One of the biggest and most controversial acts in hip hop history, NWA popularised the genre of gangsta rap – accidentally or incidentally winning over millions of white suburban teenagers in the process, whilst simultaneously offending the greater part of ‘respectable’ America.
Formed in LA, 1986 by Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, and Ice Cube, the quartet would later be joined by MC Ren and DJ Yella. Unfailingly unapologetic, NWA celebrated drugs, sex, violence, the thug life and an utter contempt for authority. It started with 1988’s Straight Outta Compton – which quickly went double-platinum, this was followed up with just one more album, 1991’s Niggaz4Life.
In their short but volatile 5 year stint, NWA sold millions of units all over the world – despite causing enough trouble to warrant an FBI caution of their record company, and blanket bans on American commercial radio. In 1992, Dr. Dre struck out on his own – spelling the end of the NWA and setting a trend for many ex members to succeed in solo careers of their own. Their influence lives on today, you’d have to search far and wide to find a hip hop act that doesn’t directly or indirectly pay homage to NWA’s gloriously OTT bars and funked up rhythm.
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Eazy-E, Compton
Photo by: Derek Ridgers
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N.W.A. Compton, 1990
Photo by: Derek Ridgers
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Ice Cube posing – B&W
Photo by: Kevin Cummins
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Ice Cube, 1992
Photo by: Waring Abbott
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Ice Cube 51 St
Photo by: Kevin Cummins
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N.W.A., Los Angeles, 1990
Photo by: Derek Ridgers
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Eazy-E Live
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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Ice Cube from N.W.A.
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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Laylaw from Above The Law and Ice Cube from N.W.A.
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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Ice Cube and Dr. Dre from N.W.A. perform
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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Eazy-E & Ice Cube of NWA performing
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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Ice Cube & The Lench Mob
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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Ice Cube at the China Club
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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NWA & Eazy-E
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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Eazy-E on stage
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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NWA backstage
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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Ice Cube & Eazy-E on stage
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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A young Dr Dre
Photo by: Raymond Boyd
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