Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US black) used to describe the hedonist, violent lifestyle as epitomized in the lyrics of ‘gangsta’ rappers.

1994		M. McAlary Good Cop Bad Cop 66: Chelo was living the ‘gangsta life’ years before the invention of rap music.
1999		Guardian Rev. 25 June 19: The B-word – pronounced ‘bee-yatch’, gangsta-style.
2002		Observer 10 Mar. 13: I’m not in no gangsta warfare with no one.
2002		‘Touré’ Portable Promised Land (ms.) 157: We Words (My Favorite Things) [...] That’s real. That’s nervous. That’s gangsta. That’s hype.
2005		L. Theroux Call of the Weird (2006) 200: Do you ever worry it could be too gangsta?
2008		Simon & Burns ‘–30–’ Wire ser. 5 ep. 10 [TV script] The truth is, I’m done with this gangsta shit. I’ve been there and done that.
2016		Guardian G2 2 Apr. 2/3: She was gangsta with her clothes.

2. implying the defying of rules.

2011

G. Hayward Corruption Officer [ebk] cap. 17: Keeping it gangsta and coming down to the staff kitchen to meet me, leaving their inmates unguarded and handing me the keys to my post.