Today In Music History

Gangsta Rap Group, N.W.A Releases Their Debut Album, “Straight Outta Comptom”

August 8, 2023
Janice P
Share Story To Social Media

On this day, August 8, 1988, rap group N.W.A released their debut album, Straight Outta Compton on Ruthless Records.

N.W.A was a pioneering rap group from Compton, California. The group is widely regarded as one of the most influential and controversial acts in the history of hip-hop. N.W.A played a huge role in shaping the gangsta rap genre and addressing social and political issues through their music.

The original members of N.W.A included:

  1. Eazy-E (Eric Wright): Eazy-E was a co-founder of the group and also the owner of Ruthless Records, the label that released N.W.A’s music.
  2. Dr. Dre (Andre Young): Dr. Dre was a key member of N.W.A and is known for his production skills. He is now one of the most successful and influential producers in the music industry.
  3. Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson Sr.): Ice Cube was one of the group’s primary lyricists and is known for his aggressive and socially conscious rhymes. He left the group due to contract disputes and pursued a successful solo career. Ice Cube later got into acting and has starred in several movies over the years. He is also the founder of the BIG 3 pro basketball league
  4. MC Ren (Lorenzo Patterson): MC Ren contributed to the group’s lyrics and was known for his smooth delivery. He continued to release music after N.W.A disbanded.
  5. DJ Yella (Antoine Carraby): DJ Yella was the group’s DJ and also contributed to production. He later continued his involvement in music production.
  6. Arabian Prince aka Professor X (Kim Nazel) is also a founding member of N.W.A. He was not only a rapper but a record producer and DJ too.

N.W.A’s music was characterized by its raw and explicit content, discussing themes such as police brutality, street life, and socio-economic struggles. One of their most famous songs, “Straight Outta Compton,” became an anthem for the group and the emerging West Coast hip-hop scene.

The group faced controversy due to their explicit lyrics and messages, leading to censorship and backlash from various quarters. However, their impact on hip-hop and popular culture cannot be denied.