Straight Outta Compton [Explicit Lyrics]

N.W.A. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Priority Records
• ASIN: B000003B6J
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (202 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,764 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Straight Outta Compton

2. _ _ _ _ Tha Police

3. Gangsta Gangsta

4. If It Ain't Ruff

5. Parental Discretion Iz Advised

6. 8 Ball (Remix)

7. Something Like That

8. Express Yourself

9. Compton's In The House (Remix)

10. I Ain't Tha 1

11. Dopeman (Remix)

12. Quiet On Tha Set

13. Something 2 Dance 2

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A lone voice sneers "You are about to witness the strength of street knowledge," and with that warning the greatest-ever gangsta album begins. Then these Niggas with Attitude--wicked rhymes by Ice Cube, Easy E, and MC Ren; soulful production courtesy Dr. Dre; beats provided by DJ Yella--come barreling into your face, just daring you to ignore the streets of Compton (or any American city) even one day longer. From the anti-police brutality anthem "F__k Tha Police" to the angry, unflinching realism of "Gangsta Gangsta," to the pro-free speech "Express Yourself," this is slammin' and ruthless. --David Cantwell

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 52 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Reaching the vertex of gangsta rap - 5 stars! April 18, 2005

By Alan Pounds

Format:Audio CD

"Straight Outta Compton" created a revolution in gangsta rap; influencing countless acts to follow in their footsteps. It's a common misconception to think that this was the first gangsta rap album ever. The album was originally released in 1988. Shocking narratives of ghetto street life were in full effect at this time, originally brought forth by Ice-T, and Schoolly D in 1987. But "Straight Outta Compton" is arguably the best when it comes down to history in the making. The stories held within are frightening, and riveting; thought provoking and unapologetic. Main members, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube (founder), MC Ren and Eazy-E, paint a vivid picture of L.A.'s rough and tough Compton ghetto. You really feel the empathy of the life that they live through their brutally honest delivery of pain, anger and the need to be heard. The lyrical content provides powerful images of poverty, guns, violence, police, bi***es and the overall mindset of living in the ghetto.

The record sounds insanely fresh and perfect; which is quite a feat, since production value in hip-hop has come a long way since 1988. The beats sound funky, innovative and most importantly, they serve as a winning template for their engrossing lyrical flows. Although you wouldn't know it by the tones in their voices, their is a fair amount of comic relief to balance out the record. A lot of these same things can be said about other classic gangsta rap albums, but this one clearly broke the mold, reaching kids in the middle of suburbia. There is a large amount of shock value involved, especially for pre-teen white kids. If only on tape or CD, this album was the introduction of these frightening concepts to many of these kids.... From beginning to end, these guys show you just where they come from, right down to the philosophy of every day life. There would be several wannabe MCs to follow, but none of them possessed a fraction of the skill held by the likes of Ice-T or N.W.A. In fact, this record runs a lot like the early hardcore rap style of Public Enemy (without their message). Ice Cube left the group in late 1989 to pursue his solo career. Dr. Dre left the group in 1992, after their last album "Niggaz4life", to pursue his soon to be legendary solo career, and record label, Death Row Records.

If you listen to rap music, you were in some way influenced by this album. "Straight Outta Compton" may be their seminal work from the late 1980s; but the presence of N.W.A. was captured throughout the 90s; since Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, Eazy-E, and The D.O.C. all had successful solo careers, based on of the success of this stunning masterpiece. Comparatively, they're a lot like the Beatles, as far as rap music is concerned. "Straight Outta Compton" is a raw, beautifully crafted, unprecedented masterpiece. Parental Discretion Iz Advised. Read more ›

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Rap's "Appetite for Destruction" March 17, 2006

By Daniel Maltzman

Format:Audio CD

I'm reviewing "Straight Outta Compton" (1988) from a different perspective than most reviewers. While I like some rap and can certainly appreciate the gene, I'm not a huge rap fan. I'm a rocker, first and foremost, and this review is aimed specifically for people who aren't all that much into rap.

N.W.A's debut "Straight Outta Compton" can be seen as the rap counterpart to Guns N' Roses debut "Appetite for Destruction" (1987). Released within a year of each other; both albums showcase tales of inner-city debauchery, drug and alcohol excess, with a sense of nothing to loose. Both albums feel very real, very lived in, and remain powerful sentiments of what it's like to grow up and live in abject poverty, through the eyes of society's misfits.

Because the rap genre has become so saturated and mainstream, it's hard to imagine the impact "Straight Outta Compton" had upon its release and discovery. Little suburban white kids all across America heard first-hand accounts of life in the inner-city streets of the United States. I remember listening to this album back in the early 90s and remember what an impact it had on me. It dispelled a lot of myths by telling my totally ignorant brain what life is really like for oppressed minorities in the forgotten ghettos of what I had always been told was a great country, fair to everyone, regardless of race, color or creed (hey, I grew up in Reagan/Bush middle-America!) While rap sometimes seems to glamorize "thug-life" or wind-up as self-parody (a problem that would later besiege the post-Ice Cube N.W.A) this is never a problem with "Straight Outta Compton."

Honesty can get you only so far, however, without the skills. The reason "Straight Outta Compton" is as great as it is, is because of the enormous talent involved.... Featuring a very young Ice Cube, Eazy E, MC Ren, Yella, and Dr Dre, N.W.A. was a supergroup of Rap/Hip-Hop's greatest talent before any of them had become known. Poetic lyrics flowing with ease; the songs, sometimes humorous, sometimes ugly, tell the listener the grim realities of urban poverty. Even at a very young age, it is apparent that all five were first rate producers, rappers, and lyricists, as each song possesses an infectious groove and a catchy beat. "Straight Outta Compton," the opening track, can be seen as Rap's "Welcome to the Jungle," while "F.ck the Police" sticks it to the man like no other. "Gangsta Gangsta," probably the album's most memorable song, is lyrically one of Ice Cube's most authentically bad-ass moments. Elsewhere on the album, Dre's "Express Yourself" is probably the album's catchiest (and most radio-friendly) song, while Eazy-E's "Eight Ball" remains a rap classic. The rest of the album, while not quite as memorable, is still first rate.

Going on twenty years as of this writing; "Straight Outta Compton" sounds as fresh and relevant today as it did upon its release. Even if rap isn't your thing, this album is well worth owning as it offers the best of the genre. If you buy only one rap album in your life "Straight Outta Compton" is the one to get. Read more ›

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Parental Discretion Iz Advised. August 29, 2002

By Jeffrey M. Zinn

Format:Audio CD

The first five tracks of this groundbreaking disc are the most powerful in rap. Bar none. Period. This disc is critical to the understanding, progression and growth of rap as a form of musical expression and art. And because NWA spawned so many influential artists, this disk is critical listening for any student of rap.

I am of two minds about the violent lyrics on this disc. I don't like the idea of violence, but I think its important to view the violence expressed on this album in the context of (1) what was happening in LA at the time of its release and (2) the fact that an element of rap is fictionalization and exaggeration.

If you are new to rap and just beginning to enjoy to the genre, I recommend this disc. It is an excellent entre both to the gangsta style and the talents of Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy E, and the rest of the NWA Crew.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The First Classic Gangsta Rap CD April 25, 2001

By Amin

Format:Audio CD

Ok well, you might ask yourself, who is the NWA? They ain't just some fools from Compton, they compose of six of the most lethal rappers who ever touched a mic, and one of the most creative DJ's who is known to create chaos on the wheels of steel (Technics 1200 turntable). You got people like Dr Dre, Ice Cube, and Eazy-E providing lyrics that cross the line of explict by a mile. If that isn't enough you have MC Ren, The D.O.C. and Arabian Prince (Brother Rab) in the backseat also spitting madness on the album. The whole CD in general has its highs, and lows. Also it provides a variety of styles. "COMPTON'S N THE HOUSE (REMIX)" is Dre and MC Ren rapping live on stage with cutting by Yella. "STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON" is a classic gangsta rap track with really dope bass and beat production by Dr Dre. Eazy-E's "8-BALL (REMIX)" is a story about him and his beer which sounds very familar for its 1988 setting. If you want to hear the explict lyrics I was talking about listen to "GANGSTA GANGSTA" AND "F--- THA POLICE" with heavy influence from Ice Cube. My personal favorite is when the NWA combines some of its electro beats with hip-hop flavor when Arabian Prince and the rest of the NWA on the track "SOMETHING TO DANCE TO". Also upcoming star The D.O.C. who was famous for his song "IT'S FUNKY ENOUGH" which was released a year later, appears on "PARENTAL DISCRETION IS ADVISED". The ONLY "clean" tracks on the album are "SOMETHING TO DANCE TO", "QUIET ON THA SET", and "EXPRESS YOURSELF". But don't let this album get to your head. When you listen to it, remember that these guys told everyone in interviews that they aren't gangbangers, they just use that image to make money.... For example, Ice Cube isn't really from the "hood". He went to the classy San Fernando Valley High School and took drafting classes at a university in Arizona. Dr Dre and Yella both were part of the famous World Class Wreckin Cru who performed songs wearing sequins, make-up, lip gloss, and more. You might know Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Dr Dre, and MC Ren for their solo CDs, but you haven't really been a fan of them until you peep this album first. This is NWA's second album and went gold when it orginally released in 1988. Enjoy the album when you get it though, this is really a classic in any old skool or gangsta rap collection. Read more ›