and the Posse is a compilation album, re-releasing N.W.A and associated groups' underground rap songs from the Los Angeles area's rap scene on November 6, 1987. Dedicated to the memory of Eric (Eazy-E) Wright and the rap world created by NWA..keep it gangsta ya'll keep it gangsta. [30] Its deep bass thumps, audibly artificial, lend the now classic sound of rap's 1980s and 1990s landmarks, including Straight Outta Compton's precursors, like Run-DMC's launch of aggressive vocalization from 1983 to 1984, Eric B. Lacking him, an iconic group photo taken by Ithaka Darin Pappas on November 11, 1988, at Pappa's studio apartment in Los Angeles' Miracle Mile district, has been repeatedly republished in media,[67] including The Source's May 1989 cover, captioning, "California Rap Hits Nationwide!" There is no track list anywhere on the back cover & no inserts of any kind. Shared with you. For the song, see, A request that this article title be changed to, One of N.W.A's most well-known and controversial songs, The lead single and title track. 10 "From electro-rap to G-funk: A social history of rap music in Los Angeles and Compton, California", in Mickey Hess, ed.. Incidentally, this 1988 album is N.W.A's last album with contributions by Arabian Prince, already gone by its August release, and by Ice Cube, gone by 1990. Otherwise, each group member stands out through a solo rap, too. 1. [39] On the other hand, Cary Darling, in California's Orange County Register, while thinking that the lyrics make Ice-T "look like a Cub Scout", ultimately deems the album "curiously uninvolving", as it "lacks the insight and passion that put the best work by the likes of Boogie Down Productions, Ice-T and Public Enemy so far ahead of the field". [3][24][26] As this all sparked publicity that reinforced their aura,[3] the rappers would allude to such facts in later raps. N.W.A's Ice Cube and MC Ren along with Ruthless Records rapper The D.O.C. Not only does the cover of N.W.A's first album not look anything like the standard image of "The World's Most Dangerous Group," it's such an odd mix of … The 30 best album covers - ranked 10) NWA – Straight Outta Compton . N.W.A was formed in Compton, California in 1986 by Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, Arabian Prince and Ice Cube, with The D.O.C. [17] Dealing drugs, Wright had become acquainted with Dr. Dre and Arabian Prince, two friends, record producers, and recording artists hitting locally but denied royalties. [73], Sinéad O'Connor, then herself controversial, appraised in 1990 that "It's definitely the best rap record I've ever heard". 10 talking about this. 0 0. the low end is so solid and the highs smooth as silk without the digital crackle. N.W.A. Lyricist the D.O.C. The lyrics protest police brutality and racial profiling and the song was ranked number 425 on Rolling Stone ' s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time . [10], Reflecting in 2002, a Rolling Stone writer calls the album a "bombastic, cacophonous car ride through Los Angeles' burnt-out and ignored hoods". "[43] By 1991, while criticizing group members for allegedly carrying misogynist lyrics into real life, Newsweek staff incidentally comments that this album, nonetheless, "introduced some of the most grotesquely exciting music ever made". [58] That year, on March 27, Straight Outta Compton was certified double-platinum, two million copies sold. a ghostwriter in Ice Cube, who was from South Central Los Angeles,[3] Wright had Dre and Cube craft a song, "Boyz-n-the-Hood. [55], By contrast, N.W.A's unauthorized debut compilation album, N.W.A and the Posse, out since November 1987, reached gold certification in September 1994. No filters. What Does It Mean? [75] The next year, parodic music artist "Weird Al" Yankovic released a new album, Straight Outta Lynwood. 1280x800 Pink Floyd Album Covers Painted On Women's Backs - Painting Of Womens Backs. David Diallo, ch. The photographer was a … [3] That year, the album peaked at #9 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and at #37 on the popular albums chart, the Billboard 200. N.W.A was formed in Compton, California in 1986 by Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, Arabian Prince and Ice Cube, with The D.O.C. [76] In 2015, the biopic Straight Outta Compton was a hit film.[77]. [27] In any case, Slant magazine recalls "Straight Outta Compton as the sound of the West Coast firing on New York's Fort Sumpter in what would become '90s culture's biggest Uncivil War. N.W.A. "[17][16] In 1986, thus influenced,[20] Ice-T offered the track "6 in the Mornin'", which, seizing some of LA's attention from electro rap, reached gold sales as the inaugural anthem of a new rap subgenre later called "gangsta rap. [52] Time, in 2008, named it one of the 100 greatest albums of all time. But for all the gunshots they mix into their music, rappers rarely try to dramatize that reality" empathetically. [21] Upon recruiting from rap group C.I.A. "[48] The Source magazine placed the album 63rd among the 100 Best Rap Albums. Cancel Unsubscribe. [35] "Express Yourself", written by Cube and rapped by Dre, incidentally scorns weed smoking—already proclaimed by Cube in "Gangsta Gangsta" as his own, chronic practice—which allegedly causes brain damage, a threat to the song's optimistic agenda, liberal individuality. This coulda been a definitive release of this gangsta rap classic, but the omission of tracks crucial to the albums flow make it a huge … "[37] Steve Huey, writing for AllMusic, considered that "Straight Outta Compton's insistent claims of reality ring a little hollow today, since it hardly ever depicts consequences. The track "Fuck tha Police" drew an FBI agent's warning letter, which aided N.W.A's notoriety, N.W.A calling itself "the world's most dangerous group. Finesse Mitchell on Music's Role in Relationships and Rubbing Elbows With Prince and U2 at 'SNL' The group's first release was the compilation album N.W.A. No compression. [17], Yet on the global stage, N.W.A towered as gangsta rap's icons. [53] Vibe appraised it as one of the 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century. [1] Since the group's breakup a number of compilation albums have been released, including 1996's Greatest Hits which reached the top 50 of the Billboard 200. Dr. Dre dominates "Express Yourself". [3] Niggaz4Life: The Only Home Video was released in 1992, featuring three music videos and previously unreleased footage. Dre. [34] Reviewing in retrospect, Steve Huey, in AllMusic, deems the album mainly just "raising hell" while posturing, but finds that "it still sounds refreshingly uncalculated because of its irreverent, gonzo sense of humor, still unfortunately rare in hardcore rap". It was the cover art for "Straight Outta Compton," the pioneering debut album by N.W.A that revolutionized gangsta rap and redefined hip hop. [10] Their drum machine, used for kick drums, was the Roland TR-808, which was rendered obsolete upon its 1980 release by the Linn LM-1, but cost about $1,000 versus $5,000. The album peaked at #39 on Billboard magazine’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. ^ Kory Grow (August 8, 2018). "Gangsta Gangsta" depicts group outings to carouse with women while slurring unwilling women and assaulting men, whether confrontational troublemakers, innocent bystanders, or a driver who, fleeing the failed carjacking, gets shot at. Find N.W.A discography, albums and singles on AllMusic. : Efil4zaggin - The Only Home Video (1992)", "ARIA Albums: Disturbed Debuts At No 1 In Australia", "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40: 11 September 2015 - 17 September 2015", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=N.W.A_discography&oldid=1005381674, CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. "[47], Charlie Dick, rating the album two stars for Q magazine, contends, "In the wake of Public Enemy and KRS-One, it is amazing that something this lightweight could cause such a stir. [13] The next year, the Library of Congress enshrined Straight Outta Compton in the National Recording Registry. [10], First, the title track, smearing and menacing civilians and police, men and women, while women receive gruff sexual advances, too, even threatens to "smother your mother". [33] Newsweek wrote, "Hinting at gang roots, and selling themselves on those hints, they project a gangster mystique that pays no attention to where criminality begins and marketing lets off. "[10], Music journalist Greg Kot finds N.W.A. [19][22] It sounded similar to Schooly D's "P.S.K." The font used for both the group name and the album title on the cover is Mistral. Closing the album, "Something 2 Dance 2" is upbeat. "Fuck tha Police" is a protest song by American hip hop group N.W.A that appears on the 1988 album Straight Outta Compton as well as on the N.W.A's Greatest Hits compilation. [16][17] Until 1988, this scene, retaining more of hip hop's dance and party origin, prioritized the DJ, from a DJ crew,[18] playing, at a dance party, electro rap and "funk hop"[19]—akin to Afrika Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force offering, from New York, the 1982 hit "Planet Rock"[16]—whereas the East Coast, as in Run-DMC's breakout album of 1984, had moved to prioritizing the lyricist, the "MC". "[3] On the other hand, in 2005, comedian Chris Rock still ranked it the top rap album of all time. "[17][16], In 1986, Eric Wright, a Kelly Park Compton Crip, was forming in Compton an independent label, Ruthless Records. and MC Ren joining later. stylzation to the primary character on the cover The hard shell case that everything comes measures 9x9 inches This is perfect for any Biggie Smalls Fan Be on the lookout for more Pop! [3], The album's producers were Dr. Dre with DJ Yella and Arabian Prince. [17][24] As rap fans, even from afar, sought more from Compton and South Central,[10] local rappers, like MC Eiht of Compton's Most Wanted, met the call. [65], In 2004, the DigitaArts list 25 Best Albums Covers included Straight Outta Compton. Some interesting trivia to be found if you're into that sort of thing. Check out N.W.A. "[22] But once a Ruthless group signed from New York City rejected it, Wright, dubbed Eazy-E, himself rapped it, a local hit. [3][5] N.W.A's second and final album followed in 1991: Niggaz4Life, commonly referred to backwards as Efil4Zaggin,[6] The album's singles were "Appetite for Destruction" and "Alwayz into Somethin'", neither of which charted in the US. [59][60] N.W.A's next and final full-length album, Efil4zaggin or Niggaz4Life, released in late May 1991, went platinum just over two months later, in August 1991, yet in 2020 remains platinum,[61] whereas on November 11, 2015, Straight Outta Compton was certified triple-platinum, three million copies sold. The all-mouth-and-trousers content is backed up by likable drum machine twittering, minimal instrumentation and duffish production. It has a plain paper inner sleeve. Whereas Ren wrote his own lyrics, and The D.O.C. [3][4] Released by his label, Ruthless Records, on August 8, 1988,[1] the album was produced by N.W.A members Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince, with lyrics written by N.W.A members Ice Cube and MC Ren[5] along with Ruthless rapper The D.O.C. New from Funko Pop! In the 2014 film 22 Jump Street, the character Mrs. Dickson, whose husband is played by Ice Cube, says she's "straight outta Compton". "I Ain't tha 1" scorns spending money on women. The music on this record is without a hint of dynamics or melody. The one guest is The D.O.C., who raps the opening verse of "Parental Discretion iz Advised". wrote some lyrics, perhaps mainly Dre's lyrics, Cube wrote some of Dre's lyrics and nearly all of Eazy's lyrics. "—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not released in that territory. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. [50] Spin magazine, sorting the "100 Greatest Albums, 1985–2005", identified it 10th. [3], CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (, The Best of N.W.A: The Strength of Street Knowledge, Recording Industry Association of America, "N.W.A. this vinyl is flawless sounding, track after track sounding so real without digital confusion, and the cover, that is priceless! This is the cover … [3] Not merely depicting Compton's street violence, the lyrics repeatedly threaten to lead it by attacking peers and even police. [49] Television network VH1, in 2003, placed it 62nd. albums take iconic album covers and apply the signature Pop! albums by Funko! had to force himself to write “in character” for the group. "It's easier for them to imagine themselves pulling the trigger. [74] But, feeling that he had rushed its production, N.W.A's own Dr. Dre, in a 1993 interview, remarked, "To this day, I can't stand that album. "[43] Still, he anticipates, "This regressive nonsense will be passed off as social commentary by thrill-seekers all across the free world. The above is the cover artwork of their debut studio album, Straight Outta Compton, released in 1988. "[34] Even when depicting severe and unprovoked violence, the rappers cite their own stage names as its very perpetrators. to be inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but won't perform", "Documentary NWA & Eazy-E: Kings of Compton on DVD in January", "NWA & Eazy-E: The Kings of Compton coming to DVD", "Exposition – HIP-HOP : UN ÂGE D'OR 1970–1995 – Marseille", "Ice Cube and Dr Dre join NWA members in Brooklyn as they're admitted to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame", "Straight Outta Compton: Hit biopic raps up NWA story cleanly", "Tracks on Straight Outta Compton – N.W.A. The discography of N.W.A, an American hip hop group, consists of two studio albums, six compilation albums, one extended play (EP), eight singles, one video album and five music videos. and others, 'reality'-based violence". 's sounds "fuller and funkier" than Public Enemy's, and the lyrics just as "unforgiving". Six guys stare down toward the ground, one pointing a handgun right at the viewer. [7] Dr. Dre left N.W.A the same year, at which point the group had essentially disbanded. Six guys stare down toward the ground, one pointing a handgun right at the viewer. All songs were produced by Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince. [13], N.W.A's album best selling, Straight Outta Compton, released in August 1988, attained gold certification, half a million copies sold, on April 13, 1989. Features aggressive lyricism. "[3][6][7], In July 1989, despite its scarce radio play beyond the Los Angeles area,[4] Straight Outta Compton received gangsta rap's first platinum certification, one million copies sold by then. "[28], Talking of Straight Outta Compton, N.W.A's prime record producer, Dr. Dre, in a 1993 interview, recalls, "I threw that thing together in six weeks so we could have something to sell out of the trunk. [10] Still, even Eazy and Dre, alike Cube and Ren, each brings a distinct delivery and character, making N.W.A altogether stand out from imitators. The 30 best album covers - ranked 10) NWA – Straight Outta Compton . Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by rap group N.W.A, which, led by Eazy-E, formed in Los Angeles County's City of Compton in early 1987. [3] In 2016, it became the first rap album inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Following the release of the compilation N.W.A. Both, however, are on N.W.A's 1987 compilation album. Rolling Stone, LLC. Priority/Ruthless", "N.W.A: Straight Outta Compton / Efil4zaggin", "The Source's Top 100 Rap Albums of All Time", "Spin 20th Anniversary Special, July 2005", Recording Industry Association of America, "Hip Hop album sales: Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar & N.W.A", "N.W.A takes over charts, gets first Top 40 Hit on Hot 100", Chart history: 'Straight Outta Compton', N.W.A", "Former N.W.A manager disappointed with biopic", "Two ’90s-era hip hop films revive L.A.'s rap glory days", "N.W.A. This article is about the N.W.A album. In the song, Schoolly D raps, "Park Side Killers is making that green / One by one, I'm knocking 'em out" [Tom Moon, "The first great gangsta rap record: Robin D. G. Kelley, "Kickin' reality, kickin' ballistics: Gangsta rap and postindustrial Los Angeles", in William Eric Perkins, ed.. Jason Birchmeier, "Compton's Most Wanted", in Chris Woodstra, John Bush & Stephen Thomas Erlewine, eds.. George Ciccariello-Maher, "The 808", in Mickey Hess, ed.. David Mills, "Rap's hostile fringe: From N.W.A. [54] In 2012, Slant listed it 18th among the "Best Albums of the 1980s". and the Posse. [66] By the album's release, Arabian Prince, on the cover, had left N.W.A. View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1988 Vinyl release of "Straight Outta Compton" on Discogs. Considering the album's force, its production may seem surprisingly spare, mostly sampled horn blasts, some funk guitar riffs, sampled vocals, and turntable scratches atop a drum machine. 'Straight Outta Compton.' [57] The group's 100 Miles and Runnin' EP, which took two years to produce and was released in August 1990, went platinum in September 1992. single, and its tempo was too slow to dance to. [3] Indicting N.W.A as its leading example, journalist David Mills, in 1990, acknowledges, "The hard-core street rappers defend their violent lyrics as a reflection of 'reality'. View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1988 CD release of "Straight Outta Compton" on Discogs. [47] Offering the lowest possible rating, Clark adds, "The cumulative effect is like listening to an endless fight next door. [1] The remaining members released the EP 100 Miles and Runnin' in 1990, which reached the top ten of the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and has since been certified platinum by the RIAA. “I didn’t come from the … and the Posse in 1987, which also featured songs by The Fila Fresh Crew, Rappinstine and Ron-De-Vu. and MC Ren joining later. [55], Approaching the August 2015 release of the film Straight Outta Compton, the album reentered the Billboard 200 at number #173. The base album is fantastic. [46] In the Hi-Fi News & Record Review, Peter Clarke, going further, calls the lyrics "unrelenting in their unpleasantness". [3][4] "Straight Outta Compton", "Gangsta Gangsta" and "Express Yourself" were released as singles from the album, all of which registered on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Rap Critic: NWA & the Posse Album Cover (Extra from NWA Special) Rap Critic. [11] And in 2015, after an album reissue on red cassettes of limited edition,[12] theater release of the biographical film Straight Outta Compton reinvigorated sales of the album, which by year's end was certified 3x Multi-Platinum. The album’s most notorious offering, ‘F__ck Tha Police’, may have shaken tender sensibilities and drawn condemnation from the FBI, but NWA reckoned it was the voice of their ’hood. The classic 'NWA And The Posse' record cover photo that was used twice; once for the Panic Zone 12" and also for the album is the subject of this short video that looks at how, why and when it all came about. Wayne Marshall, "Kool Herc," in Mickey Hess, ed.. David Diallo, "Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg", in Mickey Hess, ed.. [10], In 1994, British magazine Hip Hop Connection, placing the album third among rap's best albums, adds, "Straight Outta Compton sounded so exciting, insignificant details such as realism and integrity could be overlooked. [3], Ice Cube left N.W.A in 1989 due to ongoing financial disagreements. 640x640 Nwa Album Cover, Original By Valerie Vescovi, Art - Nwa Painting. This page was last edited on 7 February 2021, at 11:18. [51], The first rap album ever to gain five stars from Rolling Stone at initial review, it placed 70th among the magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in its 2020 revised list. Ice Cube's is "I Ain't tha 1". wrote the lyrics, including those rapped by Eazy-E and by Dr. Album Sales: 3,000,000 First Release Date: August 1988 The debut album by N.W.A, "Straight Outta Compton" is now best remembered as the pioneering record of gangsta rap; with its ever-present profanity and violent lyrics, it helped to give birth to this then-new sub-genre of hip hop. 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