a word that has caused racial controversey over the last few decades and up to current times. It came from the derogatory term for African Amercans "nigger" yet it has a completely different definition than said term.

The contemporary meaning of nigga has two distinct definitions. One means friend, brother, etc. and is mostly used in greeting, such as "Yo wassup my nigga", in this case the word nigga is used in a friendly way.

On the other hand, nigga can also be an insult. Statements such as "F*ck you bitch ass nigga" and "That nigga stole my iPod" are used when one is angry, frustrated, etc. So it all depends on the mood: good mood and nigga means friend, bad mood and nigga means enemy.

Though nigga is used most commonly by African Americans, people of other races use the term as well, though SOME African Americans, not all, feel uncomfortable with others, Caucasians in particular, saying it. In today's society, a white guy can only say "wassup nigga" to a black guy if and only if the black guy is perfectly cool with it. Otherwise, verbal fights may occur.

Again, this word isn't to be confused with "nigger" which really means african piece of sh*t. There is absolutely no friendliness in that word. The only ones who say nigger these days are either people making fun of the word (ex: guys like Dave Chappelle) or racists who seriously need to get shot.
racist white guy: wassup nigger?
black guy: *beats up white guy*

cool white guy: wassup nigga?
black guy: nuthin my nigga u know me Im just chillin
(assuming both of them are friends)
by JT the man January 2, 2008
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term of endearment from one black man to another. sometimes not taken offensively until the "er" is pronounced even if the person is white.
((in this example sally and Ja'mall are best friends. Sally is white))
Sally: Whuttup Nigger?
Ja'mall: Bitch it's nigga. Leave off the "er"
Sally: er!
Ja'mall: No. I don't call you cracker i call you crackaa.
by bee <3. May 6, 2008
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A close BLACK friend. If a white person uses it in the presence of a black person, he'll usually end up getting his ass kicked
Black Person 1: What up ma nigga?
Black Person 2: Not much playa, what's the word?

White Person 1: Whats up my nigga?
Black Person 2: What the fuck you just call me!!?
(White Person Runs)
by Chris Kern January 23, 2007
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from one black man to anothor meaning to say; homie, brotha..etc.
"wudup nigga"
by kAuZ October 7, 2003
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Slang term for homie, friend, buddy, etc., used primarily by African-Americans but has spread to other races as well;
"'Sup my nigga?" "How's it hanging my nigga?" "Yo, nigga wassup?"
by Jose M. August 8, 2005
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1. a black person
2. a man
3. a homie
1. white people be straight hatin on niggas(black people)
2. there were no bitches, just a bunch of niggas (all male races)
3. you my nigga! (all races and genders)
by miKKi da downassbitch February 2, 2009
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Nigga is a word which evolved from the derogative term "nigger" used by slave master to make mock of mental ability of black slave. Moreover, Tupac defined the distinction between the two with some elements of dishounesty - He said:
"NIGGER- a black man with a slavery chain around his neck. NIGGA- a black man with a gold chain on his neck."

The TRUTH, not the FACT, of the matter is that:
-'Nigger'is a black man with iron chain around his neck deprived of any means of education; symbolising 'physical' slavery.
-'Nigga' is a black man with 'million-dollars' gold chains on his neck living in street; symbolising mental slavery.
Louis X: Salaam brother!
Wallace X: Walaikum Salaam Brother.
Pimp C: Yo, Wazap ma niggaz!
Louis X: My dear brother, Pimp C, can I say a word?
Pimp C: Oh yeh!
Louis X: Thanks.
Louis X: Truely speaking, it is not in the the best interest of Black race in our effort to heal the injury that hundred years of slavery has inflicted in our conscience and sub-conscience to continue to make fun of that comatose that force us to be where we are today.
Wallace X: Teach, Brother!
Louis X: My brother, Pimp C, there is no race in this world that has suffered an inhuman brutality like we the black people of Nothern Hemisphere; Our mind, our culture, our religion, everything that signifies our pride and dignity as humans has been rubbed from us.
Wallace X: Teach!
Louis X: Brother, Pimp C, it makes stupid of us to stand in the midst of the children of whose forefathers enslaved our forefathers, treated them as subhuman, cursed them as "Niggers", meaning that they are mentally incapable, and then we 'uncosciously' call each other "Niggaz". If we were to go by the definition of MTV and other media outlets, when they say a "NIGGA", is a black man with a gold chain on his neck." Then the question is why do we see it as an insult when 'white' kids use it on us? If it is a symbol of pride, why don't we appreciate it rather fron at it. This is hypocracy!!! We got to be reasonable, Brother!
Wallace X: Yeh!
Louis X: Having ourselves in the projects; pimping, hustling, drug dealing, that doesn't mean that we are forever condenmed to live at the peripheral of advancement and civilisation. We have to be men who can face the challenges and reality, and say "NO", enought is enought.
Wallace X: Teach!!!!
Louis X: Certainly, living in projects whiles wearing million-dollars gold chains doesn't make sense.
Wallace X: Right on the spot!
Louis X: My dear brother, Pimp C, Bob Marley once said "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds". it is also said: "It is not too late to turn, and it is not too late to learn, Wake up man and try" We have to try. We have to regain our dignity and respect. We are not 'Niggaz'. We are a hard core 'Brothers'!
Pimp C: Yo, thus food for thought, men! I like you. You r a real brother. man!
Wallace X: Brothers, I think we can talk now...
by Sankore April 11, 2006
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