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
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3 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

A close-up of Bianca Censori in a black coat at the 67th Grammy Awards

Notable People

Bianca Censori Tags Marc Jacobs in Mysterious Posts

Bianca Censori made a surprising return to Instagram with a series of photos -- and she tagged Marc Jacobs in all of them. Here's what to know.

by Lauren Weiler

Published on November 4, 2025

1 min read

Kanye West and Chance the Rapper above a crowd performing in 2016

Notable People

Chance the Rapper Says Fans Treat Him Like Kanye West’s ‘Therapist’

Chance the Rapper just commented on his longstanding friendship with Kanye 'Ye' West. Here's what he said about some fans thinking he's West's 'therapist.'

by Lauren Weiler

(L) Kim Kardashian seen at film festival in Venice, (R) Bianca Censori seen at Milan Fashion Week

Notable People

Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s New ‘Revenge Brand’ Targets Kim Kardashian’s Empire

Are Kanye West and Bianca Censori plotting revenge against Kim Kardashian now? Here's what insiders are saying.

by Michelle Kapusta

Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s Top 3 Couple’s Halloween Costumes

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are known for their incredible couple's costumes on Halloween. Here are the top 3 they've created -- some with the addition of Blue Ivy Carter.

by Lauren Weiler

Published on October 31, 2025

3 min read

Nicki Minaj and 50 Cent face each other on a stage and hold microphones.

Notable People

50 Cent Said He Likes to See Nicki Minaj ‘Get Mad’ at Jay-Z

Nicki Minaj has expressed her discontent with Jay-Z multiple times in recent months. Here's how 50 Cent responded to her posts.

by Emma McKee

Jay Z and Beyonce Knowles-Carter posing and smiling against an orange backdrop at 'The Lion King' premiere

Notable People

Beyoncé and Jay-Z Tear Down $17 Million Property for More Lawn

Beyoncé and Jay-Z continue to make big moves with their residences. Here's what a new report says about how they purchased a home next door just to tear it down.

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

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

Music

How Did Nicki Minaj Meet Lil Wayne?

Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne are two icons of hip-hop with years of combined experience between them. Lil Wayne helped launch Minaj's career over a decade ago. How did the two superstar rappers first meet?

by Chris Malone