Straight Outta Compton [LP]

by N.W.A

Overview

Straight Outta Compton wasn't quite the first gangsta rap album, but it was the first one to find a popular audience, and its sensibility virtually defined the genre from its 1988 release on. It established gangsta rap -- and, moreover, West Coast rap in general -- as a commercial force, going platinum with no airplay and crossing over with shock-hungry white teenagers. Unlike Ice-T, there's little social criticism or reflection on the gangsta lifestyle; most of the record is about raising hell -- harassing women, driving drunk, shooting it out with cops and partygoers. All of that directionless rebellion and rage produces some of the most frightening, visceral moments in all of rap, especially the amazing opening trio of songs, which threaten to dwarf everything that follows. Given the album's sheer force, the production is surprisingly spare, even a little low-budget -- mostly DJ scratches and a drum machine, plus a few sampled horn blasts and bits of funk guitar. Although they were as much a reaction against pop-friendly rap, Straight Outta Compton's insistent claims of reality ring a little hollow today, since it hardly ever depicts consequences. But despite all the romanticized invincibility, the force and detail of Ice Cube's writing makes the exaggerations resonate. Although Cube wrote some of his bandmates' raps, including nearly all of Eazy-E's, each member has a distinct delivery and character, and the energy of their individual personalities puts their generic imitators to shame. But although Straight Outta Compton has its own share of posturing, it still sounds refreshingly uncalculated because of its irreverent, gonzo sense of humor, still unfortunately rare in hardcore rap. There are several undistinguished misfires during the second half, but they aren't nearly enough to detract from the overall magnitude. It's impossible to overstate the enduring impact of Straight Outta Compton; as polarizing as its outlook may be, it remains an essential landmark, one of hip-hop's all-time greatest. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	09/03/2013
Label:	Priority Records
UPC:	0602537498031
Rank:	10878

Tracks

1. Straight Outta Compton
2. Fuck tha Police
3. Gangsta Gangsta
4. If It Ain't Ruff
5. Parental Discretion Iz Advised
6. Express Yourself
7. Compton's N the House
8. I Ain't tha 1
9. Dopeman
10. Quiet on tha Set

Album Credits

Performance Credits

N.W.A   Primary Artist
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony   Primary Artist
AllFrumThal & The Comrads   Primary Artist
Snoop Dogg   Primary Artist
Silkk the Shocker   Primary Artist
Big Pun   Primary Artist
Ice Cube   Primary Artist,Vocals
Mack 10   Primary Artist
WC   Primary Artist
Jayo Felony   Primary Artist
MC Ren   Primary Artist,Vocals
C-Murder   Primary Artist
Dr. Dre   Primary Artist,Vocals
Ant Banks   Primary Artist
Mr. Mike   Primary Artist
The D.O.C.   Vocals
Eazy-E   Vocals
DJ Yella   Vocals

Technical Credits

Steve Arrington   Composer
Andre Young   Composer
Ice Cube   Composer
Lamont Dozier   Composer
Otis Jackson, Jr.   Composer
Eazy-E   Composer
Gregory Hutchinson   Composer
Eddie Holland   Composer
Eric "Eazy-E" Wright   Composer,Executive Producer
Donovan Sound   Engineer
Greg Webster   Composer
Charles Wright   Composer
Junie Morrison   Composer
Ralph Middlebrook   Composer
Randy Muller   Composer
MC Ren   Composer
Brian Holland   Composer
Harry Whitaker   Composer
Yella   Producer
Buddy Hankerson   Composer
William DeVaughn   Composer
Dr. Dre   Composer,Producer
Marvin Pierce   Composer
Ant Banks   Composer
D'Mon Dedrick Rolison   Composer
Charles Carter   Composer
Eric Poppleton   Photography
Eric Wright   Composer
Andrew Noland   Composer
Gregory Webster   Composer
Lorenzo Patterson   Composer
Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks   Composer
Jason Mitchell   Composer,Composer
Tracy Curry   Composer
Helane Freeman   Art Direction
Big Bass Brian   Mastering
O'Shea Jackson   Composer
Marshall Jones   Composer
Norman Napier   Composer
Marvin R. Pierce   Composer
Leroy Bonner   Composer
Sly Stone   Composer
Marshall Eugene Jones   Composer
Walter Morrison   Composer
Roger Parker   Composer