Niggaz Wit Attitudes (N.W.A) was formed back in 1986 in Compton, California. It is an extremely popular important hip-hop group and introduced gangsta rap to the world. They also pioneered West Coast hip-hop music and wrote songs that were rife with political criticism.
The rap group was founded by Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, DJ Yella and Arabian Prince. Their album, Straight Outta Compton, which came out in 1988, made history. Their work was marked by the coming together of art and activism because rap was a medium of resistance, not just entertainment.
1. The creators of gangsta rap
N.W.A redefined the hip-hop genre and introduced a new style, gangsta rap, that went on to change rap music. This music spoke about the terrible challenges of street life. They called out the systemic oppression of people living on streets including police brutality in South Central Los Angeles. They used their music to give to voice to those who were marginalised. N.W.A showed that rap music can be a tool of resistance.
2. Defining the West Coast sound
Before this rap group came onto the scene, hip-hop was ghettoed within the walls of New York City. N.W.A took the genre out of the cage and experimented with it, blending the classic West Coast G-Funk with the already existing soundscape. Their work and the sound they created inspired generations, and largely influenced the music by rappers who came after them in the 1990s.
3. Political and social message
N.W.A didn't just create rap music, they set the tone of resistance. With their debut album, Straight Outta Compton, which released in 1988, the rap group started a revolution of sorts. The album became instantly controversial with the FBI sending them warning letters for the lyrics of F*ck tha Police and law enforcement agencies all over the country placing strict scrutiny on them.
With media houses banning the album and police standing in their way, N.W.A did something very few could do with music: spark conversations about freedom of speech. They proved to the world that rap music could cause waves and be a medium of political and social commentary.
4. Legendary careers
With a great pool of talent coming together to create some powerful music, it was no doubt that the members would go on to become influential figures in music who could dictate terms. Dr. Dre became a billionaire master producer while Eazy-E started Ruthless Records. Some turned to alternative modes of media such as acting but the legacy they built stayed and continued to be an inspiration for future rap musicians.
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