin Bieber Is ‘Becoming Kanye’

Justin Bieber and Kanye West once had a friendly relationship. Fans worry Bieber is starting to act like the rapper.

by Emma McKee

Published on June 24, 2025

2 min read

A close-up of Bianca Censori at the Grammy Awards in 2025. She's wearing a black fur coat.

Notable People

Bianca Censori Spotted on the Streets of New York City Wearing Nothing but an Edible Bikini

Bianca Censori turned up in Brooklyn in nothing but a candy bikini. It looked similar to a product Kim Kardashian sold in 2024.

by Andrea Francese

Taylor Swift wears a silver dress and holds a VMA. Kanye West interrupts her. He holds a microphone and wears black.

Notable People

Kanye ‘Ye’ West Once Said He’d ‘Never Sit in an Awards Show Again’ After This Iconic Incident

Kanye 'Ye' West once said that he'd never attend another awards show after his iconic incident in 2009. Here's what he once told Ellen DeGeneres and how she reacted.

by Lauren Weiler

Beyoncé and Jay-Z Tour 58 Acres of Land in England — Are They Moving Out of the US?

Are Beyoncé and Jay-Z planning to move abroad to England after touring 58 acres of land near London? Here's what sources allege regarding the couple's possible future plans.

by Lauren Weiler

Published on June 30, 2025

3 min read

Jay-Z and Beyoncé sitting together and smiling at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Jay-Z is wearing a tuxedo. Beyoncé is wearing a fur coat over a gold dress. Her hair is long and blonde.

Notable People

Beyoncé Smoothly Dodged a Bold Question About Being Jay-Z’s ‘Gangster Girl’

Beyoncé isn't keen on revealing her personal life to the press. Here's how she carefully dodged a question in 2003 about becoming Jay-Z's 'gangster girl.'

by Lauren Weiler

Beyoncé sitting behind Blue Ivy Carter at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. Blue Ivy is looking at the camera and wearing a blue sleeveless dress.

Notable People

Blue Ivy ‘Considering’ Her Own Music Career, Writers Are ‘Quietly Penning Demos,’ Source Says

Blue Ivy Carter might be on her way to music stardom after her stunning appearance on Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' tour. Here's what a source alleged.

by Lauren Weiler

Diddy’s Bodyguard Claimed a Terrified Jay-Z Hid From Tupac Before Concert

Jay-Z reportedly worried about what would happen if Tupac Shakur confronted him. Diddy's bodyguard claimed Jay-Z Hid from the rapper.

by Emma McKee

Published on January 4, 2025

2 min read

Tupac wears a brown vest and blue bandanna. He stands in front of a black brick wall. Diddy wears a white suit and stands on a red carpet.

Music

Tupac Shared Why He Thought Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Bad Boy Records Was in ‘Hell’

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' record label feuded with Death Row, which represented Tupac. Tupac shared his thoughts on Bad Boy.

by Emma McKee

Sean 'Diddy' Combs wears a black denim jacket and sunglasses. He holds a microphone.

Music

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Didn’t Think Tupac or Suge Knight Would Have Ever Hurt Him

Sean "Diddy" Combs knew there were rumors about his safety being at risk. Here's why he didn't take them seriously.

by Emma McKee

Nas’ Brother Jungle Recalls Confrontation With Tupac, Death Row: ‘It Got Scary a Little Bit’

Nas and his brother Jungle discuss a Tupac encounter where Jungle had a run-in with him and Death Row.

by Kourtnee Jackson

Music

The Iconic Notorious B.I.G. Song That Was Originally Meant For Mary J. Blige

The Notorious B.I.G. was an icon of hip-hop in the 1990s, while Mary J. Blige was one of the hottest new singers in the game. One of Biggie's hit songs was actually intended for the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul"

by Chris Malone

Music

50 Cent Was More Afraid of His Mom Growing Up Than Neighborhood Bullies

50 Cent has been a pioneer of gangsta rap for decades, and in more recent years, has parlayed his time as a rapper into a successful acting career. On Power, 50 played Kanan Stark, one of the series’ antagonists and the focus of the new spinoff Power Book III: Raising Kanan. 50 Cent grew up …

by Chris Malone

Music

Inside Madonna and Vanilla Ice’s Relationship

Madonna has been a music icon for decades. Throughout her career, she's been in several publicized relationships with rappers, including Tupac Shakur and Vanilla Ice

by Chris Malone

Music

What Is Saweetie’s Zodiac Sign?

Saweetie has established a personal brand over the years to include a McDonald's meal and much more. Throughout that time, she's been in a highly publicized relationship with rapper Quavo. Many fans wonder what their astrological compatibility is like

by Chris Malone

Music

Mary J. Blige Had a Personal Connection to 1 of Her Songs With The Notorious B.I.G.

Mary J. Blige and The Notorious B.I.G. both rose to fame in the 1990s, and they were good friends with each other before Biggie's untimely death. One of the songs they did together meant a lot to Blige for a personal reason

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Murder Can Likely Be Traced Back to 1 Hip-Hop Figure

The Notorious B.I.G. was an icon of hip-hop for years, and his death has remained a mystery for over two decades. There is one music industry figure, however, who could be behind it all

by Chris Malone

Music

Inside Diddy and Drake’s Physical Fight

Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Drake have been two icons of hip-hop for years now. Once, the two superstar rappers got in a physical altercation. It wasn't Diddy's first time fighting with another rapper

by Chris Malone

News

Diddy Once Had a Chair Thrown at Him By an Iconic Rapper

Diddy is a music industry icon, but he's gotten in a number of physical altercations throughout his career. At one point, he even had a chair thrown at him by a fellow New York icon

by Chris Malone

Music

Common Says Fat Joe ‘Saved My Life’ During Tense Moment With Mack 10’s Crew

Common says Fat Joe helped him avoid problems with Mack 10's West Coast crew, and saved his life.

by Kourtnee Jackson

Music

The Notorious B.I.G. Was Killed By a Hitman Allegedly Hired By 1 of His Music Industry Rivals

The Notorious B.I.G. remains one of the most influential names in hip-hop. He's regarded as one of the greats, and many other rappers aspired to be like him. Now, years after his untimely death in 1997, the story behind his murder — and who killed him — is slowly coming to light.

by Chris Malone

Music

The Late Music Icon The Notorious B.I.G. Defended Weeks Before His Own Death

The Notorious B.I.G. was known by those close to him for having a gentle spirit and liking other music besides just rap. Weeks before his own death, he stood up for another music icon who died unexpectedly

by Chris Malone

Notable People

Did Eminem Ever Meet His Father Before He Died?

Find out if Eminem ever met his father, Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr., prior his death in 2019.

by Michelle Kapusta

Music

How Did Nicki Minaj Meet Her Husband, Kenneth ‘Zoo’ Petty?

Nicki Minaj is a rap icon with over a decade of experience to her name. In 2019, she married Kenneth 'Zoo' Petty. But their relationship dates back much further

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G. Was a Mentor to an Iconic New York Rapper

The Notorious B.I.G. is a hip-hop legend and an icon of New York rap. Before his death in 1997, he took another New York rapper under his wing as his mentor. After that, he became a star in his own right

by Chris Malone

Notable People

Why Wale Thinks He’s ‘One of the Greatest Rappers of All Time’

Wale self-proclaims the title as 'One of the Greatest Rappers Alive'. Social media immediately reacts to his bold statement.

by Chántelle Adanna

Music

Former Bad Boy Bodyguard Claims Notorious B.I.G. Planned to Leave Diddy’s Label for More Lucrative Deal

Notorious B.I.G. had another label deal in his hand before his death, says former Bad Boy bodyguard Gene Deal.

by Kourtnee Jackson

Music / Net worth

What Is Jadakiss’ Net Worth in 2021?

Jadakiss rose to fame as a part of The LOX, and is an accomplished solo artist as well. He's regarded by many as an icon of New York hip-hop. What is the rapper's net worth in 2021?

by Chris Malone

Music

DMX: Peter Rosenberg Shares Why the Late Rapper Was a ‘Quintessential Hot 97 Artist’ Ahead of Summer Jam Tribute

Radio station Hot 97 will pay tribute to the life and legacy of DMX. The rapper died in April 2021 at the age of 50.

by Elizabeth Randolph

Music

What Is Nicki Minaj’s Baby’s Name?

Nicki Minaj has been a rap icon for over a decade. In 2020, she added a new title to her list: mother. She gave birth to her first child with husband Kenneth 'Zoo' Petty. What is the baby's name?

by Chris Malone