Kool G Rap

Kool G Rap
Kool G Rap performing in 2004
Kool G Rap performing in 2004
Background information
Birth nameNathaniel Thomas Wilson
Also known as
  • G Rap
  • Kool Genius of Rap
  • Giancana
Born (1968-07-20) July 20, 1968 (age 56)
New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
DiscographyKool G Rap discography
Years active1986–present
Labels
Formerly ofJuice Crew

Nathaniel Thomas Wilson (born July 20, 1968),[1] better known by his stage name Kool G Rap (or simply G Rap), is an American rapper. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MCs of all time,[2][3][4][5][1][6][7][8][9] and a pioneer of mafioso rap/street/hardcore content[4][9][10][11][12][13] and multisyllabic rhyming.[14] On his album The Giancana Story, he stated that the "G" in his name stands for "Giancana" (after the mobster Sam Giancana), but on other occasions he has stated that it stands for "Genius".[1][15]

He has also been cited as a major influence on some of hip-hop's most critically acclaimed figures, such as The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Eminem and Jay-Z, as well as many underground rappers.[8][16][17]

  1. ^ a b c Jason Birchmeier. Kool G Rap at AllMusic
  2. ^ Kool Moe Dee, 2003, There's A God on the Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs, Thunder's Mouth Press, p.225, 228.
  3. ^ Shapiro, Peter, 2005, The Rough Guide To Hip-Hop, 2nd Edition, Penguin, p. 213-214.
  4. ^ a b "The Greatest MCs of All Time". MTV. March 9, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  5. ^ John Bush. Kool G Rap – The Giancana Story at AllMusic
  6. ^ Alvin aqua Blanco and Bun B, UGK, Pimp C (March 16, 2009). "Reviews / Music : Top 5 Dead or Alive: Bun B". Allhiphop.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Reviews / Music : Top 5 Dead or Alive: Rah Digga Archived January 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ a b Alvin "Aqua" Blanco (January 22, 2009). "Reviews / Music : Top 5 Dead or Alive: RZA". Allhiphop.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Online excerpt from 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. "Kool G Rap: Biography : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2009.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ^ Cobb, William Jelani, 2007, To The Break of Dawn: A Freestyle On The Hip Hop Aesthetic, NYU Press, p. 59.
  11. ^ Hess, Mickey, 2007, Icons Of Hip Hop, Greenwood Publishing Group, p.57.
  12. ^ Kool Moe Dee, 2003, There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs, Thunder's Mouth Press, p.228.
  13. ^ Steve Huey. Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx at AllMusic
  14. ^ Shapiro, Peter, 2005, The Rough Guide To Hip-Hop, 2nd Edition, Penguin, p. 213.
  15. ^ "Kool G. Rap – Halftimeonline – Hip Hop Music & Culture". November 12, 2003. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  16. ^ Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. viii, 88, 324.
  17. ^ Arnold, Paul W (March 5, 2008). "Kool G Rap: These Are Our Heroes | Rappers Talk Hip Hop Beef & Old School Hip Hop". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2011.