N.W.A was an American hip hop group formed in Compton, California. They were among the earliest and most significant popularizers and controversial figures of the gangsta rap subgenre, and the group is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential groups in the history of hip hop music.
O'Shea Jackson Sr., known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and film producer. His lyrics on N.W.A's 1988 album Straight Outta Compton contributed to gangsta rap's widespread popularity, and his political rap solo albums AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (1990), Death Certificate (1991), and The Predator (1992) were all critically and commercially successful. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of N.W.A in 2016.
Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by American gangsta rap group N.W.A, which, led by Eazy-E, formed in Los Angeles County's City of Compton in early 1987. Released by his label, Ruthless Records, on August 8, 1988, the album was produced by N.W.A members Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince, with lyrics written by N.W.A members Ice Cube and MC Ren along with Ruthless rapper and unofficial member The D.O.C. Not merely depicting Compton's street violence, the lyrics repeatedly threaten to lead it by attacking peers and even police. The track "Fuck tha Police" drew an FBI agent's warning letter, which aided N.W.A's notoriety, with N.W.A calling itself "the world's most dangerous group."
Antoine Carraby, known professionally as DJ Yella, is an American DJ, record producer, and film director from Compton, California.
Aaron Bernard Tyler, better known by his stage name MC Eiht, is an American rapper. Many of his songs are based on his life in Compton. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in KRS-One's name. He chose Eiht for its links to "hood culture", including Olde English 800 and .38 caliber firearms. He is the de facto leader of West Coast hip hop group Compton's Most Wanted, which also included fellow Compton-based rappers Boom Bam, The Unknown DJ, Tha Chill, DJ Mike T, DJ Slip and Ant Capone. He is also known for his role as A-Wax in the 1993 film Menace II Society, as well as playing the character Ryder in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Compton's Most Wanted (C.M.W.) is an American gangsta rap group and part of the early West Coast hip hop scene. The leaders of the group are MC Eiht and Tha Chill.
Eazy-Duz-It is the debut studio album by American rapper Eazy-E. It was released on November 22, 1988, by Ruthless Records and Priority Records. The album charted on two different charts and went 2× Platinum in the United States despite very little promotion by radio and television. Three singles were released from the album, each charting in the US. The remastered version contains tracks from the extended play (EP), 5150: Home 4 tha Sick (1992). The 25th anniversary (2013) contains two bonus tracks which are 12" remixes of "We Want Eazy" and "Still Talkin.'"
Quik Is The Name is the debut studio album by American hip hop artist and producer DJ Quik, released by Profile Records on January 15, 1991. Production was mainly handled by DJ Quik himself along with his executive producers Courtney Branch and Tracy Kendrick. Recording sessions took place throughout 1990 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $30,000.
"Boyz-n-the-Hood" is the debut single by Eazy-E, then leader of a new rap group, N.W.A. Released in March 1987, the single was a local hit, reissued, by year's end on the unauthorized compilation album N.W.A. and the Posse.
It's a Compton Thang! is the debut studio album by American gangsta rap group Compton's Most Wanted. It was released in 1990 through Orpheus Records.
"Streiht Up Menace" is a song and the debut solo single by American rapper MC Eiht. It was released on May 31, 1993 through Jive Records as the second single off the soundtrack of 1993 film Menace II Society. Written and produced by Eiht himself together with fellow Compton's Most Wanted groupmate DJ Slip, it peaked at number 72 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 46 on the Hot R&B Singles. A remix to the song was also heard in the film, but was not included in the soundtrack album.
We Come Strapped is the debut studio album by American rapper MC Eiht. It was released on July 19, 1994, through Epic Street. The recording sessions took place at X-Factor Studios in Long Beach, California. The album was produced by Compton's Most Wanted members MC Eiht and DJ Slip, except for one song, "Compton Bomb", produced by Ric Roc. It features contributions from William "Willie Z" Zimmerman on the keyboards, Josh Achziger on guitar, Carla Evans on vocals, and guest appearances from rappers Redman and Spice 1. In addition to a Parental Advisory sticker, Epic also included text on the album cover that noted that Eiht's lyrics reflected his personal views.
Death Threatz is the second studio album by American rapper MC Eiht. It was released on April 9, 1996, through Epic Street. Recording sessions took place at Echo Sound and X-Factor Studios in Los Angeles. Production was handled primarily by Compton's Most Wanted members DJ Slip and MC Eiht, along with Prodeje of South Central Cartel, Gentry "Black Jack" Reed, Robert "Fonksta" Bacon and Tomie Mundy. It features guest performances from Young Prodeje and N.O.T.R.
Music to Driveby is the third studio album by American gangsta rap group Compton's Most Wanted. It was released on September 29, 1992 through Orpheus/Epic Records. Recording sessions took place at Big Beat Soundlabs in Los Angeles and at Slips X Factor Studios in Inglewood from May 18 to June 9, 1992. Production was handled by members DJ Slip, MC Eiht and DJ Mike T, as well as The Unknown DJ and Ric Roc. It features contributions from William "Willie Z" Zimmerman on background vocals, keyboards, saxophone and harmonica, EMmage on backing vocals, and guest appearance by Scarface of Geto Boys.
'N Gatz We Truss is the second studio album by American rap group South Central Cartel. It was released on May 10, 1994, via South G.W.K. Records and Rush Associated Labels. Recording sessions took place at Kitchen Sync Studio in Hollywood, California with producers Prodeje and Havikk the Rhime Son, co-producers DJ Gripp, L.V. and DJ Kaos, and executive producer Cary "Havoc" Calvin. The album features guest performances by 2Pac, Mr. 3-2, Big Mike, Ice-T, MC Eiht and Spice 1, and also introduced a new member to the group, Patrick "Young Prodeje" Pitts.
When We Wuz Bangin' 1989–1999: The Hitz is the first greatest hits album by American hip hop group Compton's Most Wanted including solo material recorded by the group's frontman MC Eiht. It was released on January 23, 2001, via The Right Stuff/Capitol Records. Composed of thirteen tracks, it contains songs from the first three Compton's Most Wanted albums—It's a Compton Thang, Straight Checkn 'Em and Music to Driveby—, its A-side and B-sides, Menace II Society , MC Eiht featuring CMW album We Come Strapped, Spice 1's album 1990-Sick, and MC Eiht's solo album Section 8. Production was handled by DJ Slip, The Unknown DJ, Blackjack, Fredwreck and MC Eiht, with Tom Cartwright serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Scarface and Spice 1.
"Hood Took Me Under" is a song by American West Coast hip hop group Compton's Most Wanted, released as a single from their third studio album Music to Driveby. Its lyrics were written and performed by MC Eiht. It was recorded at Big Beat Soundlabs in Los Angeles, produced by DJ Mike T, and released via Orpheus Records/Epic Records. The song samples Isaac Hayes' version of "Walk On By". The single peaked at #5 on the Hot Rap Songs and at #63 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales in the United States.
Penicillin on Wax is the debut studio album by American New York-based rapper Tim Dog. It was released on November 12, 1991 via Ruffhouse Records. Production was handled by several record producers, including Ced-Gee, TR Love and Moe Love from Ultramagnetic MC's, Bobby Crawford, Louis Flores, and Tim Dog himself. Fellow rapper Kool Keith made uncredited guest appearances on two tracks.
"Shut 'Em Down" is a hip hop song by American rapper LL Cool J. It was released on February 1, 2000 via Atlantic Records as a single from Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture Any Given Sunday soundtrack album. Production was handled by DJ Scratch with LL Cool J serving as co-producer. An accompanying music video was directed by Dave Meyers.
Boyz N the Hood (Music From the Motion Picture) is the soundtrack to John Singleton's 1991 film Boyz n the Hood. It was released on July 9, 1991 through Qwest Records with distribution via Warner Bros. Records, and contains mostly hip hop music. The album consists of fourteen songs performed by the likes of 2 Live Crew, Compton's Most Wanted, Hi-Five, Ice Cube, Kam, Main Source, Monie Love, Too $hort, Yo-Yo and more. Audio production was handled by several record producers, including DJ Pooh, Al B. Sure!, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Slip, Raphael Saadiq, Sir Jinx and The Unknown DJ. The soundtrack made it to number 12 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States.
