Straight Outta Compton

Basic Info

Name: Straight Outta Compton

​Artist: N.W.A

Type: Album

Release Date: August 8th, 1988

Features: The D.O.C.

​Tracks: 13

​Runtime: 1:00:00

About "Straight Outta Compton"

"Straight Outta Compton" is the debut studio album released from N.W.A, it was released on August 8th, 1988. This gangsta rap pioneering album was released threw Ruthless Records and Priority Records. The album reached platinum status before any radio would air it and before any major tours. It went on to achieve triple platinum status. This album became so popular the Federal Bureau of Investigation sent a letter to N.W.A informing them that because of the track Fuck Tha Police, N.W.A was banned from performing at many venues nationwide. This only furthered N.W.A's popularity. N.W.A members continued to respond to the FBI over there own careers. This album peaked on the US billboard top LP's at 37 and Top Soul LP's at 9. The release of the movie reintroduced the album to the billboards peaking at 4.

Tracklist of "Straight Outta Compton"

1) Straight Outta Compton - By: N.W.A

2) Fuck tha Police - By: N.W.A

3) Gangsta Gangsta - By: N.W.A

4) If It Ain't Ruff - By: N.W.A

5) Parental Discretion Iz Advised - By: N.W.A - Featuring: The D.O.C.

6) 8 Ball (Remix) - By: N.W.A

7) Something Like That - By: N.W.A

8) Express Yourself - By: N.W.A

9) Compton's N the House (Remix) - By: N.W.A

10) I Ain't Tha 1 - By: N.W.A

11) Dopeman (Remix) - By: N.W.A

12) Quiet On Tha Set - By: N.W.A

13) Something 2 Dance 2 - By: N.W.A

Review of "Straight Outta Compton"

Straight Outta Compton is a groundbreaking, genre blending, pioneering hip hop album. It takes elements from different genres and combines them in with hip hop to form a gangsta rap album. This album was not the start of gangsta rap but is the album that brought it into the spotlight and changed hip hop forever. This album put the West Coast on the map for hip hop fans and created opportunities for many artists to come. This album is not only a amazing piece of work but a piece of hip hop history that will be with the genre for as long as it's around. The combination of jazz remixed by Eazy-E and Dre Dre with Ice Cubes aggressive lyrics formed a memorable piece of rap. This album takes real life experiences and pairs them with entertaining lyrics and flows creating a scene that emerges you into the album and makes you want to hear more about there life experiences. This album not only made waves in hip hop but has influenced other genres as well which is seen throughout said sub-genres and genres. This album sets up each artist for a successful solo career, from mainstream Ice Cube and Dr Dre to less mainstream artists like DJ Yella. The standout tracks for me are definitely Straight Outta Compton, Gangsta Gangsta, Fuck Tha Police, 8 Ball (Remix), Dopeman (Remix), and Express Yourself. All the other tracks are great in there own way but not as out standing as previously mentioned tracks.

Lyrically this debut album emerges you into the daily experiences of each artist. From the opening track Ice Cube, MC Ren, and Eazy-E educate you on there experiences in Compton and the violence they experience. The next track comes in with a intense, experience charged lyrical compilation of Ice Cube, MC Ren, Eazy-E, and Dr Dre's opinions and experiences on police. These are the two standout tracks from the album lyrically but on other tracks N.W.A tells about drugs, women, Compton, gangs, violence, law enforcement, and much much more. The most outstanding bars come from Ice Cube, for example on Fuck Tha Police he expresses why he is unfairly treated by police: "A young nigga got it bad ‘cause I'm brown/And not the other color, so police think/They have the authority to kill a minority". Each bar Ice Cube spits is a meaning driven expression of his mind. MC Ren shows off his lyrical ability on some songs but also has some basic bars throughout the project like "Like stupid, actin like a retard/Waitin' for a bumrush, gettin' to the good part". Eazy-E sports a wide variety of lyrics but also has some of the most basic on the album. Dr Dre shows up less than other members but each verse he displays is always a engaging listen. His bars range in variety from "Cause I don't give a fuck about radio play/Observe the English I display" to "When their records only make good frisbees/You need to quit runnin' off the mouth/Stop and think before you put some whack bullshit out". Other artists show up throughout the album adding entertaining and well structured bars which further the songs. The production throughout this album is amazing, it takes from other genres and blends it in with boom bap beat creating a energetic but smooth and sometimes very simplistic instrumental that complements the artists styles. The production on this album was done by Dr Dre and DJ Yella who both show off there amazing production skill. Arabian Prince handled the production on Something 2 Dance 2 which has a electro hip hop feel to it. The Public Enemy influenced production style throughout the album is very banging and immersive. Each producer comes in with samples that they twist to fit there style so well that it songs better than the songs they sampled. The harsh, aggressive, emotion filled delivery each artist twists to fit there style is a amazing display of there skill throughout the album. From Ice Cube's almost screaming delivery on Straight Outta Compton to Eazy-E's almost talking delivery on 8 Ball (Remix) gives the listener a wide choice and change throughout the album. Each artist sticks with a similar flow on each song with a little change but it's barely noticeable with the intense deliveries and production sported along side it. The theme of the album isn't that creative since it was discussed before in music but the way each artist uses the theme of the song and pairs it with there specific styles brings a impact never heard before. The theme is stated in the name of the album and they use it perfectly. Each member of N.W.A and artist enlisted for help uses the impact Compton has had on them and they create a new sound that I can't describe in a review alone. The versatile on this album is best seen in the beginning three tracks and the last half of the album which shows of the different genres and styles each artist can create and flow over. Each artist has there own specific style they switch and mix to fit the production on a song. Each artist shows immense talent by using the production to help there contributions to songs instead of working against it.

This by far is one of my favorite albums of the pre-2000's hip hop. The influence of this album on hip hop is insane, it didn't only put just Compton on the map of hip hop but the entire West Coast. The West Coast began to be respected more and N.W.A set up a path to success for West Coast rappers. The gangsta rap heard today is heavily influenced by N.W.A. N.W.A didn't begin Gangsta Rap but it defiantly moved it up to a mainstream level. Without N.W.A current day gangsta rappers like Dababy, Meek Mill, The Game, and more either wouldn't be in the position they are know or wouldn't be rapping. The influence of this album alone is insane and I highly suggest doing further research on the influence of this album. Overall this like I stated before is one of my favorite hip hop albums. The message pushed through this album isn't self centered but meant to influence politics, gangs, police, and decisions made by people who are racially profiled. Each artist on this project delivers past expectations and creates/emerges you into what they experience on a day to day basis. This is easily one of the best Hip Hop albums ever created, there is still so much to say and I haven't even scratched the surface.

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