Straight Outta Compton

Infobox Album
Name = Straight Outta Compton
Type = studio
Artist = N.W.A


Released = August 8, 1988
Recorded = 1988
Audio Achievements
(Torrance, California)
Genre = Gangsta rap
Length = 60:27 (Original LP)
76:13 (2002 re-release)
Label = Ruthless/Priority
Producer = Eazy-E (exec.) Dr. Dre, DJ Yella
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Abqoibka9hakb link]
*Robert Christgau (B) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=2609 link]
*Pitchfork Media (9.7/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/20470-straight-outta-compton-efil4zaggin link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|5|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/nwa/albums/album/128098/review/6211658/straight_outta_compton link]
*The Source Rating|5|5 [http://www.listsofbests.com/list/12875 link]
Last album = "N.W.A and the Posse" (1987)
This album = "Straight Outta Compton" (1988)
Next album = "100 Miles and Runnin'" (1990)
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Type = Studio album


Lower caption = "20th Anniversary Edition" (2007) Singles
Name = Straight Outta Compton
Type = studio
single 1 = Straight Outta Compton
single 1 date = 1988
single 2 = Gangsta Gangsta
single 2 date = 1988
single 3 = Express Yourself
single 3 date = 1989

"Straight Outta Compton" is the second album by Compton-based hip hop 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.Steve Huey. [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=1058&aid=551705#review Straight Outta Compton Review] . "Billboard". Accessed September 28, 2007.]

"Straight Outta Compton" redefined the direction of hip hop,Jon Caramanica. [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/nwa/albums/album/128098/review/6211658/straight_outta_compton Straight Outta Compton Review] . "Rolling Stone". Accessed September 30, 2007.] 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, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/urban/guides/urban/ Essential guide to Urban] . BBC. Accessed September 30, 2007.] 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. [Omar Burgess (October 10, 2007). [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5805/title.hhdx-news-bits-n-w-a-and-eazy-e HHDX News Bits: N.W.A And Eazy-E] . HipHopDX. Accessed October 10, 2007.]

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.Stephen Thomas Erlewine. [http://wm11.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0ifuxq95ld6e~T1 N.W.A Biography] . Allmusic. Accessed October 4, 2007]

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,Alex Henderson. [http://wm07.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Abqoibka9hakb Straight Outta Compton > Overview] . Allmusic. Accessed September 30, 2007.] hence groups such as Compton's Most Wanted coming into fusion. [http://www.mp3.com/albums/22123/summary.html Compton's Most Wanted] . MP3.com. Accessed September 30, 2007.]

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.

Music

ongs

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. [ [http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,1742756,00.html Artistdirect.com Straight Outta Compton Clean Version] . Artistdirect. Accessed October 22, 2007.] 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.Nick Butler. [http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=1433 Straight Outta Compton Review] sputnikmusic. Accessed October 1, 2007.] 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. 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.

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."

Production

multi-listen item
filename=N.W.A - Fuck Tha Police.ogg‎
title="Fuck tha Police" (sample)
description=This is N.W.A's most famous and controversial song. [Explicit lyrics] .
format=Oggmulti-listen item
filename=N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton.ogg
title="Straight Outta Compton" (sample)
description=This is the lead single from the album. [Explicit lyrics] .
format=Oggmulti-listen item
filename=N.W.A - Gangsta Gangsta.ogg
title="Gangsta Gangsta" (sample)
description=This is the second single from the album. [Explicit lyrics] .
format=Oggmulti-listen item
filename=Express Yourself.ogg
title="Express Yourself" (sample)
description=This is the third single from the album. [Explicit lyrics] .
format=OggThe production on the album was generally seen as top-quality for that point in time, 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.

Critical reception

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"Ed. Michael L. LaBlanc. (December 4, 2006). [http://www.enotes.com/contemporary-musicians/n-w-biography "N.W.A." Contemporary Musicians.] . eNotes. Accessed October 10, 2007] . "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". 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." [Rolling Stone magazine. [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/nwa/albums/album/128098/review/6211658/straight_outta_compton Straight Outta Compton album review] . Rolling Stone. Accessed July 25, 2008]

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" magazine'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 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. [Chris Rock. [http://rateyourmusic.com/list/tha_flu/chris_rocks_top_25_hip_hop_albums Chris Rock's Top 25 Hip Hop Albums] . RateYourMusic. Accessed October 6, 2007] The album was also ranked the 130th best album of all time by Acclaimedmusic.net. [ [http://www.acclaimedmusic.net Acclaimed Music website] . AcclaimedMusic. Accessed October 6, 2007.] In 2006, the album was listed in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". [http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/1001albums.htm 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die] Rocklistmusic. Accessed October 25, 2007 ] The same year, TIME Magazine ranked it as one of the 100 greatest albums of all time. [http://www.time.com/time/2006/100albums/index.html The All-TIME 100 Albums] "TIME". Accessed January 4, 2008 ] "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.

ales and certifications

The album has sold over three million copies [http://www.eazy-e.com/eazy_e-timeline.php Eazy-E Timeline] . Eazy-E.com. Accessed October 4, 2007] [http://www.daveyd.com/nwalatimespt1.html Straight Outta Compton article] . "Los Angeles Times". Accessed October 4, 2007] and was certified double Platinum on March 27, 1992. [ [http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Straight%20Outta%20Compton&artist=N.W.A&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2007&sort=Artist&perPage=25 RIAA Searchable database - "Straight Outta Compton"] . RIAA. Accessed October 10, 2007.] It was N.W.A's best selling album, as their debut, "N.W.A and the Posse", was certified Gold. [ [http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=N.W.A%20and%20the%20Posse&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2007&sort=Artist&perPage=25 RIAA Searchable database - "N.W.A and the Posse"] . RIAA. Accessed October 10, 2007.] Their final album, "Niggaz4Life", was certified platinum. [ [http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Efil4Zaggin&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2007&sort=Artist&perPage=25 RIAA Searchable database - "Efil4Zaggin"] . RIAA. Accessed October 10, 2007.] According to Priority Records' calculations, 80% of sales were in the suburbs, beyond the boundaries of black neighborhoods. [LA Times [http://www.daveyd.com/nwalatimespt1.html NWA:Straight Outta Compton pt] . "Los Angeles Times". Accessed July 25, 2008]

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. [http://wm10.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=NWA&sql=11:0ifuxq95ld6e~T5 N.W.A - Discography, Charts and Awards] . Allmusic. Accessed October 9, 2007.] 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. [http://acharts.us/album/16362 N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton Chart Positions] . aCharts. Accessed October 9, 2007.]

Track listing

*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

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

External links

* [http://musicbrainz.org/release/7fdf33ff-9dc7-41c4-bbfe-c5c7d1f68751.html "Straight Outta Compton"] at MusicBrainz