Straight Outta Compton
| Straight Outta Compton | |||||
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| Studio album by N.W.A | |||||
| Released | August 8, 1988 | ||||
| Recorded | 1988 Audio Achievements (Torrance, California) |
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| Genre | Gangsta rap Golden age hip hop |
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| Length | 60:27 (Original LP) 76:13 (2002 re-release) |
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| Label | Ruthless/Priority | ||||
| Producer | Eazy-E (exec.) Dr. Dre, DJ Yella | ||||
| Professional reviews | |||||
| N.W.A chronology | |||||
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| Alternate cover | |||||
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20th Anniversary Edition (2007)
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| Singles from Straight Outta Compton | |||||
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Straight Outta Compton is the second album by Compton, California-based gangsta rap group N.W.A, originally released in 1988 through group member Eazy-E's label, Ruthless Records. The production came mainly from Dr. Dre with DJ Yella giving co-production. The album is generally seen as the pioneering record of gangsta rap, with its ever-present profanity and violent lyrics, it helped to emerge the new sub-genre of hip hop. The album was a hip hop groundbreaker that went on to have an enormous impact on the evolution of gangsta rap.[1]
Straight Outta Compton redefined the direction of hip hop,[2] which resulted in lyricism concerning the "gangsta lifestyle" becoming the driving force with sales figures. It also helped to shift the power to the West Coast from the East Coast,[3] which had enjoyed a period of prominence in hip hop for most of the 1980s. It was later re-released on September 24, 2002 as a remastered edition with four bonus tracks. An extended version of the album was released on December 4, 2007, the 20th anniversary of the original album.[4]
Contents |
History
The album reached double platinum sales status, becoming the first album to reach platinum status with no airplay support and without any major tours.[1][5]
As the hip hop community worldwide received the album with a high note, the members of N.W.A became the top stars for the emerging new era of gangsta rap while popularizing the rap of Ice Cube. The album also helped to spawn many young MC's and gangsta rap groups from areas such as Compton, California and South Central Los Angeles, as many thought they had the same story to tell and the ability to pursue the career track that N.W.A had taken,[6] hence groups such as Compton's Most Wanted coming into fusion.[7]
Because of the recurring violent and sexual lyrics and profanity, often specifically directed at governmental organizations such as the LAPD, N.W.A always enjoyed a particular repudiation from U.S. Senators and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This situation persisted over the years with the group's visible head, Eazy-E. One of the reasons for this was the highly controversial track from the album, "Fuck tha Police", which resulted in the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service sending a letter to Ruthless Records informing the label of their displeasure with the song's message, and N.W.A were banned from performing at several venues.[8][5]
Music
Songs
The album's most controversial track, "Fuck tha Police", was partly responsible for the fame of N.W.A as the "World's Most Dangerous Group", and it did not appear in the album's censored version.[9] The song "Gangsta Gangsta" talks about the danger and violence in South Central and Compton. "Express Yourself" speaks of the ideas of free expression and the constraints placed on rappers by radio censorship. Every N.W.A member except DJ Yella recorded a solo song. Dr. Dre, who mostly produced more than performed, did a solo effort in the single "Express Yourself". Ice Cube performed on "I Ain't tha 1" and "A Bitch Iz a Bitch". MC Ren made his solo performance in the songs "If It Ain't Ruff" and "Quiet on tha Set". Eazy-E's only solo recording was a remix of the song "8 Ball" which appeared on N.W.A's previous album N.W.A and the Posse. The only guests on the album were Ruthless Records ghostwriter, The D.O.C., who appeared on "Parental Discretion Iz Advised", rapping the intro, and original N.W.A member, Arabian Prince, who contributed minor vocals on "Something 2 Dance 2".
Seven tracks from the album were released on N.W.A's Greatest Hits: "Gangsta Gangsta", "Fuck tha Police", "Straight Outta Compton (extended mix)", "If It Ain't Ruff", "I Ain't tha 1", "Express Yourself" and the bonus track from its remastered version, "A Bitch Iz a Bitch".
Lyrics
The lyrics on the album were mainly written by Ice Cube.[10][1] Critics of the album expressed their view that the record glamorized Black-on-Black crime, but the rappers stated that they were simply showing the reality of living in the areas of Compton, California and South Central Los Angeles.[6] Allmusic's Steve Huey states that the lyrics are all about "raising hell" and also noted the album for its humor, which he says has been lost in modern lyricism.[1]
Many critics feel that the albums' lyrics glamorize gang violence. The Washington Post writer David Mills wrote: "The hard-core street rappers defend their violent lyrics as a reflection of 'reality.' But for all the gunshots they mix into their music, rappers rarely try to dramatize that reality — a young man flat on the ground, a knot of lead in his chest, pleading as death slowly takes him in. It's easier for them to imagine themselves pulling the trigger". However, Wichita Eagle-Beacon editor Bud Norman noted that "They [N.W.A] don't make it sound like much fun... They describe it with the same nonjudgmental resignation that a Kansan might use about a tornado."[11]
Production
The production on the album was generally seen as top-quality for that point in time,[10] with Dr. Dre's production performing well with his instrumentals and drum machine beats, and DJ Yella's turntable scratches and overall co-production seen as proficient by hip hop critics. But some other critics thought it was also little sparse for the sheer significance of the album and how the low budget doesn't show up well compared to modern production.[1]
Reception
Sales and certifications
The album has sold over three million copies[8][12] and was certified double Platinum on March 27, 1992.[13] It was N.W.A's best selling album, as their debut, N.W.A and the Posse, was certified Gold.[14] Their final album, Niggaz4Life, was certified platinum.[15] According to Priority Records' calculations, 80% of sales were in the suburbs, beyond the boundaries of black neighborhoods.[16]
The album first appeared on music charts in 1989, peaking on the U.S. Billboard 200 at number thirty-seven, and peaking on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums at number nine.[17] It re-entered the charts in 2003, peaking on the UK Albums Top 75 at number thirty-five, and on the Ireland Albums Top 75 at number twenty.[18]
Critical
The album was generally well received by critics. Richmond Times-Dispatch's Mark Holmberg described the album as "a preacher-provoking, mother-maddening, reality-stinks diatribe that wallows in gangs, doping, drive-by shootings, brutal sexism, cop slamming and racism"[11]. Newsweek noted that Straight Outta Compton "introduced some of the most grotesquely exciting music ever made". A Newsweek reviewer added, "Hinting at gang roots, and selling themselves on those hints, they project a gangster mystique that pays no attention where criminality begins and marketing lets off".[11] Following its 2002 re-release, Jon Caramanica of Rolling Stone magazine cited Straight Outta Compton as one of hip-hop's most crucial albums, calling it a "bombastic, cacophonous car ride through Los Angeles' burnt-out and ignored hoods."[19]
Accolades
In 2003, the TV network, VH1, named Straight Outta Compton the 62nd greatest album of all time. It was ranked ten in Spin magazine's "100 Greatest Albums, 1985-2005". In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums. It is the group's only album on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (ranked #144), and the first hip-hop album ever to get a 5-star rating from them in their initial review, and when comedian Chris Rock wrote an article for the magazine about the 25 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of all time in 2005, Straight Outta Compton was number one on his list.[20] The album was also ranked the 130th best album of all time by Acclaimedmusic.net.[21] In 2006, the album was listed in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[22] The same year, TIME Magazine ranked it as one of the 100 greatest albums of all time.[23] Q magazine voted it one of the 'Top 50 Titles Of 1989. Alternative Press (7/95, p.88) ranked it #45 in AP's list of the 'Top 99 Of '85-'95'. Vibe (12/99, p.164) included it in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century.
Track listing
| # | Title | Time | Performer(s) | Songwriters | Producer(s) | Samples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Straight Outta Compton" | 4:19 | Ice Cube MC Ren Eazy-E |
Eric Wright O'Shea Jackson Lorenzo Patterson |
Dr. Dre DJ Yella |
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| 2 | "Fuck tha Police" | 5:45 | Dr. Dre (spoken word, not rap) Ice Cube MC Ren Eazy-E |
O'Shea Jackson Lorenzo Patterson Eric Wright |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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| 3 | "Gangsta Gangsta" | 5:36 | Ice Cube MC Ren Eazy-E |
Eric Wright O'Shea Jackson Lorenzo Patterson |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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| 4 | "If It Ain't Ruff" | 3:34 | MC Ren | Lorenzo Patterson | Dr. Dre Yella |
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| 5 | "Parental Discretion Iz Advised" | 5:16 | The D.O.C. Dr. Dre Eazy-E Ice Cube MC Ren |
Eric Wright O'Shea Jackson Lorenzo Patterson Tracy Curry |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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| 6 | "8 Ball (remix)" | 4:52 | Eazy-E | Eric Wright | Dr. Dre Yella |
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| 7 | "Something Like That" | 3:35 | Dr. Dre MC Ren |
Andre Young Lorenzo Patterson |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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| 8 | "Express Yourself" | 4:25 | Dr. Dre | O'Shea Jackson | Dr. Dre Yella |
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| 9 | "Compton's in the House (remix)" | 5:20 | Dr. Dre MC Ren Eazy-E |
O'Shea Jackson Andre Young Eric Wright |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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| 10 | "I Ain't tha 1" | 4:54 | Ice Cube | O'Shea Jackson | Dr. Dre Yella |
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| 11 | "Dopeman (remix)" | 5:20 | Ice Cube Dr. Dre Eazy-E |
O'Shea Jackson Eric Wright |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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| 12 | "Quiet on tha Set" | 3:59 | MC Ren | Lorenzo Patterson | Dr. Dre Yella |
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| 13 | "Something 2 Dance 2" | 3:32 | Arabian Prince DJ Yella Dr. Dre Eazy-E |
Mik Lezan Eric Wright Andre Young |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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| * | "Express Yourself (extended mix)" | 4:42 | Dr. Dre Ice Cube MC Ren |
O'Shea Jackson Lorenzo Patterson |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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| * | Bonus Beats | 3:03 | ||||
| * | "Straight Outta Compton (extended mix)" | 4:53 | MC Ren Eazy-E Ice Cube |
Eric Wright O'Shea Jackson Lorenzo Patterson |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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| * | "A Bitch Iz a Bitch" | 3:10 | Ice Cube | O'Shea Jackson | Dr. Dre Yella |
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| ** | "Fuck tha Police (Tribute remix)" | 5:02 | Bone Thugs-N-Harmony | O'Shea Jackson Lorenzo Patterson |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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| ** | "Gangsta Gangsta (Tribute remix)" | 4:39 | Snoop Dogg C-Murder |
Calvin Broadus Corey Miller |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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| ** | "Dopeman (Tribute remix)" | 4:01 | Mack 10 | Dedrick Rolison | Dr. Dre Yella |
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| ** | "If It Ain't Ruff (Tribute remix)" | 3:44 | WC | William Calhoun | Dr. Dre Yella |
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| ** | "Compton's n the House (Live)" | 2:02 | Dr. Dre MC Ren |
Andre Young Lorenzo Patterson |
Dr. Dre Yella |
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- An asterisk (*) indicates a 2002 reissue bonus track.
- Double asterisks (**) indicates a 2007 20th Anniversary bonus track.
Personnel
- Artwork: Helane Freeman
- Engineer: Donovan Sound
- Executive Producer: Eric (Eazy-E) Wright
- Mastered by: Big Bass Brian
- Photography: Eric Poppleton
- Producers: Dr. Dre, DJ Yella
Charts
| Charts[17][18] | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 | 37 |
| Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | 9 |
| Ireland Albums Top 75 | 20 |
| UK Albums Top 75 | 35 |
Later Samples
- "Straight Outta Compton"
- "Crooked Ass Nigga" by 2Pac from the album 2Pacalypse Now
- "Fuck the Police"
- "Crooked Ass Nigga" by 2Pac from the album 2Pacalypse Now
- "Gangsta Gangsta"
- "Crooked Ass Nigga" by 2Pac from the album 2Pacalypse Now
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Steve Huey. Straight Outta Compton Review. Billboard. Accessed September 28, 2007.
- ↑ Jon Caramanica. Straight Outta Compton Review. Rolling Stone. Accessed September 30, 2007.
- ↑ Essential guide to Urban. BBC. Accessed September 30, 2007.
- ↑ Omar Burgess (October 10, 2007). HHDX News Bits: N.W.A And Eazy-E. HipHopDX. Accessed October 10, 2007.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Stephen Thomas Erlewine. N.W.A Biography. Allmusic. Accessed October 4, 2007
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Alex Henderson. Straight Outta Compton > Overview. Allmusic. Accessed September 30, 2007.
- ↑ Compton's Most Wanted. MP3.com. Accessed September 30, 2007.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Eazy-E Timeline. Eazy-E.com. Accessed October 4, 2007
- ↑ Artistdirect.com Straight Outta Compton Clean Version. Artistdirect. Accessed October 22, 2007.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Nick Butler. Straight Outta Compton Review sputnikmusic. Accessed October 1, 2007.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Ed. Michael L. LaBlanc. (December 4, 2006). "N.W.A." Contemporary Musicians.. eNotes. Accessed October 10, 2007
- ↑ Straight Outta Compton article. Los Angeles Times. Accessed October 4, 2007
- ↑ RIAA Searchable database - Straight Outta Compton. RIAA. Accessed October 10, 2007.
- ↑ RIAA Searchable database - N.W.A and the Posse. RIAA. Accessed October 10, 2007.
- ↑ RIAA Searchable database - Efil4Zaggin. RIAA. Accessed October 10, 2007.
- ↑ LA Times NWA:Straight Outta Compton pt. Los Angeles Times. Accessed July 25, 2008
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 N.W.A - Discography, Charts and Awards. Allmusic. Accessed October 9, 2007.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton Chart Positions. aCharts. Accessed October 9, 2007.
- ↑ Rolling Stone magazine. Straight Outta Compton album review. Rolling Stone. Accessed July 25, 2008
- ↑ Chris Rock. Chris Rock's Top 25 Hip Hop Albums. RateYourMusic. Accessed October 6, 2007
- ↑ Acclaimed Music website. AcclaimedMusic. Accessed October 6, 2007.
- ↑ 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die Rocklistmusic. Accessed October 25, 2007
- ↑ The All-TIME 100 Albums TIME. Accessed January 4, 2008
External links
- Straight Outta Compton at MusicBrainz
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