N.W.A. — Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton" is an iconic West Coast hip-hop album. While the beginning is consistent, the rest of the album is a mixed bag of great and outdated tracks.
N.W.A.
(bottom left to right: Ice Cube and Eazy-E
top left to right: DJ Yella, Dr. Dre and MC Ren)
Straight Outta Compton, the ground breaking album by N.W.A., stands as an undeniable classic that played a pivotal role in shaping the West Coast's presence in the hip-hop landscape. Alongside the likes of Ice T, N.W.A. helped the West Coast be placed on the map of hip hop.
The album kicks off with the iconic opening line from Dr. Dre, “you’re about to witness the strength of street knowledge”, setting the tone for what would be a ground breaking album. Arguably, the first three tracks off of Straight Outta Compton create one of the best three-song runs on any hip-hop album. The title track stands as the introduction to the group with Ice Cube, MC Ren and Eazy-E rapping their verses on the track.
Following the title track is the impactful "Fuck Tha Police," a track that not only surpasses its predecessor in aggression but also becomes a powerful protest record. In 1988, a song like this was completely unheard of, channelling the frustration of African Americans towards law enforcement. The song's impact was so significant that the FBI issued a warning to the group, threatening arrest if the song was performed. N.W.A., undeterred, continued to perform the track, eventually leading to their arrest, solidifying the song's status as a protest record.
“Gangsta Gangsta” and “If It Ain't Ruff” follow, showcasing some of the album's best rapping from Ice Cube and MC Ren. Despite lacking the thematic depth of “Straight Outta Compton” or the bold stance of “Fuck Tha Police”, But both tracks consist of some of the best rapping on the whole album from the likes of Ice Cube and MC Ren. Personally, I always viewed MC Ren as an underrated rapper. Perhaps due to the attention and career that Ice Cube garnered. However “If It Ain't Ruff” is the best example of Ren's talent on the mic.
After the first tracks that are mentioned previously, the album progresses towards a more inconsistent run. This is where I get into my unpopular opinion, after the greatness of the first four tracks Straight Outta Compton consists of a mixed bag of timeless classics like "Express Yourself" alongside tracks that sound completely dated and fall short of the brilliance found in earlier records. The "8 Ball" remix, "Parental Discretion Is Advised" and “I Ain’t Tha 1” exemplify this mixed bag, as they suffer from lackluster and, at times, boring production that pales in comparison to the harder-hitting beats found in the title track and "Fuck Tha Police."
Within this mixed bag, standout tracks include "Quiet on the Set," another MC Ren solo, and "Express Yourself," a Dr. Dre solo record that serves as the world's proper introduction to the legendary producer on the mic. The remix of "Dopeman" from N.W.A.'s EP "N.W.A. and the Posse" is another highlight, showcasing Ice Cube's storytelling prowess as he delves into the life of a drug dealer in Compton.
Though with some records that have not aged well, Straight Outta Compton is still a must-listen and a cultural touchstone in hip-hop history. While some of the album's later tracks may not live up to the brilliance of its initial offerings, the impact of N.W.A.'s revolutionary music and unapologetic lyrics cements the album as a West Coast classic.