Barrett Harvey
Musc103
September 26, 2022
I choose to do my presentation on NWA. I feel as if they had a huge cultural impact on the black
community in the late 80s and early 90s. The group started in Compton California. During the ’80s that
area was known for drugs, murder, violence, high unemployment, riots, and police brutality. N.W.A was
one of the first groups who spoke on these issues in their lyrics. The group consisted of 8 members. DJ
Speed, Arabian Prince, The D.O.C, DJ Yella, Mc Ren, and the group superstars Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Eazy-
E. Most if not all of the issues this group spoke on lived and experienced, so they were no strangers to
their subject matter. Especially Eazy-E was a known drug dealer and gang member. But after seeing a
relative of his losing his life due to his own involvement in a life of crime he chose to choose a different
outlet. He started a record label with his childhood friend Dr.Dre and Ice Cube. Shortly after the other
members joined after they dropped their single. NWA was known for its darker grittier and more
hardcore content. It was for shock value and to gain more attention for their content. Their first single
made it on the first hip-hop station ever known as KDAY on the AM. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=U_RpYfAbtcA). This record was a depiction of what went on in their hometowns and started a brand-
new genre called Gangster rap. After this song aired 5 other members joined the group and picked their
group name, N.W.A.
In the ’80s the crack epidemic was at its highest during this time. Alongside these gangs formed, Murder
and violence were on the rise and A lot of single-parent homes due to these circumstances. L.A.P.D felt
as if they had an answer to this problem it was called C.R.A.S.H (Community Resources Against Street
Hoodlums) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Resources_Against_Street_Hoodlums). This unit
started in 1979 and ended in 2000. During this time period, this unit was known for racial profiling and
targeting Black and Hispanic youths. They labeled them as “urban terrorists”. This unit sparked the
encouragement of the group t makes the song F*ck the Police. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ADdpLv3RDhA). This song had so much rage and anger placed behind its lyrics. The sound effects
included in the track made you feel more in tune with what they were speaking about. NWA utilized
these wicked times and formed a catalog of songs shedding light on something they felt were
unforeseen circumstances in their eyes. I decided to include the explicit version so the picture can be
painted more vividly. Group members took from the preaching of the Black Panther Party and utilized it
in their lyrics. This song gained so much attention and backlash that the F.B.I sent a letter to the label and
also denounced the song and accused the band of inciting police violence. The F.B.I placed the blame on
the deaths of multiple officers due to the track F*ck The Police.
(https://pages.stolaf.edu/americanmusic/2018/05/01/1980s-music-censorship-nwa-vs-fbi/). Due to the
group’s rugged image, this only made them bigger. With the constant coverage of the media, they used
it for their own advantage. This made the group more mainstream than ever before. NWA was now a
face of freedom of expression in black neighborhoods and hip-hop. It was a rebellious movement and
kids in urban that loves these lives areas wanted to be heard and wanted to listen to something that was
relatable.
In 1987 EAZY-E started Ruthless Records and it was managed by an induvial named Jerry Heller. Jerry was
known for managing big artists like Elton John and Journey. They recorded their first album titled Straight
out of Compton. During this time, they were known to be underground artists due to the subject matter.
Hardcore rap was undesirable and unmarketable at the time. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ZIC9jGHJoiQ). National radio stations did not want to play their music from their debut album. So the
group decided to make a music video for their single Straight out of Compton and submitted it to MTV.
The group wanted to show the world how it was for young black men that lived in L.A. (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMZi25Pq3T8). This video was shot down and the explanation was
that it’s promoting violence and drugs. The constant censorship of their music only made their brand
bigger. After some time MTV folded because of the growing popularity of NWA they felt as if they had to
play their music and that song ended up being Express Yourself (https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=u31FO_4d9TY) Even though the group had no radio play and only 1 music video up at the time their
debut album sold over 1 million copies under a year.
Express yourself ended up being a more toned-down version of the group when it comes to the lyrics.
The visuals and lyrics played a huge part in this song. They expressed that say what you want and be
what you want, that’s your right. NWA wanted to explain to black kids that the 1st amendment applied to
them as well. Conveying a message to stop feeling oppressed and speak up for yourself. Now that the
group gained so much popularity in the late 80s. Their music spread to kids living in suburban areas
explaining and teaching what goes on in these stricken poverty neighborhoods. The group is known for
being taken the voice of the black man and allowing the voice to be heard globally. Youths nationally
listened to this music as a form of rebellion against their parents at times.
After their debut album tension grew within the group about financial disagreements 1 member left (Ice
Cube) before the group dropped their sophomore album title N*iggaz 4 Life. This album was the first
hardcore/gangster rap album to reach a number 1 spot on the Billboard charts.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niggaz4Life) This album caused another uproar across the nation and in
the music industry. Local governments tried to ban the selling of Hardcore rap in the 90s. Politicians felt
as if the music set a bad example for the youth, and some felt as if the music was obscene and foul.
There were many heated protests across the nation to get this music off the streets. But the attempt to
remove this genre from store shelves failed, and music artists and fans rebelled against the movement.
Claiming that it was censorship and a violation of their 1st amendment right. Once again, this movement
against this genre backfired causing the artist to have a surge in sales.
NWA had an amazing story with a huge cultural impact. Showing individuals that you should stand up
and fight against anyone who oppresses you and don’t be silenced. The group gained so much negative
press due to their subject matter and rugged image you’d think the group would have failed. Many
artists were influenced by the sound of the group and their message. Big names such as Snoop dog,
2pac, Eminem, The Game, and Bone Thugz and Harmony. Good or bad the group had a huge impact on
culture and the music industry.
Anorexic BEATS, “Eazy-E - Real Compton City G,” YouTube, September 10, 2016, accessed
September 26, 2022, video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9PbNecDCOA.
Wikipedia contributors. 2022. “Community Resources against Street Hoodlums.” Wikipedia, The
Free Encyclopedia. July 11, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Community_Resources_Against_Street_Hoodlums&oldid=1097605087
N.W.A, “ FUCK THA POLICE” – “YouTube, October 29,2018, video,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADdpLv3RDhA
Wikipedia contributors. 2022. “Community Resources against Street Hoodlums.” Wikipedia, The
Free Encyclopedia. July 11, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Community_Resources_Against_Street_Hoodlums&oldid=1097605087
Wikipedia contributors. 2022. “Niggaz4Life.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. September 4,
2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Niggaz4Life&oldid=1108391637
