gangsta1

noun, adjective

a gangster or gang member

Word Origin

from gangster

Usage Note

slang

gangsta2

noun, adjective

an aggressive type of rap music focused on gang culture and violence; also called gangster rap , gansta rap

Word Origin

from gangster

Usage Note

slang

Word Origin and History for gangsta

rap style generally credited to West Philly hip hop artist Schoolly D, but his "Gangster Boogie" (1984) used the conventional spelling; NWA was spelling it gangsta by 1988.

Slang definitions & phrases for gangsta

gangsta

modifier

Showing the rapacious, violent, and misogynistic values of street gangs: The group was one of the first to record ''gangsta'' lyrics, which focus on crime and violence

[1980s+; fr gangster]