Top list of rappers in gangs (allegedly): Hip hop artists who have faced allegations
Many rappers claim to have links with thugs, gangsters, and criminals in their lyrics. Some have been in court for cases involving illegal substances, gun smuggling, street fights, and even shootings. Others claim they lived a criminal life but have never been arrested or charged. Discover rappers in gangs, allegedly, today.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
It is common to hear rappers using lyrics that imply they are or were living the gang life. Some were officially initiated into crime, while others have criminal records. The majority are merely affiliated with these groups. Is your favourite hip-hop artist one of the alleged rappers in gangs?
Overview of rappers in gangs (allegedly)
Rapper | Alleged gang |
Lil Wayne | The Bloods |
Cardi B | The Bloods |
Chris Brown | The Bloods |
Snoop Dogg | The Crips |
B-Real | The Bloods |
Birdman | The Bloods |
Cormega | The Bloods and The Crips |
Sen Dog | The Bloods |
Cam'ron | The Bloods |
The Game | The Bloods |
Rappers in gangs (allegedly): top list
Rarely do musicians get convicted or serve prison terms for claiming to be part of criminal groups. Interestingly, many famous rappers in gangs (allegedly) grew up in crime-infested regions, and a few have survived gunshots.
The Bloods and Crips are gangs that many rappers are rumoured to be members of. These gangs have been operating in the United States of America since the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Since their formation, the rivals have reportedly amassed more than 50,000 associated gang members. Here is a list of rappers that are Bloods and Crips (allegedly).
1. Lil Wayne - The Bloods
- Full name: Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.
- Born: 27 September 1982
- Age: 41 years (as of May 2024)
- Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
According to Hiphopdx, Lil Wayne is reportedly one of the Blood rappers. His songs 5 Star, Blood Walk, I'm Blooded, and Soo Woo are believed to be about the group. Rapper Daylyt said this about Wayne's gang origin during an interview with VladTV.
Wayne's not out here doing anything. He's just a Blood.
He also commented on Lil Wayne's record label:
Cash Money, everybody's cool, nobody's Bloodin' and Crippin' ... Randomly, Cash Money signs Mack 10. Mack 10's a Blood, and now everybody from Cash Money's Bloods.
2. Cardi B - The Bloods
- Full name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar Cephus
- Born: 11 October 1992
- Age: 31 years (as of May 2024)
- Birthplace: Washington Heights, New York, United States
Cardi B is also on the list of rappers in gangs. Interestingly, she brought up the allegations herself on social media. In 2017, Cardi B shared a tweet on X stating she was a member of the Bloods gang.
... been a big-time Blood since I was 16...is you talking bout ..ya just never peep it.
3. Chris Brown - The Bloods
- Full name: Christopher Maurice Brown
- Born: 5 May 1989
- Age: 35 years (as of May 2024)
- Birthplace: Tappahannock, Virginia, United States
Chris Brown is among the world's most influential R&B artists with a talent in rap. In 2014, Hot New Hip-hop published that an LA Bloods member had said that Brown was not an official member of the Bloods but he was affiliated enough to use the gang's signs.
It was also alleged that Chris Brown offered several gang members jobs and shot some of his music videos in their neighbourhood. In 2022, Akon claimed that Brown's affiliations with The Bloods stopped him from becoming the next Michael Jackson.
4. Snoop Dogg - The Crips
- Full name: Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.
- Born: 20 October 1971
- Age: 52 years (as of May 2024)
- Birthplace: Long Beach, California, United States
Snoop Dogg's name seldom misses the list of names of rappers in gangs. He is mainly associated with the Crips. Snoop has been active in the American music industry since 1990.
The Crips wear blue. In 2022, Snoop performed during the Super Bowl Halftime Show in a blue outfit. Showbiz CheatSheet reported that people believed that his blue outfit was either a shout-out to the gang or an expression of love and honour for the Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl winner.
5. B-Real - The Bloods
- Full name: Louis Mario Freese
- Born: 2 June 1970
- Age: 53 years (as of May 2024)
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
B-Real is one of the two lead rappers in the Cypress Hill hip-hop group. LA Times reported that the rapper left home and quit school because of his gang involvement. He allegedly adopted a dangerous lifestyle and was once ranked among the most dangerous rappers.
For years, B-Real was believed to be a member of The Bloods. Kerrangi reported that he left The Bloods after being shot in 1988.
6. Birdman - The Bloods
- Full name: Bryan Christopher Williams
- Born: 15 February 1969
- Age: 55 years (as of May 2024)
- Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
American rapper and Cash Money Records CEO Birdman is among the wealthiest record executives. He has been a member of various hip-hop bands, including the Big Tymers, Cash Money Millionaires, and Rich Gang.
According to Ledger Enquirer, various authorities claimed that Lil Wayne and Birdman were affiliated with the Bloods. The allegations started after a shooting spawned by a rivalry between the two artists in 2018.
7. Cormega - The Bloods & The Crips
- Full name: Cory McKay
- Born: 26 April 1970
- Age: 54 years (as of May 2024)
- Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
American star Cormega has been active in the music industry since 1989. He has worked under several music labels, including Aura, Legal Hustle, Infamous, and Def Jam.
In October 1997, Daily News reported that Cormega said that things would be a lot better for The Bloods on Rikers Island if only they spent their days reading Chairman Mao.
The article further stated that Cormega bragged about his talent for hiding razor blades in a body cavity. The rapper was quoted saying the words below that appeared to support gang crime.
Tell all the generals and up-and-coming generals I said to get a book that is called ‘Selected Military Writings of Mao Tse-Tung. I [feel] as if every up-&-coming ghetto star should get a copy of this book.
8. Sen Dog - The Bloods
- Full name: Senen Reyes
- Born: 20 November 1965
- Age: 58 years (as of May 2024)
- Birthplace: Pinar del Río, Cuba
Rapper Sen Dog is one of the co-founders of the Cypress Hill rap group members and a lead vocalist for a heavy metal band called the Powerflo. Sen Dog left Cuba with his parents at eight.
His family settled in Miami at a refugee apartment called Casa Libertad. He revealed he was a Bloods member together with B-Real in the 1980s before music turned his life around.
The rapper talked to the Miami New Times and had the following to say about his past life as a gang member.
The street life surrounding the fun of club nights was truly dangerous, though. I was involved in gangs for a good long time in my youth. And one particular night, I was with some homies that I used to bang with. We were walkin' down the street and we were on a thin line between Blood and Crip neighbourhoods.
9. Cam'ron - The Bloods
- Full name: Cameron Ezike Giles
- Born: 4 February 1976
- Age: 48 years (as of May 2024)
- Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
American actor and rapper Cam'ron is among the world's most famous rappers who are in gangs. Rap Basement reported that he is a leader in the Bronx's Bloods gang.
The musician was a victim of a failed carjacking on 23 October 2005 in Washington DC. He drove to Howard University Hospital in his Lambo after being shot thrice.
10. The Game - The Bloods
- Full name: Jayceon Terrell Taylor
- Born: 29 November 1979
- Age: 44 years (as of May 2024)
- Birthplace: Compton, California, United States
The rapper grew up in a Crips gang neighbourhood in Compton. His father was a Nutty Block Crip, and his mother was a Hoover Crippelette.
The Game was put in foster care at seven and attended Compton High School, where most students were Crips associates. Many find it odd that he is reportedly a member of The Bloods and not The Crips.
Which rappers belong to gangs?
Renowned rappers who are alleged to be members of gangs include Lil Wayne, Cardi B, Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg, B-Real, Birdman, Cormega, Sen Dog, The Game, and Cam'ron.
Who are the top 10 most dangerous rappers?
This list of dangerous rappers is strictly based on those with a criminal history. Some may have reformed, while others are yet to. They include Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Cassidy, Tupac Shakur, Fat Joe, Chief Keef, Lil Kim, Meek Mill, T.I., and Bobby Shmurda.
Who is the most gangster rapper?
The list of gangster rappers includes the likes of Tupac Shakur, Ice T, Snoop Dogg, DMX, 50 Cent, and N.W.A.
Who is the most feared rapper?
The most feared rappers in the world include Tupac, Bigge, Eminem, Nas, Rakim, Jay-Z, Andre 3000, and Ice Cube.
Which rappers are Crips?
The main rappers who are allegedly members of The Crips are Snoop Dogg and Cormega.
What gangs are rappers in?
Most rappers in America were or are reportedly members of the Bloods and the Crips gangs.
What rappers are in The Bloods?
American rappers that allegedly have links with the Bloods gang are Lil Wayne, Cardi B, Chris Brown, B-Real, Birdman, Sen Dog, Cam'ron, and The Game.
The list of rappers in gangs (allegedly) features some of the top rappers globally. Some have directly or indirectly opened up about their association with the gangs, while others are rumoured to be members.
DISCLAIMER: The information presented is based on allegations and this publication does not endorse or verify these claims. This article is intended for general informational purposes only. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
Briefly.co.za listed the world's fastest rappers who have achieved insane speeds after practising for years. These artists incorporate different elements from other genres to make their music unique.
Eminem is one of the fastest rappers worldwide. Some fans agree, while others disagree with those who claim new artists have given him stiff competition in the past decade.
Source: Briefly News
Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 5 years of experience writing articles, researching, editing, and proofreading. She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019. The writer completed a Google News Initiate Course. She covers bios, marketing & finance, tech, fashion & beauty, recipes, movies & gaming reviews, culture & travel. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
Salma Rashid Salma Rashid is a journalist with over three years experience in the digital world space. She holds a Degree in Purchasing and Procurement Management from Mount Kenya University. Salma has been writing for Briefly since 2019 and has grown to become a specialist at creating stimulating blog posts. Email: salmarashidabdul@gmail.com