What is Gangsta Rap? Is it a media creation or a legit hip hop genre. How did it get started, who are its pioneers, and which artists are now carrying the torch? There are the topics my guest Soren Baker tackles in his expansive book The History of Gangster Rap. Soren is a journalist who has spent his entire career covering hip hop. He was a lead editor at The Source and his articles can be found in such publications at The New York Times, The LA Times, The Chicago Tribune, XXL, Hip Hop DX, and many others. He is well respected in the rap community and has penned liner notes for 2Pac, Ice Cube, N.W.A, and Gang Starr.