Others came before them, but Ice-T, Eazy-E, and King Tee helped put Gangsta music in the consciousness of the mainstream. Previously, it was underground music, only for those in the know. Ice-T would amuse his friends with what were called Crip Rhymes, short raps detailing the life in the gang. These rhymes would later help form his hit “6 N’ The Mornin”. This song, along with Eazy’s “Boyz-N-The-Hood”, and Tee’s “Act A Fool”, painted a picture of excess, violence, and a certain hopelessness. The message of struggle was not new, but the delivery captured the imagination of White America, in whose minds the Civil Rights movement had long since achieved its objectives. Of course, any social change resulting from this renewed focus was miniscule. What else could be expected in the Reagan-Bush era?

These three songs follow a similar lyrical format. Told almost as long-form stories, they detail a day(s) in the life of someone from the neighborhood and in the lifestyle. Each rapper uses his personal experience, as well as blends fiction with fact. Common themes emerge across the songs: the car culture of California, weapons, drugs, and domestic violence. As Eazy says, there are those who “[know] nothin in life but to be legit”. He and Ice-T examine the potential consequences of this life in their songs: prison and death. King Tee does not dwell on these negative aspects, however, saying: “I feel like a gangster and I just don’t care…”.

Another similarity between these three songs is the production. At this point in the late 80s, the G-funk sound was still nascent and un-polished. As a result, the beats are more strongly influenced by the disco or electronic scenes which proliferated throughout Los Angeles at the time. As an example, elements of Dre’s previous electro act, World Class Wreckin’ Cru, can be heard on the Boyz-N-The-Hood backing track. This creates an interesting contrast: pioneering lyrical content over more familiar, of the time, beats.