Buzz
Image courtesy: Stu Rapley, Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
What makes a rap name iconic? For artists like Kanye West or Kendrick Lamar, their unique monikers speak for themselves—catchy, memorable, and brimming with nickname potential (hello, Yeezy!). But for others, like Clifford Smith (aka Method Man), a stage name adds that extra flair. Dive into the stories of how 12 legendary rappers crafted their unforgettable identities.
1. Jay Z // Born Shawn Carter
The rap icon and business tycoon owes his stage name to his Brooklyn roots. “Back in the day, I was known for being calm and collected, never causing a fuss,” he explained in an MTV interview. “The older guys in the neighborhood called me ‘Jazzy.’” To distance himself from the flashy, jheri curl-sporting crowd, he streamlined it: “I just kept the J and Z from Jazzy.”
2. Rick Ross // Born William Leonard Roberts II
The Miami rap sensation took inspiration from the infamous L.A. drug lord Freeway Rick Ross. (Interestingly, despite his lyrical claims of drug empire glory, Ross once worked as a corrections officer before his music career took off.) In 2010, the real Freeway Rick Ross, after serving 13 years of a 20-year sentence, sued Warner Bros. Records, Universal Music, and the rapper for $10 million, alleging unauthorized use of his name and persona. However, the judge dismissed the case, citing the lawsuit’s untimely filing. (Ross had been aware of the rapper’s use of his name since 2006 but waited until 2010 to take legal action.)
3. Waka Flocka Flame // Born Juaquin James Malphurs
Waka Flocka Flame’s stage name has a heartwarming backstory. As a child, “My cousin and I were big fans of [The Muppets],” the Atlanta rapper shared in 2010. His cousin nicknamed him “Waka,” inspired by Fozzie Bear’s signature phrase. Later, collaborator Gucci Mane gave it a fiery twist by adding “Flocka Flame.”
4. Snoop Dogg // Born Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr.
The West Coast legend’s name has a charming backstory. “Growing up in the ‘70s, my mom would always play the TV show Charlie Brown,” he recalled in 2009. “There was a character named Snoopy, and I adored him. My mom said I started resembling him because I watched him so much.” As for his temporary rebranding as Snoop Lion? During a 2012 visit to Jamaica, a Rastafarian priest declared, “No more. You are the light; you are the lion.” Who can question destiny?
5. Tupac // Born Lesane Parish Crooks
The iconic rapper was originally named Lesane Crooks, but his mother, Afeni Shakur, a Black Panther activist, changed it before his first birthday. She drew inspiration from Tupac Amaru II, an 18th-century Incan leader who fought against Spanish colonial rule in Peru.
6. Notorious B.I.G. // Born Christopher George Latore Wallace
The East Coast legend initially went by Biggie Smalls, a nod to Calvin Lockhart’s character in Sidney Poitier’s 1975 film Let’s Do It Again. However, after learning the name was already taken, he shifted focus to his larger-than-life persona, making Biggie Smalls an unofficial nickname.
7., 8., 9., 10., and 11. The Wu-Tang Clan
RZA (Robert Fitzgerald Diggs), the founder of Wu-Tang Clan, drew his name from the Five Percent Nation’s Supreme Alphabet. He revealed that the group’s name pays homage to their favorite kung-fu movie, 1983’s Shaolin and Wu Tang. “Wu-Tang represents the ultimate sword style,” he explained to NPR in 2013. “The tongue is as sharp as a sword, and our lyrics are unmatched—hence, we are the Wu-Tang Clan.” While GZA (Gary Grice) also found inspiration in the Five Percent Nation, other members like Ghostface Killah (Dennis Coles), Method Man (Clifford Smith), and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard (Russell Tyrone Jones) adopted names inspired by kung-fu characters. (ODB’s name comes from the alternate title of 1981’s An Old Kung Fu Master, Ol’ Dirty and the Bastard.)
12. Childish Gambino // Born Donald Glover
Glover’s rap persona owes its existence to the internet. During his sophomore year of college, the Community star entered his name into a Wu-Tang Clan name generator. While his friends laughed at their results, he realized, “This isn’t just a joke—it’s something significant,” he shared during a 2011 talk show. There’s speculation about which generator he used, as both now produce “Childish Gambino” when “Donald Glover” is entered. This suggests one creator retroactively updated their site to claim credit for the iconic name.
