N.W.A changed the world of rap and hip-hop forever. They created the Gangsta sub-genre of Rap music .The rap group produced some of the most explicit lyrics ever written in Rap history. The social commentary in their music on street life, gangster world, drugs and police brutality made them rap’s first superstars

N.W.A – Creators Of The Gangsta Rap Genre

“You got to realise that when I was 20 years old, I had a house, a Mercedes, a Corvette and a million dollars in the bank before I could buy alcohol legally” – Dr. Dre

The Gangsta World of Crompton

N.W.A changed the world of rap and hip-hop forever. They created the Gangsta sub-genre of Rap music .The rap group produced some of the most explicit lyrics ever written in Rap history. The social commentary in their music on street life, gangster world, drugs and police brutality made them rap’s first superstars and one of the most critically acclaimed MCs ever. The group has sold over 10 million albums in their short career. The group can also be credited with spawning globally successful artists like Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.

Band History

The groups history goes back to Easy-E who used the money he made from selling drugs to start his own record label Ruthless Records in 1987 with Jerry Heller. The idea was to produce rap and hip hop music talking about the reality of street life in Crompton. Easy-E, a drug dealer himself started working with Jerry Heller who had managed other 80s styled rap groups that included Dr. Dre and ice Cube. He got them together and added MC Ren and DJ Yella.  The group released their first album “N.W.A with the Posse” in 1987to major critical acclaim. The album was basically Dr. Dre’s production featuring sampling of many artists. It features the single “Boyz in the Hood” is a cult classic and the roots of the underground Gangsta genre.

The Gangsta Unleashed

N.W.A started recording their follow-up “Straight Outta Crompton” which was released in 1987; produced by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella. It featured the songwriting craft of Ice Cube’s take on gangsta life.  The single “F*** the Police” brought them nationwide fame. The album peaked at No.37 on the US charts and has since sold over 2 million copies, despite being banned on several radio stations and with virtually no airplay or promotion.   The album was one of the first to get Parental Advisory label warning on the CD. A true masterpiece which has been hailed as one of the greatest rap albums ever recorded.

The End of N.W.A

In 1990 Ice Cube left the group citing financial irregularities especially since he wrote most of the songs. The remaining four released an EP “100 Miles and Running” in 1990. The lyrics featured several sardonic references to Ice Cube’s departure. The band released their last album “Niggaz4Life” which debut straight into No.1 on the US album charts. The title attracting censorship wrath as the word Nigga was banned. The album sold a million copies.

Dr. Dre left to join Death Row records and N.W.A folded. Prior to Easy-E’s Aids related death he was able to make peace with the rest of the band members.  

• Did You Know: An FBI assistant director send a letter to Ruthless Records warning them of advocating gang violence can lead to major issues.  

• Did You Know: Rolling Stone magazine has ranked them at No.83 on the Greatest Artist of all Time list

• Did You Know: A movie is being planned about the N.W.A in the same lines of other successful rap movies like 8 Mile and Notorious

• Unlimited Music Access
• Music File Sharing
• Country Based Radio Channels
• Easy, Fast and Safe!
• 100% Free!