N.W.A
Compton crew that put gangsta rap on the map with Straight Outta Compton and launched Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Eazy-E.
Who are N.W.A?
N.W.A was a hip-hop group from Compton, California, formed in the late 1980s by Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella.
Known for
Their 1988 debut Straight Outta Compton and the protest track "Fuck tha Police" made them one of the most controversial groups in music history. In 2016 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Style
Raw street reporting over hard, funk-sampling beats by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella. Every member brought a different voice: Ice Cube the writer, Eazy-E the attitude, MC Ren the hardcore delivery.
Impact
N.W.A brought West Coast gangsta rap to a mainstream audience and opened the door for Death Row, The Chronic and the solo careers of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Eazy-E.
Influences
- Public Enemy
- Ice-T
- Schoolly D
