Monday's stories: Rappers find 'Gangsta' sells

In the past two years, gangsta rap's popularity soared to levels it hadn't seen since N.W.A. helped invent the genre 15 years ago, but are the streets where today's hip-hoppers grow up really that much more dangerous than the rest of the country? Here is Day Two of Newsday's five-part series on hip hop.

Video

Ja Rule speaks

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Audio: Gangsta Rap Songs

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"Always On Time" by Ja Rule

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"Put It On Me" by Ja Rule

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"Mesmerize" by Ja Rule

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"In Da Club"

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Audio: Listen to Queens Artists

Born in the Bronx, hip hop became commercial in Queens. Following in the footsteps of Run-DMC, artists such as LL Cool J to 50 Cent and Ja Rule continue to offer up slinging beats and ear candy. Hear some of their songs.

October 11, 2004

Rappers find 'gangsta' sells

The statistics are clear. During the past decade, across America, the murder rate is down. The violent crime rate is down. Overall crime? Also down.

October 12, 2004

NYPD keeps tabs on rappers

Officially, the New York Police Department makes no special effort to keep tabs on rappers. Officially, the department has no binder of dossiers on the performers.

October 11, 2004