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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Faith Evans Reflects on Being Estranged From The Notorious B.I.G. at the Time of His Murder
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4 years ago
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4 years ago
Snoop Dogg Included Gang References In His Super Bowl Halftime Show Performance
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2 years ago
Bad Bunny, Robin Thicke, and Rolling Stones: 5 of the Most Expensive Music Copyright Lawsuits of All Time
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3 years ago
Dr. Dre Questioned Himself as an Artist When He Couldn’t Complete His ‘Detox’ Album

Kanye West

Kim Kardashian and Kanye 'Ye' West wearing sunglasses and sitting while they watch a basketball game

Notable People

Kim Kardashian Just Commented on Viral Video Allegedly Showing Her and Kanye West in Accident

Kim Kardashian took to Instagram comments to debunk a viral video that allegedly showed her and Kanye 'Ye' West in an accident. Here's what she posted.

by Lauren Weiler

Published on September 12, 2025

2 min read

Mike Myers holds a cup of coffee and stands next to Kanye West, who wears a jacket and sunglasses.

Notable People

George Bush Said Kanye West’s Infamous Call-Out Was an ‘All-Time Low’ in His Presidency

George Bush and Kanye West were at odds in the early 2000s. Here's what Bush said about one of West's most infamous moments.

by Emma McKee

Kanye West wears a white shirt and sits in front of a microphone.

Notable People

People Mourn How Much Kanye West Has Changed 20 Years After ‘George Bush Doesn’t Care About Black People’

In 2005, Kanye West entered live TV history when he called out George Bush. People are reflecting on the moment.

by Emma McKee

Jay-Z Is ‘Absolutely Not Dropping an Album,’ Cash Cobain Says

Fans hoping for new music from Jay-Z will have to keep waiting. Cash Cobain just verified via an X post that Jay-Z isn't planning on dropping a new album anytime soon.

by Lauren Weiler

Published on September 13, 2025

3 min read

Jay-Z and Beyoncé holding hands and walking outside. Beyoncé is wearing a denim outfit and a cowboy hat.

Notable People

Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s New Neighbors in England Worry About ‘Swarms’ of Paparazzi

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are reportedly moving to England, and not all of their new neighbors are excited. Here's what some of their neighbors have to say about the power couple's move.

by Lauren Weiler

Jay-Z and Beyoncé posing and smiling at the Grammy Awards

Notable People

Beyoncé and Jay-Z Reportedly Close the Deal on British Farmland for New Estate

Beyoncé and Jay-Z might be ready to have a new place outside of the US. Here's what reports suggest about how they likely closed the deal on some British farmland.

by Lauren Weiler

Drake’s 2Pac Death Row Pendant Is Fake, According to Suge Knight: ‘Whoever Sold You That … He Played You’

According to Suge Knight, Drake just accidentally bought a fake Death Row Records pendant that Tupac Shakur never owned. Here's what he said from jail.

by Lauren Weiler

Published on August 28, 2025

3 min read

Diddy’s Reputation of Always Being Fired From Movies Cost Him Audition for Iconic Role That Went to Tupac Shakur

Notable People

Suge Knight Makes Claims About Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Tupac’s Own Mother’s Involvement in the Rapper’s 1996 Death

Marion "Suge" Knight is making fresh claims about the late Tupac Shakur's death and who was involved.

by Michelle Kapusta

Music

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

Inside The Notorious B.I.G.’s Acting Career

The Notorious B.I.G. was known to many as an accomplished rapper. But Biggie was more than that: he was a creative in every sense of the world. He'd even flexed his acting chops in different roles

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G. Went to The Same High School As a Notable Republican Politician

The Notorious B.I.G. often took pride in his upbringing in Brooklyn. The New York icon went to the same high school as a prominent Republican politician

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G. Hit Single That Reinvented The Song It Sampled

The Notorious B.I.G. was a talented musician who was known for sampling hit songs in his music. One of his hit singles contained a now-iconic sample, but he reinvented it in a new way

by Chris Malone

Music

Tupac Shakur’s Mother Faced Harsh Treatment in Jail

Tupac Shakur was known for addressing real issues in his music, and for his social consciousness that informed everything he did. He learned a lot from his mother, who experienced abuse and violence at the hands of the state

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G. Was an Artist In More Ways Than 1

The Notorious B.I.G. has cemented his place in hip-hop history and is regarded by many as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Biggie Smalls was known for his unique rap style and the new and different take he brought to rap. His creativity went beyond just music

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G.: Why Prince Declined to Make a Song With Him

Prince didn't want to record a song for The Notorious B.I.G.'s album 'Life After Death' because of the controversy surrounding the portrayal of women in hip-hop at the time. 'Life After Death' was more successful than Prince's 'Emancipation.'

by Matthew Trzcinski

Music

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Baby Mother Said He Had a Certain Type When It Came to Dating

The Notorious B.I.G., like many other rappers, often spoke about having sex and relationships with multiple women. His baby's mother and ex-girlfriend revealed that he had a certain pattern when it came to dating

by Chris Malone

Music

The Notorious B.I.G. Included a Small Part of His Romantic History In the Background of His ‘Juicy’ Video

The Notorious B.I.G., like many other rappers, often rapped about his romantic and sexual escapades. In the music video for his hit single 'Juicy,' he included a part of his romantic history that few know about

by Chris Malone

Music / TV

‘Dave’: Why Fans Can Likely Expect New Lil Dicky Music Before Another Season of the FXX Series

Find out when Dave 'Lil Dicky' Burd's fans can expect new music from the rapper and star of the FXX series 'Dave.'

by Lauren Anderson

Notable People / TV

‘Dave’ FXX Is Proof Dave ‘Lil Dicky’ Burd and GaTa Have a Raw, Authentic Friendship

Dave “Lil Dicky” Burd plays a version of himself in the FXX show Dave. Many of the characters and relationships, in the comedy series are rooted in truth. That includes Burd’s friendship with hype man GaTa. For Dave fans wondering how much of Lil Dicky‘s friendship with GaTa is real, we’re here to tell you it’s 100%. ‘Dave’ …

by Lauren Anderson

Music

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Most Famous ‘Diss Track’ Isn’t Actually a Diss Track

The Notorious B.I.G. was known for his domineering persona in his music and his ability to call out other rappers. But one of his most famous diss tracks (and one of hip-hop's most well-known in history) wasn't actually intended to be a direct diss

by Chris Malone

Music

Nicki Minaj Almost Gave Her Baby a Shocking Name

Nicki Minaj has been known by other names throughout her career. The rap icon became a mother in 2020. When she was deciding what to name her child, she almost chose something very unique

by Chris Malone

Music

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