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A gangster is a professional member of a crime organization, for example a gang or mafia.

Gangsters are organised criminals who engage in mob-like activity or enterprise. Members of the mafia or similar organizations are usually referred to as mobsters.

Business interests

Gangsters typically run their operations as businesses insofar as they offer a product or service, albeit an illegal one. For example during the Prohibition era in the United States, gangsters effectively monopolized the alcohol trade. In the 1950s, they did the same to gambling. They also often control trade in narcotics and engage in pimping.

However, gangsters engage in extortion and the use of intimidation and bribery to wield influence over labor unions. Gangsters are also known for attempting to manipulate the outcome of civil institutions, such as court cases and political elections through bribery and intimidation.

Mobsters are present-day members of a mafia or mafia-like organization. Gangsters are members of a modern-day street gang.

Cultural impact

Today an ebonics form of the word, "gangsta", has become associated with gangsta rap. This genre's lyrics are often based on living gang-related lifestyles, and can be portrayed in either a realistic, gritty way, or in a cartoonish way. Common street gangster members also call themselves "gangsters" or "G". Being "Gangsta" can also be synonymous for being "willing to do whatever it takes to get something done", or being "ruthless" or "cut-throat".

In America

Most gangsters in America were present in the late 19th and throughout the 20th centuries. Due to America's multi-racial culture, there are large varieties of gangs. Generally, the most identifiable gang in America is one which originated from the island of Sicily off the southern tip of Italy. La Cosa Nostra, or Mafia, is composed primarily of Italian-Americans, and has had a major cultural impact in the United States, especially in Chicago and New York, where it is still the most powerful group of organized crime figures.

The Mafia came to America in a pre-WWII 20th century America and thrived due to the Prohibition period and with its hands in the illegal alcohol trade. It was during this time that the Italian Mafia struggled with the already established Irish-American criminal organizations for control of the American criminal trade.

During WWII, many mobsters (also called Mafiosos) in Italy came to America to escape Mussolini's fascist regime.

gangsta

In modern-day America, especially among the black communities, a gangsta refers to a friend or associate in African American Vernacular English, especially in reference to a person with a reputable street credability. Such individuals are often referred to as a "G" like ste the lyrical he hu is no wannabe This may have been popularized by a number of successful rap artists who used the letter as part of their monikers, beginning in 1979 with the Master Gee of the Sugar Hill Gang.

There are different ranks for "G". There is, Young G, G, Ol' G, Triple Ol' G. To obtain a higher rank you need to increase your street cred. To increase street cred one must be involved in numerous criminal activites.