N.W.A (an abbreviation for (N)(i)(g)(g)(a)(z) Wit Attitudes) 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.
Active from 1987 to 1991, the rap group endured controversy owing to its music's explicit lyrics, which many viewed as being misogynistic, as well as to its glorification of drugs and crime. The group was subsequently banned from many mainstream American radio stations. In spite of this, the group has sold over 10 million units in the United States alone. Drawing on its members' own experiences of racism and excessive policing, the group made inherently political music. The group's members were known for their deep hatred of the police system, which has sparked much controversy over the years.
The original lineup, formed in early 1987, consisted of Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, and Ice Cube, with DJ Yella and MC Ren joining later that year.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played tracks from the group between 1989 and 1991, including some solo material from it's members, but as with many American hip hop artists, later in the 90's, he got disillusioned with many of them due to their gangsta rap and misogynist ways and rarely played any of them. After his death in 2004, it was later found out that Peel had a couple of their records in his Record Collection: N.
Shows Played[]
- 16 August 1989: Express Yourself (single)
- 17 August 1989: Quiet On Tha Set (album - Straight Outta Compton (Clean Version)) Ruthless
- 21 August 1989: 8 Ball (album - Straight Outta Compton (Clean Version)) Ruthless
- 1990
- 28 October 1990: 100 Miles And Runnin' (7") 4th & Broadway
- 1991
- 16 November 1991: Always Into Somethin (LP - Efil4Zaggin)