Prominent artists such as the late Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube started using the sign as a way to affirm their allegiance to the West Coast and represent their gangster way of life.

Jun 6, 2023 · Rappers holding up four fingers has multiple meanings in hip-hop culture. It can symbolize “West Side” to pay tribute to west coast wrappers 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr.Dre, while it’s also used as a gang sign or a warning that someone is in danger.

Aug 4, 2015 · Tupac Shakur popularized the symbol with photos and lyrics about the Westside. Artist JR painted a four-story tall Westside sign on the east wall of the historic Bristol Apartments in Los Angeles in 2011 after an extensive renovation of the 1906 building.

Apr 4, 2024 · One of the most recognizable hand signs in hip hop is the “West Side” sign, made famous by rappers like Ice Cube and Tupac Shakur. This gesture, formed by extending the index and little fingers while keeping the middle and ring fingers down, originated from the …

Jan 16, 2025 · The four-finger salute is not merely a casual display; it holds a multifaceted significance within the genre. Primarily, it is recognized as a tribute to the West Coast rap scene, famously home to artists like Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre, who have often been associated with the symbol.

Sep 1, 2023 · As an influential rapper in the 1990s, Tupac Shakur was known to incorporate various hand gestures and signs associated with West Coast gangs. These included finger movements representing street affiliations like the Crips or Bloods.

Everyone where I’m from had known this hand signal to represent Westside City Crips for years before that as well.

Nov 17, 2024 · 2Pac’s logo is nostalgic and casual. The emblem brings back memories of an untimely departed musician. The elements of the mark convey a confident and strong voice in support of African Americans, who continue to delight fans with new hits even through the veil of the spiritual world.

Sep 7, 2023 · The ‘ring finger down’ hand sign has become a widely recognized gang sign, sparking curiosity and debate about its origins and meaning. With a complex history intertwined with prison culture, neighborhood crews, and rap music, this seemingly simple hand gesture carries layers of coded messages.

Aug 4, 2023 · Owing to rap music’s exponential rise in popularity from coastal legends like N.W.A., Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur, these artists’ affiliation with West Coast gangs through lyrics and associated hand signs propelled its nationwide recognition.