N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton

Released in 1989

Ice-T was one of the pioneers of the gangster rap genre, offering dark tales about crime, gangs and the streets. While his work was sometimes alarming to suburban America, it in no way glorified the subject matter; in fact he was presenting the futility of setting down such a path.

N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton was the antithesis of the aforementioned artist's work, for the group consisting of Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, M.C. Ren, Ice Cube, Yella (and briefly, the Arabian Prince) offered an uncompromisingly vulgar and harsh representation of gang violence that didn't condemn it, but rather seemingly embraced it. Tracks like F**k The Police alarmed conservatives across America with its angry and hateful attitude towards law enforcement, making N.W.A. one of the most controversial rap groups ever.

Some of the album highlights are:

• Straight Outta Compton – The title track is an angry street anthem with an arresting beat and attitude.
• F**k The Police – While few would adopt the extreme nature of the words presented on this track, it does shed light on the adversarial relationship shared between cops and inner city gangs/youths.
• Dopeman – Not nearly as controversial as the aforementioned two tracks, perhaps, but still powerful for its dark depiction of drugs.

N.W.A. was quite likely the most influential gangster rap album ever. Not only did it launch solo careers of all its members (though Yella's and the Arabian Prince's weren't as successful as their peers'), it laid the foundation from which countless other gangster rap groups would arise.

While the gangster rap genre eventually became a joke due to the influx of would-be, soundalike thugs trying to profit off a winning formula, N.W.A.'s work stands apart as harsh, bold, defiant and passionate. Straight Outta Compton is an essential rap album for anyone interested in the roots of the gangster sub-genre.

Rating: 9 stars

Track List Straight Outta Compton F**k the Police Gangsta Gangsta If It Ain't Ruff Parental Discretion Iz Advised 8 Ball Something Like That Express Yourself Compton's in the House I Ain't Tha 1 Dopeman Quiet on tha Set Something 2 Dance 2

Additional Resources:

• N.W.A. and the Posse Review

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