Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by 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 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."In July 1989, despite its scarce radio play beyond the Los Angeles area, Straight Outta Compton received gangsta rap's first platinum certification, one million copies sold by then. That year, the album peaked at #9 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and at #37 on the popular albums chart, the Billboard 200. Receiving media spotlight, N.W.A's example triggered the rap genre's movement toward hardcore, gangsta rap. As the 1990s closed, if largely through N.W.A's own splintering—yielding successful solo music careers and franchises for Ice Cube and for Dr. Dre—the ripple effects had reshaped rap, R&B, and popular music, influencing popular culture.Remastered, the album's September 2002 reissue gained four bonus tracks. Nearing the album's 20th anniversary, another extended version of it arrived in December 2007. And in 2015, after an album reissue on red cassettes of limited edition, theater release of the biographical film Straight Outta Compton reinvigorated sales of the album, which by year's end was certified 3x Multi-Platinum. In 2016, it became the first rap album inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The next year, the Library of Congress enshrined Straight Outta Compton in the National Recording Registry.
Most of the messages on this album do not age well. Misogyny, homophobia, violence, toxic masculinity run rampant throughout. The approach was not the best, but the message of the cops vs. the black community still rigs true today. The level of frustration in Compton that spawned the movement of gangsta rap must have been great. The rhyme schemes in today's rap almost make this album feel corny despite deliberate and aggressive violent lyrics.
The album that killed my love of hip hop and sent the entire genre on a shitty path for at least 10 years. Fuck this album. Express yourself was a dope track though.
You know what the fuck it is !! FUCK THA POLICE COMIN STRAIGHT FROM THE UNDERGROUND
Waaaayy too long. I feel like they needed to edit this down to half. The first few songs it was like they were trying to squeeze everyone in. It’s interesting, never listened to the full album and I’m realizing now Gangster rap was created during this album: there’s a stark difference between the songs, some still stuck in the 80s paradigm. It may have been created but it sure wasn’t mastered, later albums Dre would produce like The Chonic abd Doggystyle epitomize the gangster rap style and do it much better. Weird to think the Beastie Boys came out before this, you hear it sampled a few times, it puts the album into perspective, because the beastie boys album was better, more complete song craft. Dr. Dre’s sampling really shines in some of the interludes. Easy E was annoying and not a great rapper—apparently he was a drug dealer and funded the album, most of his shit was written by others and it shows. MC Ren, Dre and Ice Cube all stand out as better. I liked a couple of the more 80’s style non-gangster songs like “Somethit Like That” and “Express Yourself.” Not a terrible album but not yet fully cooked. 2-3, C+, gets extra credit for be prescient re: Fuck the Police.
I fucking hate the police
Despite this being a landmark album, I have trouble with the violent and misogynistic lyrics.
Things I noticed: - Lots of Beastie Boys samples getting dropped in the tracks. Makes me wonder if the Beasties actually had credibility in the 80s rap scene - Ren sounds a lot like the lead guy from Jurassic 5 on "Something Like That". The guy who's not Chali Tuna. - Dre brings a surprisingly clean message on Express Yourself. A self-positive, anti-drug, pro-meditation, happy tune on a gangster rap album? What an odd duck on the tracklist - I've never understood why people clown on Dr Dre's rhymes. He seems solid. - Every track left me wishing Ice Cube would jump in with a yayeeYAYYEE, we be clubbin style. This album was fun ("If It Ain't Ruff"), I know its important, but I didn't have any interesting thoughts about it. B-
‘Do I look like a mothafuckin' role model?‘ This is a huge landmark album, but it doesn’t really speak to me. The anger and confrontational tone of tracks like Fuck tha Police still kicks pretty hard, and the aggressive lyrics really force you into the artists’ world, but the rampant sexism is hard to ignore, because it’s everywhere. I get that they were never trying to be role-models, and that most of it is really just tongue-in-cheek posturing, but the contempt for women is pretty real, and it hasn’t aged well at all. To me, this is a really important time-capsule of an album, which I’d rather not actually listen to in 2021, but if it’s closer to your world, you’d probably feel differently
Liked the music but I just couldn’t get on with the sexist lyrics.
Fuck, fuck, fucking motherfuck and more fuck.
This is one of the albums I think of when I think of how present day rap was defined. I remember when I was younger we called it gangster rap but I just read something about how N.W.A. referred to it as "reality rap" instead and my adult mind agrees with that description more. This is the type of album that makes me appreciate the creativity that goes into producing a rap song. It's not my go-to genre of music but I have so much admiration for this craft.
Good album all the way through, with no filler. Its the god damn birth of G-Funk, the rise of Dre, Ice Cube, EazyE, Ren, the DOC. The birth of West Coast Hip Hop and a wide spreading of gangsta rap. The incredible songs (that still hold up) all the way through are only surpassed by the cultural significance of the album.
So I won’t hand out many easier five stars than this - as brilliant, fun, dangerous, ridiculous as it ever was. Listened on a walk this morning despite putting this on quite a lot anyway and had a shit eating grin as wide as 13 year old me on Xmas day 1989 when I managed to get this past my mum for Xmas 😂 the only rap album I know every single word to. MC Ren technically the best, Ice Cubes lyrics untouchable, Dre and his production, Eazy E just being Eazy E - a game changing album for me personally and for rap music in general - hard to believe what this spawned - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This may be the most important rap album ever made. You had public enemy doing militant stuff and tribe called quest and others doing rap on social issues. "zingalamaduni" comes to mind. NWA though... they captured the anger and reality of being a young black man. They really addressed all the social issues on the streets instead of in society and it resonated with so many people. Police, goldiggers, dope sellers, other rappers... NWA was out for you. Part of their genius was building their character through their songs. Eazy E especially. I am a huge fan of his character - too cool. He gives props to Dre all over though, which sucks for all their splintering later. Most of the songs hold up extremely well to time. "I ain't the one" is the only one that doesn't hold up - I know what he was going for, but... not all women man. This album has so much variety too - a song for everyone. Folks who roll hard get fuck the police, misogynists get I ain't the one, radio gets express yourself, and clubs get something to dance to. Their sampling is so good and their rhymes seem so effortless. It's really a triumph and deserves all the praise it got.
I remember when Northwest Airlines came out with this album. Very controversial at the time. Very controversial now. Crazy talented line-up. I hadn't realized that they sampled the Beastie Boys at the 2:32 mark of 8 Ball
“I got a boyfriend.’ Bitch stop lyin!” Eazy-E ruined every song he was on
I haven’t heard this before I’m thinking I have probably heard a lot of the songs on it at one point or another. The music is iconic but the contemptuous treatment of women and gays makes it hard to get down with. This hasn’t aged well. A fine historical artifact but nothing I would listen to or recommend today.
FUCK POLICE!
Ahh I remember going on a geography field trip to Stafford back when this dropped. I saw myself as a bit of a bad ass motherfucker - well as much as an eleven year old could be. I remember learning all of the words to Fuck Tha Police to try and impress a girl I really fancied. On a break time, me and my mate Stanley decided we would wander over and try and show off to this girl and a group of her friends by performing it in front on them. We had the baggy Jean's, the caps, the attitude, but although we wanted to, just about stopped short of blacking up. We were feeling confident and thought we had done a great job and that the girls would now desire our 11 year old white boy bodies. A short while later, our teacher pulled us to one side. The girls had obviously grassed us up for using inappropriate language and "being weird". Our parents were called and I was grounded for two weeks. Two years later I had fingered two of those girls...because I'm a bad ass motherfucker.
this is the first gangsta rap album ever and keeping that mind they created a masterpiece without any modern influences. dr dre, ice cube, eazy e and more are stars on their own. this being their debut album is crazy. controversial lyrics make this record. the perspective of the group is so interesting to look at and to hear.
As opening tracks go, Straight Outta Compton is a bloody good way to announce yourselves. Following it up with Fuck Tha Police, a song which is even better is terrifying. I'd be scared at this point to even try to compete with this! Gangsta Gangsta is alright too, 808 beeps and all. The quick bit of 70s soul and the Funky Worm sample give a quick hint of what Dre might be up to in a few year's time! It drops right off after this. If It Ain't Ruff and Parental Discretion are sooo dated when you look at other acts putting records out this year. And 8 Ball's 5 minutes feel like 20, in spite of the Beastie Boys samples. Like putting Kurtis Blow in a battle against Kendrick Lamar. This contrast sums up the album. When NWA have something to say, this is a five star album. When they don't, it's outdated old school hip hop except (golly gosh) they swear a lot. The bangers get fewer and further between as the album goes on. You have maybe 5 great songs on this (three all timers) and a lot of filler. NWA's reputation really did the rest. I'm glad they upset all the right people, but even so, I can't give it five stars - it does get four just for the three classics (the singles).
One of the more iconic records of this genre. The problem I’ve got with this and others like it is theyre just so one dimensional. Great music, great flow, but lyrically suspect. If I had a pound for every time there was a reference to bitches, money, or being hard as fuck, Id probably have about £147. It just gets old, quickly. Sadly the more important themes which they cover incredibly well are still prominent 30 odd years on which is fucking shameful. That said, it is enjoyable especially as background music. Production is great and they manage to include a few different influences throughout it (I’m sure they borrowed a riff or two from Bowie, especially in Gangsta Gangsta). First time I’ve properly listened to these outside of their hits, but I’ll be back. Probably a 3.5 but I’ll round up to a 4.
Hadn’t listened to this in a few years. Starts off hard, first two tracks are amazing. Ice Cube’s delivery on point. I found myself getting a little burnt out after that. Hip hop sound has come so far in terms of production, quality of samples and skill of MCing. Not denying the influence of this record. I just didn’t find it exciting like I once did.
Racist, misogynist, violent, hateful. Great beats and delivery, but whining about how hard it is in the 'hood gets tedious. This isn't improving things is it? Just stirring up more racist hatred. Stupid beyond belief.
So much anger, and very one note. Didn't really know where the songs were beginning and ending, just one long profanity session.
I listened until I could stand it no more. 2*
On 'Something Like That', Dre explains what it takes to be a good MC: "To create something funky that's original / You need to talk about the place to be / Who you are, what you got, or about a sucker MC." Which pretty much nails all of his group's shortcomings. For his part, the beats are far fresher than the raps.
Hated it. I hate rap. This was particularly bad. Glorifying violence and drugs, chants about killing cops. Not for me.
Not for me.
I can’t do this
Whe i started this project, I decided I'd listen to all of every album, no matter what. I quite enjoyed the first track but my resolve soon diminished as the album progressed
Over my head why this is revered. 3 planks spouting fantasy lyrics in a monotonous, single paced, rhythmically tedious, naff fashion. Pile of nonsense.
Vile. There’s something seriously wrong with humanity when so many people can give 5 stars to this violent, homophobic, misogynistic loser trash.
This was a tough album to endure - I listened to the first 3 ‘songs’ and stopped listening to the album generator for 2 months! I gave it another go today and realised it’s not for me - too many issues to start I haven’t got the energy……..
p631. 1988. 1 star. Arrogant, puerile noise. Shouting "fuck" and "motherfucker" every other sentence is neither "big" or clever. This noise is obnoxious on pretty much every level - misogyny, homophobia, violence, toxic masculinity, its all there if you want it. I don't.
Fuck the police. And women. And Mexicans. And... Surprisingly funky, but very little for me in this.
There's some great songs on this album, but the pervasive misogyny made this difficult to get through. This isn't the casual sexism that you get in a lot of other media; this album *hates* women with several songs that amount to little more than screeds against "bitches." It's a tragedy, because this is otherwise an album about a group of people who feel like media (and life in general) is not made for them, and they're rightly angry about it. But then they turn around and do the same thing to another group of people. A historically very important album, which I'm glad I listened to, but holy shit.
I’ll be honest, rap groups are absolutely hilarious to me. N.W.A. is literally just an edgier version of *NSYNC. I find it corny and it’s hard to believe that this was one of the defining albums in hip hop history. I’m resisting the inner urges to give this a 1. Never mind, the inner urges won.
It slaps.
You know what, for 1988 this is pretty great stuff. Think I might like Public Enemy a little more, but the beats from Dre and Yella are all great, the flows are really great, some pretty corny bars though. Wish there were some more hooks though
Still slaps.
Love it. A lot of the beats sound similar but the lyrics are amazing.
BEST ALBUM YET
Tricky tricky tricky. tails off at the end. 4 stars. but the start is ace, changed music etc etc. 5 stars. Express yourself get it the 5
Aside from the misogyny, this album is just about perfect
Instructive and an important album.
Adorei, deveria ter ouvido antes.
10/10
One of the greatest ever
Q. What does Shack eat for lunch? A. Lamb Chops!
You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge...
CLASSIC
I thought I'd listened to this end-to-end before but didn't remember some of the later tracks. Still powerful and (sadly) relevant, and drives home how Ice Cube is an all-time great who gets lost in the Biggie/Tupac conversations.
A game changer in the music history. But not quite my thing
Hard to think how this wouldbt be a 5 just cos it's so damn influential to all the artists I love. Surprised if I rate this less than a 5. Yeh 5.
Straight heard this years ago
Good start
Now this is rap music,loved it. I did listen to tone loc in the day but wished I got this album instead. Today’s rap (2021) is nowhere near this….bring back NWA
The OG rap album
Amazing Album
Finally a hip hop album! Classic album that sprung out a slew of some of the greatest hip hop albums ever released. A must listen to anyone who cares about the genre.
I really thought the lyrics were outstanding.
One of the greatest collabs ever
amazing album, tackles issues that are still around 33 years later, every single member delivers a powerful performance
Exceptional album. In the context of its time, this was a very shocking, hardcore statement. One of the most essential hip hop records.
wow. Some of the content may be misogynistic, but it is fresh, lively, musical...
Just an excellent album that's hard hitting and peak west coast rap of the era. Obviously there's a bunch of known songs but "Ain't it Ruff" is very underrated. 10/10.
One of the best album
The most honorable mediator of hip hop when it turned from experimental genre in the 80s into an angry political powerhouse! Love the album to the bones and every single legend that is featured on it
* Great
Classic
Straight banger of an album 🔥🔥🔥
I first heard Straight Outta Compton when I was 16 and it did what it needed to do. Shining a light on the situation in South Central Los Angeles and introducing a bold new genre of music. I actually feel that this could be edited down to an EP's worth of really strong tracks - some of the songs later in the album feel like filler. But this was the 80s/90s, a time when album sales were key and "thank u for all ur money". The title track alone is worth the price.
Great stuff. I can see how this is a classic of the genre. Not normally a big rap fan but these guys stand out.
A wonderful album. I have heard it many times before and I will listen to it again. The songs are great and fun. This album changed hip-hop/rap completely.
5. 2 weak tracks but seminal, raw as fuck, and just a fuckin blast
Gangsta rap never sounded as good or as thrilling as this. Angry in all the right ways and with crate digging samples used, this is the perfect album to get people riled up on any side of the political spectrum. Still sounds fresh today as it did when it came out. Unfortunately the topics rapped about here are still as fresh as those wounds that first appeared - this seems to be a running problem. People are dicks. Best Tracks: Straight Outta Compton; Fuck Tha Police; Express Yourself
Classic
Re-listen. I actually like earliest forms of rap.
Brutal!
7th April 2022 Listened throughout the day while in the office. Went out to ping pong then drinks after with work people. One of the greatest came straight outta Compton.
Iconic. Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, how can you go wrong?
The lyrics are provocative, the beats are tight. And I don't just think that because I'm white. The message is evocative and the samples iconic. This shit hits harder than the dankest chronic. The world wasn't ready when album was dropped. The sensible conservative hearts all stopped. The FBI sent them a cease and desist, and when they asked for security, no cops would assist. Their use of hyperbole to make a point, glides through this album like a smooth joint. And so they became the beats that they dropped, and etched their names as gods of hip-hop. This album is definitely one for the shelf, so I'm gonna quit making a fool of myself. Beyond that, I've got nothing else to say say. Except, in closing, they live up to the name, NWA. Tracks I enjoyed: 8 ball, I Ain't tha 1 and of course Fuck Tha Police
Awesome hip-hop album. I really enjoy the sampling throughout this one, reminds me of Paul's Boutique in that sense. Stellar production. The lyrics remain incredibly relevant today, and they serve as exceptional political commentary. These guys are the literal OGs and it is well-deserved. Paved the way for an entirely new, experimental, and controversial style of music. Fave tracks: Fuck Tha Police, If It Ain't Ruff, Express Yourself
Who am I to give less than 5 stars to this?
Amazing album. Just the funk and soul combined with the raw power. Perfecto!
Angry, authentic and exciting. Don't just sing in public Brit chaps.
A lot of anger and pain went into making this. Lived, real, and if neither, the art is greater for their ability to convey the imagined. While I felt shouted at for the entirety of the album, I endured, and I have more compassion for people of color because of it. Great art changes you, even if -- and often because -- it makes you uncomfortable.
Just the vibe from this album is already 5 stars... I'm sitting at my desk all bored out of my mind... halfway through the album I'm pumped up talking to myself "Yeah, fuck da police, pussy ass nigga"
An album that launched a genre. And every track is outstanding without that context. Easy rating here.
Certified classic. It’s the pioneer of the gangster rap genre and brought in many different artists into the rap game. I never actually listen to the whole album because I never cared for 80s rap but I liked this more than I thought. It does show its age with the beats but they’re still great songs. I liked every track. My favorites being straight outta Compton, fuck the police, if it ain’t ruff, something like that, Compton’s N the house remix, dopeman remix
Good album.
An absolute classic hip-hop album from NWA. Straight Outta Compton moved straight into the hearts of millions, even through all the controversy. In particular, after 6 months of playing Fuck Tha Police, Australia's youth radio station Triple J were censored from playing it, and subsequently staged a protest. The entire station went on strike and Express Yourself was put on repeat for 24 hours (350 times) instead of regular programming. The entre album is full of energy and angst, that allows everyone living outside their way of life to begin to understand and appreciate. Best: Fuck Tha Police; Express Yourself Worst: If It Ain't Ruff
Catchy, gritty and way ahead of its time.
Szalony matkojebca zwany Kostką Lodu!!! Uwielbiam tę płytkę, klasyka gangsta rapu w czystej postaci, 0 pozerki, sporo szokujących treści, a także relacji z tego co w sumie chłopaki doświadczali na co dzień. Klasyczne bity od Dr Dre się w sumie tak nie zestarzały, agresywny rap reszty chłopaków też zawsze miodne.
Straight up classic. This album was game-changing in so many ways. Taking p-funk samples and creating g-funk. The flow! Second to none. This album redefined rap, changing the West Coast paradigm and, without any question, powered the social movements that altered the whole course of the 1980s. The lyricsm, the power, the anger. It makes me genuinely a little bit sad that after 35+ years of young black men drawing attention to their issues, the systemic oppression... After god alone knows how many platinum records and oblivious people singing along to lyrics born out of pain, there's still bitches who only want them for their money. Straight Outta Compton has aged, it's true. The beats, the flow, the loops - have aged like fine wine. One could argue that the misogyny, homophobia and casual violence have aged like milk, but that might not be the best analogy. Misogyny is just as much a problem now as it was in the 1980s. Homophobia is thankfully decreasing, but in the US, at least, causal violence is still ever-present. As social commentary this album gets lots right and lots wrong. As music - it gets almost everything bang on right.
Love the whole damn thing
Great classic
-classic -used to listen to this in middle school on my walk to the bus stop in the mornings loll :))
Sick as fuck. Truly a classic.