Examines the history of gangster rap and the evolution of this revolutionary subgenre of American music. Includes interviews with rap legends, color photographs, maps, and charts.

Native son -- "Squeeze the trigger" -- Niggaz wit attitude -- The revolution gets televised -- Ice Cube : "A gangsta's fairytale" -- "Say hello to my little friends" : gangster rap meets Scarface and the Geto Boys -- Gangster rap is the name -- California dreamin' : the aftermath -- A doggy Dogg world -- Bangin on wax : there goes the neighborhood -- G-Funk meets mob music -- Death around the corner : the so-called East Coast/West Coast beef -- It ain't my fault : Master P and the no limit revolution -- Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg reignite, sending detractors "Up in Smoke" -- Your life's on the line -- Money turned boys into men -- Gangster rap at thirty.