nigga, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

nigga n.

also niga

[nigger n.¹ (1); the sp. is now exclusive to the world of gangsta adj. rap where the SE sfx -er is transposed to -a, a foreshortening that is regularly found in black sl. as a means of intensifying a term (cf. player n. (2)/playa n.) and is thus used in a non-derog. way]

1. (US black) a black person; thus pl. niggaz.

[1886		Uncle Daniel’s Story of ‘Tom’ Anderson 85: ‘Whar you goin’, nigga?’ [...] Dat’s what ‘Sesh’ all call us – ‘niggas’].
[1889		B. Mitford Fire Trumpet II 273: You dam Hottentot nigga!].
1968		N. Heard Howard Street 22: Kill that nigga, baby, kill ’im!
1972		Milner & Milner Black Players 102: Now, if it develops into anything else after that, it’s the weakness on the nigga’s part for letting that happen.
1983		N. Heard House of Slammers 4: The nigga knew he had to wait. [Ibid.] 14: I love that nigga’s last year’s drawers.
1987		Ice-T ‘Six in the Morning’ 🎵 Niga didn’t know what happened / Didn’t have time to ask.
1993		Snoop Doggy Dogg ‘What’s My Name?’ 🎵 Cuz I never hesitate to put a nigga on his back.
1999		Guardian Rev. 2 July 5: In Belly, niggaz get to kill each other in amoral chaos.
2000		Guardian Guide 1–6 Jan. 18: Cold-chillin’ with his niggaz in the ’hood.
2002		50 Cent ‘Wanksta’ 🎵 Nigga, you play with my paper, you gon meet my baretta.
2007		Skins ser.1 ep.3 [TV script] Don’t be calling our sister no waste gash, nigga.
2010		A. Steinberg Running the Books 6: Inmates exchange intrixcate handshakes and formal titles: OG, young G, boo, bro, baby boy, brutha, dude, cuz, dawg, P, G, daddy, pimpin’, nigga, man, thug thizzle, my boy, my man, homie.
2021		S.A. Crosby Razorblade Tears 32: ‘[Y]ou thought you’d [...] get the big, scary-ass Black nigga to go kill some people for you?’.

2. (US campus) a close friend, only used among exclusively white or black groups.

2014

C. Eble (ed.) UNC-CH Campus Sl. Spring 2014 10: NIGGA — close friend. X: ‘So you trust him?’ Y: ‘Yeah. He’s my nigga.’ Not used in inter-racial groups.

In derivatives

niggalicious (adj.) [-licious sfx]

(US black) of a black woman, heavily built.

2000

Ebonics Primer at www.dolemite.com 🌐 niggalicous Definition: a black women with an huge ass that one could mistake for a biscuit. Example: Damn foo, that bag ho’s ass be niggalicous I gots to get my teeth on it.

In compounds

nigga beater (n.) [adopted from white terms such as nigger knocker under nigger n.¹; nigger stick under nigger n.¹ etc.]

(US black) any blunt instrument.

2000

Ebonics Primer at www.dolemite.com 🌐 nigga beater Definition: any blunt instrument (ie. lead pipes, Loiusville Sluggers, Fists) Example: Stanky Bitch, betta’ recognize bego’ I use my Nigga Beat’a on you! That goes fo’ you too sorry-ass muthafucka.

nigga chops (n.) [chops n.¹ (1)]

(US black) a fellow black person.

2000

Ebonics Primer at www.dolemite.com 🌐 nigga chops Definition: a fellow negro; friend Example: Yo, nigga chops, get yo bitch ass ova here before I busta cap in yo ass.

nigga town (n.)

see niggertown n.

In exclamations

nigga please!

(US black) an excl. of disbelief, dismissal.

2000

Ebonics Primer at www.dolemite.com 🌐 nigga please! Definition: Exclamation used to show disbelief or skepticism. Example: Creeper: ‘Ain’t go no money to pay you, call the police you thinkum jivin’!’ Clerk: ‘Nigger please!’.