Yo! I need to create a 'Street Name' for myself. What are the Rulz?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Don’t ask why (puh-leeeze don’t ask why), but I need to create a ‘Street Name’ for myself in the style of hip-hop artists and rappers.

Are there rules involved – a ‘code’ of naming, if you will – that rappers follow to create a nickname? Or is it pretty much a call-yourself-whatever-sounds-good-at-the-time kind of thing?

Word!
DJ Lil’ Biggie-Cent Puffy Snoop Ice shallora

2

Here’s one way.

3

Chocolate Steam…inspired by Vanilla Ice.

4

If you’re seriously asking, then yes, the names mean something. Your own example:

DJ = the guy who creates the beats, lays down the tracks, what-have-you. as opposed to the MC
Lil’ = usually the remains of a childhood nickname, referencing the fact that there was someone older/bigger than you with your name already
Biggie = one of Christopher G. Wallace’s stage names, because he was a big guy
Cent = 50 Cent says his stage name stands for change (it’s a pun, son), but he also named himself after a notorious gangsta from Fort Greene.
Puffy = he says it was a childhood nickname, because he would “huff and puff” when he was mad
Snoop = his mom said he looked like Snoopy
Ice = drug reference (though it could also be a reference to being able to afford plenty of diamonds, I guess)

So, did you have a childhood nickname? Are you the DJ or the MC? Do you want to ride someone’s coattails by calling yourself Lil’ Whoever (not a good plan, probably)?

5

I would focus on using the first letter of your first name, plus any of the following words:

Balla (as in Baller)
Ghetto
Money
Pimpin’
Rolla (as in Roller)
Daddy
Shorty
Biggie
…ad nauseum

So, for example, if your first name was “Adam,” you could combine A with Balla and be A-Balla.

6

Since this is concerned with rap/hip-hop, it’s probably better suited for CS than GQ.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator

7

2 Balla

Makes ho Holla!