1985–1988: Origins and early years Schoolly D and Ice-T. Philadelphia rapper Schoolly D is generally considered the first “gangsta rapper” or one of the first “gangsta rappers”, significantly influencing the more popular early gangsta rap originator, Ice-T.Ice-T was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1958.As a teenager, he moved to Los Angeles where he rose to prominence in the West Coast hip …