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N.W.A To download an editable PowerPoint, visit edu.rockhall.com N.W.A: Fast Facts • Gangsta rap group, active 1986-1991 • Based in Compton, CA • Members include Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella • Lyrics were controversial in mainstream media for profanity and depictions of violence • Songs often focus on living conditions for people of color in Compton (e.g. police brutality, poverty, the spread of illegal drugs) • Ice Cube left the group in 1989, Dr. Dre left in 1991, Eazy-E died in 1995 • Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2016) N.W.A: Important Locations ▪ Compton, California South Central Los Angeles, where N.W.A formed Founding location of Ruthless Records ▪ Los Angeles, California Center of West Coast rap scene, including gangsta rap ▪ New York City, New York Los Angeles County Ice Cube left N.W.A in December 1989, and moved to New York City to work with the Bomb Squad, Public Enemy’s production team TITLE YEAR PEAK # WEEKS CHART POSITION ON CHARTS Gangsta, Gangsta 1989 11 14 Hot Rap Songs Express Yourself 1989 2 21 Hot Rap Songs N.W.A’s Top 100 Miles and Runnin’ 1990 2 16 Hot Rap Songs Billboard Appetite for Destruction 1992 26 1 Hot Rap Songs Hits Chin Check* 2000 71 20 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs F**k Tha Police** 2015 17 5 R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales Straight Outta Compton** 2015 4 110 R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Source: billboard.com Song Sales *“Chin Check” was released on the Next Friday film soundtrack, and is considered a reunion song for the group, as well as a tribute to Eazy-E. **These songs were released in 1988 on the album Straight Outta Compton. They reached their peak chart positions in 2015 when the biopic film Straight Outta Compton renewed interest in the group. “World’s Most Dangerous Group” • N.W.A’s 1988 album Straight Outta Compton featured a protest song criticizing police brutality “A song recorded by the rap group N.W.A. and racial profiling on their album entitled ‘Straight Outta Compton’ encourages violence against and disrespect for the law enforcement • The song earned N.W.A the title “World’s Most officer” Dangerous Group” • Priority Records, N.W.A’s record company, “Advocating violence and assault is wrong, received a written censure from an FBI employee and we in the law enforcement community take exception to such action.” defending the integrity of police officers • The letter was written without official FBI “recordings such as the one from N.W.A. approval, but was soon made public are both discouraging and degrading to those brave, dedicated officers.” • Raised questions about music censorship and the right to artistic expression Source: Priority Records.

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