Draft:Gangsta Bitch Mentality
Gangsta Bitch Mentality | |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Ganksta Bytch Mentality, G.B.M |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1991–2023 |
| Labels | |
| Spinoffs | Gangsta Hoez |
| Members |
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Overview:
[edit]Gangsta Bitch Mentality, commonly abbreviated as GBM, was a female rap group associated with Ruthless Records, the label founded by Eazy-E. Emerging in the early 1990s, GBM was part of Eazy-E’s vision to diversify the gangster rap scene by incorporating the voices of tough, unapologetic women who embraced the gritty themes of the genre. The group, which represented hardcore, street-centric perspectives, aimed to provide a female counterpart to the male-dominated world of gangsta rap.
Formation and Role:
[edit]GBM was formed during a period when Eazy-E sought to expand Ruthless Records beyond the success of N.W.A. and his own solo career. Eazy-E envisioned the group as a way to showcase the perspective of women within the gangsta rap scene, presenting them as just as tough and streetwise as their male counterparts. The group was reportedly intended to reflect the same unapologetic, foul-mouthed, and aggressive style that had made Eazy-E and N.W.A. famous.
Musical Style:
[edit]GBM’s sound was heavily influenced by the G-funk era of West Coast rap, incorporating the funk-inspired beats, heavy basslines, and synthesizers that were staples of the genre. Lyrically, the group followed in the footsteps of their labelmates, with themes focused on street life, sex, and violence, often reclaiming agency through aggressive and confrontational lyrics. They were part of a broader movement of female artists in gangsta rap who pushed back against misogyny by adopting similar language and attitudes to their male peers.
Ruthless Records and the Female Presence:
[edit]Ruthless Records had previously seen some success with female rappers like J.J. Fad, whose song "Supersonic" achieved mainstream success, and Tairrie B., a white female rapper whose work charted on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles. However, unlike the more pop-leaning J.J. Fad, GBM was intended to stay true to the core of gangsta rap, focusing on a harder, rawer, and more explicit approach. Their music and attitude were meant to mirror that of Ruthless’ male artists, reinforcing the label’s identity as the home of uncompromising street rap, Julio G Shares Westside Radio Intro Track Featuring Unreleased Eazy-E Verse & MC Eiht.
Unreleased Music and Legacy:
[edit]While the group never released a full album, their presence was noted in several Ruthless Records projects, and they contributed to tracks like a collaboration with Eazy-E. However, much of their work remained unreleased or in the vaults, only occasionally surfacing in rare recordings or references by those involved with Ruthless. One of the most notable uses of their music was in a DJ Julio G radio show intro, which featured an unreleased track by GBM with Eazy-E.
Despite their limited commercial output, GBM remains a key part of the narrative of Ruthless Records during the post-N.W.A. era. Their existence points to Eazy-E’s ambition to continue pushing boundaries within gangsta rap, offering a platform for female voices to be just as bold and aggressive as their male counterparts. Although the group did not achieve widespread fame, they are remembered as part of the untold stories of Ruthless Records and Eazy-E's efforts to diversify the gangster rap scene.
Conclusion:
[edit]Gangsta Bitch Mentality was a reflection of Eazy-E’s desire to expand his label's influence by incorporating fierce female voices into the gangsta rap genre. While the group did not release a significant body of work, they remain an interesting chapter in the history of Ruthless Records, symbolizing the potential for women to participate in and shape the hardcore rap narrative of the early 90s. Their association with Eazy-E and Ruthless Records places them in the lineage of groundbreaking West Coast rap, even if much of their work remains unreleased or obscure.