Top list of rappers in gangs (allegedly): Hip hop artists who have faced allegations
Rap has been a path between cultures in the best tradition of popular music.
Rapper Jay-Z said the words above in 2010, reflecting on the significance of rap music in society. While the industry has contributed to many positives, some rappers have included thugs, gangsters, and criminals in their lyrics. Some have been in court for cases involving illegal substances, gun smuggling, street fights, and shootings. So, is your favourite hip-hop artist one of the alleged rappers in gangs?
Source: Original
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Rappers in gangs (allegedly): Top list
- Which rappers belong to gangs?
- Who are the top 10 most dangerous rappers?
- Who is the most gangster rapper?
- Who is the most feared rapper?
- Which rappers are Crips?
- What gangs are rappers in?
- What rappers are in The Bloods?
- Who was the biggest gangster rapper?
Key takeaways
- It is common to hear rappers using lyrics that imply they are or were living the gang life.
- Some were officially initiated into crime in their prime, while others have criminal records from their young age.
- Some rappers join gangs for security, to generate revenue, and to promote and market their music.
Rappers in gangs (allegedly): Top list
| 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 |
In today's world, many famous rappers in gangs (allegedly) are known to have grown 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). Note that this list is in no particular order.
10. Lil Wayne - The Bloods
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.
- Born: 27 September 1982
- Age: 42 years (as of February 2025)
- Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
According to a report by Hiphopdx, Lil Wayne's name is on the list of rappers in gangs, specifically the Bloods. The rapper's songs titled 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.
9. Cardi B - The Bloods
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar Cephus
- Born: 11 October 1992
- Age: 32 years (as of February 2025)
- Birthplace: Washington Heights, New York, United States
Cardi B's name is also featured among the names of rappers in gangs. She is among the best female rappers in the contemporary world.
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.
8. Chris Brown - The Bloods
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Christopher Maurice Brown
- Born: 5 May 1989
- Age: 35 years (as of February 2025)
- 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 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 while he is one of the rappers who are not gangsters, Brown's affiliations with The Bloods stopped him from becoming the next Michael Jackson.
7. Snoop Dogg - The Crips
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.
- Born: 20 October 1971
- Age: 53 years (as of February 2025)
- Birthplace: Long Beach, California, United States
Snoop Dogg's name seldom misses the list of rappers who are Crips, or alleged Crips. The talented rapper 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 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.
6. B-Real - The Bloods
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Louis Mario Freese
- Born: 2 June 1970
- Age: 54 years (as of February 2025)
- 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 rapper B-Real left home and quit school because of his gang involvement, meaning he is among the rappers who were real gangsters.
He allegedly adopted a dangerous lifestyle and was once ranked among the most feared rappers. For years, B-Real was believed to be a member of The Bloods. Kerrang reported that he left The Bloods after being shot in 1988.
5. Birdman - The Bloods
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Bryan Christopher Williams
- Born: 15 February 1969
- Age: 56 years (as of February 2025)
- 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.
4. Cormega - The Bloods & The Crips
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Cory McKay
- Born: 26 April 1970
- Age: 54 years (as of February 2025)
- 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.
3. Sen Dog - The Bloods
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Senen Reyes
- Born: 20 November 1965
- Age: 59 years (as of February 2025)
- Birthplace: Pinar del Río, Cuba
Rapper Sen Dog is among the famous rappers in gangs, allegedly. He 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. Rapper Sen Dog revealed he was a Bloods member together with B-Real in the 1980s before music turned his life around.
The famous American 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.
2. Cam'ron - The Bloods
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Cameron Ezike Giles
- Born: 4 February 1976
- Age: 49 years (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
American actor and rapper Cam'ron is among the world's most famous rappers 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.
1. The Game - The Bloods
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Jayceon Terrell Taylor
- Born: 29 November 1979
- Age: 45 years (as of February 2025)
- Birthplace: Compton, California, United States
The Game 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 the most 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 world's most feared rappers 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.
Who was the biggest gangster rapper?
Ice-T, Eazy-E, Schoolly D, and The Notorious B.I.G. are among the most famous gangster rappers.
The above list of rappers in gangs (allegedly) features some of the top rappers globally. Some have directly or indirectly revealed 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!
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