N.W.A 21149 226033412 2008-07-16T15:07:27Z 24.56.253.174 /* The End of N.W.A */ {{dablink|This article is about the hip-hop group. For other uses, see [[NWA]].}} {{Infobox musical artist | Name = N.W.A | Img = Ruthless4Life.jpg | Img_capt = DJ Yella, Dr. Dre, MC Ren & Eazy-E | Landscape = yes | Background = group_or_band | Alias = Niggaz with Attitude<ref name="nwabio"/><br> The World's Most Dangerous Group<br>Tha Niggaz in Black | Origin = [[Compton, California]], [[USA]] | Genre = [[hip hop music|Hip hop]] <br /> [[West Coast hip hop]] <br /> [[Gangsta rap]] <br /> [[Electro-hop]] (early) | Years_active = 1987 - 1991<br /><small>(Partial reunion: 1999)</small> | Label = [[Ruthless Records|Ruthless]], [[Priority Records|Priority]] | Associated_acts = | URL = [http://www.nwalegacy.com www.nwalegacy.com] | Past_members = [[Eazy-E]] <br> [[Dr. Dre]] <br> [[MC Ren]] <br> [[DJ Yella]] <br> [[Ice Cube]] <br> [[Arabian Prince]] <br> [[The D.O.C.]] }} '''N.W.A''' ('''[[Nigga|Niggaz]] With Attitude''') was a [[Compton, California|Compton]], [[California]]-based [[hip hop music|hip hop]] group widely considered one of the seminal acts of the [[gangsta rap]] sub-genre.<ref name=MSNBC08302006>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14590820/ Former N.W.A manager Otto Kaiserauer talks gangsta rap]</ref> Active from [[1987]] to [[1991]], the group endured controversy due to the explicit nature of their lyrics. They were subsequently banned from many mainstream [[United States|U.S.]] [[radio station]]s and even at times prevented from [[Concert|touring]] - yet the group has still sold over 9 million units in the U.S. alone. Their second album, ''[[Straight Outta Compton]]'', marked the beginning of the new gangsta rap era as the production and the social commentary in their lyrics were revolutionary within the genre.<ref name="nwabio">{{cite web | last = Erlewine | first = Stephen Thomas | title = N.W.A. Biography | work = AllMusic.com | publisher = [[Allmusic]] | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0ifuxq95ld6e~T1 | accessdate = 2007-08-17 }}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked N.W.A. eighty-third on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".<ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty/ "100 Greatest Artists of All Time"], ''[[Rolling Stone]]''.</ref> Although largely unknown at the group's inception, rappers [[Dr. Dre]], [[Ice Cube]], [[Eazy-E]] and [[MC Ren]] would all go on to be [[Music recording sales certification|platinum]]-selling stars as solo artists. ==History== ===Origin=== [[Compton, California|Compton]] [[drug dealer]] [[Eazy-E]] began [[Ruthless Records]] with [[Jerry Heller]], a music industry veteran who recognized Eazy's charisma from their first encounter. Heller, who was already involved in the [[West Coast hip hop]] and [[electro hop]] scene, abandoned all of his projects for their new venture. A few artists from Alonzo Williams' [[Kru-Cut Records]] had been experiencing difficulties getting paid, and jumped ship to Ruthless, including [[World Class Wreckin' Cru]] [[DJ]]s [[Dr. Dre]] and [[Yella]], and C.I.A. rapper [[Ice Cube]]. Cube was primarily hired as an in-house [[ghostwriter]], and when one of his songs called "[[Boyz-n-the-Hood]]" was rejected, Eazy-E, despite not being an [[emcee]], decided to [[rapping|rap]] it himself.<ref>Huey, Steve. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gifexq95ld6e~T1 Eazy-E Biography]. [[Allmusic]]. Last accessed 2007-08-17.</ref> Despite his shortcomings, Eazy-E's high-pitched voice had a unique appeal, and a group was formed around Eazy: Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and electro artist the [[Arabian Prince]].<ref name="nwabio"/> Ruthless released ''[[N.W.A. and the Posse]]'' in 1987 with Macola Records. Although sometimes seen as N.W.A's debut album, it is actually a compilation of Ruthless artists, "the Posse" (which included the [[Fila Fresh Crew]], a group featuring future solo star and N.W.A songwriter [[The D.O.C.]]), and many of its songs had been previously released, such as the collaborations between Eazy-E and [[beatboxer]] Ron-De-Vu. N.W.A was still in its developing stages, and only credited on four of the eleven tracks, notably the uncharacteristic electro hop record "Panic Zone", "8 Ball", and "Dopeman", which first brought together (on wax) Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E. Also included was Eazy-E's solo record "Boyz-n-the Hood".<ref>Henderson, Alex. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:apfexqu5ldhe "N.W.A and the Posse" - Overview]. [[Allmusic]]. Last accessed August 17, 2007.</ref> In 1988 rapper [[MC Ren]] joined the group,<ref>Huey, Steve. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jpfixqt5ld6e~T1 MC Ren Biography]. [[Allmusic]]. Last accessed August 17, 2007.</ref> while [[Arabian Prince]] left (but would nonetheless be pictured on their next album cover, between DJ Yella and Ice Cube).<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/artist/Arabian+Prince,+The Arabian Prince, The<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> This personnel change marked the group's final transition before stardom. ==="The World's Most Dangerous Group"=== N.W.A released the groundbreaking ''[[Straight Outta Compton]]'' in 1988. Many considered it a wake-up call to the problems that were going on in the West Coast, particularly in their home of [[South Los Angeles|South Central Los Angeles]].<ref name="straightouttacomptonreview">Henderson, Alex. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Abqoibka9hakb "Straight Outta Compton" Review]. [[Allmusic]]. August 17, 2007.</ref> With its famous opening salvo of three songs, the group reflected the rising anger of the urban youth ("[[Straight Outta Compton (song)|Straight Outta Compton]]"), violently protested [[police brutality]] and [[racial profiling]] ("[[Fuck tha Police]]"), and painted the [[World view|worldview]] of the inner-city youth ("[[Gangsta Gangsta (N.W.A. song)|Gangsta Gangsta]]"). While the group was later credited with pioneering the burgeoning subgenre of [[gangsta rap]], N.W.A. in fact referred to their music as "reality rap".<ref>Duff, S.L. [http://music.yahoo.com/ar-259130-bio--NWA N.W.A. Biography]. [[Yahoo! Music]]. Last accessed August 17, 2007.</ref> Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, as High Powered Productions, composed the beats for each song, with Dre making occasional rapping appearances.<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/release/335575 N.W.A. - Gangsta Gangsta<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Ice Cube and, to a lesser extent, MC Ren, wrote the lyrics. "Fuck tha Police", perhaps the group's most notorious song, brought them into conflict with various [[law enforcement agencies]]. Under pressure from [[Focus on the Family]]<ref>{{cite book| last = Nuzum| first = Eric| title = [[Parental Advisory: Music Censorship in America]]| publisher = [[HarperCollins]]| date = 2001 | location = [[New York City]]| pages = 111| isbn =0688167721}}</ref> Milt Ahlerich, an assistant director of the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]], sent a letter to Ruthless and its parent company [[Priority Records]] advising the rappers that "advocating violence and assault is wrong and we in the law enforcement community take exception to such action". This letter can still be seen at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in [[Cleveland, OH]].<ref>[http://www.icecube.org/bio.php Ice Cube biography]</ref> Policemen refused to provide security for the group's concerts, hurting their plans to tour. Nonetheless, the FBI's letter only served to draw more publicity to the group. ''Straight Outta Compton'' was also one of the first albums to adhere to the new [[Parental Advisory]] label scheme, then in its early stages: the now-iconic label then only consisted of "WARNING: Moderate impact coarse language and/or themes". However, the taboo nature of N.W.A.'s music was the greatest part of its mass appeal. The media coverage compensated for N.W.A.'s virtual lack of airplay and their album eventually went double [[platinum album|platinum]].<ref name="straightouttacomptonreview"/> One month after ''Straight Outta Compton'', Eazy-E's solo debut was released. ''[[Eazy-Duz-It]]'' was dominated by Eazy's persona - MC Ren, appearing on two songs, was the only guest rapper - but behind the scenes it was a group effort. Music was handled by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, and the lyrics were largely written by Ren, with contributions from Ice Cube and The D.O.C. The album was another platinum success for Ruthless (in addition to girl group [[J.J. Fad]] in 1988 and singer [[Michel'le]] in 1989), also going double.<ref>[http://www.eazye.info/biography.html Eazy-E Biography at eazye.info]</ref> 1989 saw the re-issue of ''Straight Outta Compton'' on [[compact disc]], and the release of The D.O.C.'s ''[[No One Can Do It Better]]''. The album was essentially a collaboration between "The D.O.C. and The Doctor" and notably free of "Gangsta rap content", but culminated in the N.W.A. [[posse cut]] "The Grand Finalé". It would be another number one album for the group. ==="Departure"=== Ice Cube, the principal songwriter of the group, left in late-1989 over [[royalties|royalty]] disputes, having written over half of the "Compton" album himself but not getting fair share.<ref>Leigh, Danny. [http://film.guardian.co.uk/Feature_Story/feature_story/0,,140252,00.html Chillin' With Cube]. ''[[The Guardian]]'': February 25, 2000.</ref> He wasted little time putting together his solo debut, 1990's ''[[AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted]]'', but avoided mentioning his former labelmates. The only possible exception is an interlude dubbed "A Message to the Oreo Cookie", in which samples of racist dialogue from [[Spike Lee]]'s 1989 film ''[[Do The Right Thing]]'' are played, concluded by Ice Cube's "''Think about it... fuckin' sell-out''". While the ensuing song is a tirade against "[[Uncle Tom|house nigger]]"-type African Americans in general, in light of Ice Cube's grievances and later allegations, it could have been interpreted as a message to Eazy-E. N.W.A's next release some five months later, the EP ''[[100 Miles and Runnin']]'', would be equally diplomatic, and merely alluded to Ice Cube's departure in its eponymous single, stating the group "we started out with too much cargo/so I'm glad we got ridda [[Benedict Arnold]]". Also heard on the EP (which also found its way on [[Efil4zaggin]]) was "Real Niggaz", a full-blown diss on Cube where the remaining members accuse him of cowardice, and question his authenticity, longevity and originality: "How the fuck you think a rapper lasts/With your ass sayin shit, that was said in the past/Yo, be original, your shit is sloppy/Get off the dick, you motherfucking carbon-copy." The song "100 Miles and Runnin'" is also notable for being Dr. Dre's final [[uptempo]] record, which had been a common feature of late-80s hip hop. N.W.A. is referenced on Cube's 1990 EP, [[Kill at Will]], where he name-checks his former group (likely in a mocking manner) on the song "Jackin' For Beats". On "I Gotta Say What Up!!!", Cube gives shout-outs to his rap peers at the time, among them [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]], the [[Geto Boys]], [[Sir Jinx]], et cetera. At the end of the track, in what appears to be an on-the-phone interview, Ice Cube is asked, "Since you went solo, whatever happened to your crew?" and the interviewer is abruptly hung up on. The group's second full-length release, 1991's ''[[Efil4zaggin]]'' ("Niggaz4Life" spelled backwards), re-established the group in the face of Ice Cube's continued solo success. The album is considered by many Dr. Dre's finest production work, and heralded the beginning of the "[[G-Funk]] era". It also showed a clear animosity towards their former member, and derogatory references to Ice Cube are found in several songs. The interlude "A Message to B.A." echoes his "A Message to the Oreo Cookie": in it, Ice Cube is first addressed by the name "[[Benedict Arnold]]" (after the infamous [[Treason|traitor]] of the [[American Revolutionary War|American Revolution]]) but then named outright in a torrent of abuse from both the group and its fans: "''When we see yo' ass, we gon' cut yo' head off an' fuck you with a broomstick''", promised MC Ren. The N.W.A.-Ice Cube feud escalated. ''[[AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted]]'' had avoided direct attacks on N.W.A., but on ''[[Death Certificate (album)|Death Certificate]]'', Ice Cube’s second full-length released later that year, he fired back. He sampled and mocked the "Message to B.A." skit before embarking on a full-blown tirade, the infamous "[[No Vaseline]]". In a series of verses, Ice Cube addressed the group (and responded to "100 Miles and Runnin'", explaining "''I started off with too much cargo, dropped four niggas now I'm makin' all the dough''"), and then [[MC Ren]], [[Dr. Dre]] and especially [[Eazy-E]] individually, using homosexual [[metaphors]] to describe their unequal business relationship with [[Jerry Heller]], who becomes the target of very harsh criticism: "Get rid of that devil real simple, put a bullet in his temple." The song attracted controversy for its perceived [[Antisemitism|anti-Semitism]] (the beginning of such allegations involving Ice Cube) for referencing Heller's religion;<ref>Nuzum, 113.</ref> the track was omitted from the [[United Kingdom|U.K.]] release, and later pressings have had the words edited. The alleged slurs used in lines such as "you let a [[Jew]] break up my crew" however, could be explained away as the results of writing in rhyme. "No Vaseline" is considered one of the greatest diss records of all time right next to the known diss song, [[Hit 'Em Up]] by [[Tupac Shakur|2Pac]] and his rap group [[Outlawz|Tha Outlawz]]. The increasingly violent content was reflected in real life as well&mdash;on [[January 27]], [[1991]], Dr. Dre assaulted [[Dee Barnes]], host of the hip hop show ''Pump It Up'', after its coverage<ref>Rose, Tricia. ''Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America''. Wesleyan University Press, 1994. p179. ISBN 0819562750</ref> of the N.W.A./Ice Cube beef. According to ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' reporter Alan Light:<ref name="light">Light, Alan. "Beating Up the Charts." ''Rolling Stone'' 8 Aug. 1991. p66.</ref> {{cquote|He picked her up and "began slamming her face and the right side of her body repeatedly against a wall near the stairway" as his bodyguard held off the crowd. After Dre tried to throw her down the stairs and failed, he began kicking her in the ribs and hands. She escaped and ran into the women's rest room. Dre followed her and "grabbed her from behind by the hair and proceeded to punch her in the back of the head."}} Despite a lawsuit, the group was unrepentant. MC Ren later stated, "bitch deserved it"&mdash;Eazy-E, "yeah, bitch had it coming." As Dre described it: "People talk all this shit, but you know, somebody fuck with me, I'm gonna fuck with them. I just did it, you know. Ain't nothing you can do now by talking about it. Besides, it ain't no big thing&mdash;I just threw her through a door."<ref name="light"/> In this time as well the demographic which were interested in the group also began to change. Although they still rapped about similar themes of the "gangsta life" in [[Compton, California|Compton]] and [[South Central Los Angeles]], without [[Ice Cube]] they were not as serious and hardly political at all, as they were on ''Straight Outta Compton''. They turned to more of a self-parody and perhaps as a result their core audience became more whites living in the suburbs. As Allmusic Guide says, "Initially, the group's relentless attack appeared to be serious, vital commentary, and it even provoked the FBI to caution N.W.A's record company, but following Ice Cube's departure in late 1989, the group began to turn to self-parody. With his high-pitched whine, Eazy-E's urban nightmares now seemed like comic book fantasies, but ones that fulfilled the fantasies of the teenage white suburbanites who had become their core audience, and the group became more popular than ever."<ref>[http://wc09.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0ifuxq95ld6e~T1 allmusic ((( N.W.A > Biography )))<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. ===The End of N.W.A=== 1991's ''[[Efil4zaggin]]'' would be the group's final album. After Dr. Dre, The D.O.C. and Michel'le's departure from Ruthless for [[Death Row Records]], in which Eazy-E was allegedly [[coersion|coerced]] into signing away their contracts (while however retaining a portion of their publishing rights), a bitter rivalry ensued.<ref name="nwabio"/> Dr. Dre began the exchange with Death Row's first release, 1992's "[[Fuck Wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin')]]", and its accompanying video featured a character named Sleazy-E who ran around desperately trying to get money. The insults continued on ''[[The Chronic]]'' with "[[Bitches Ain't Shit]]". Eazy-E responded fantastically in 1993 with the famous EP ''[[It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa|It's On (<s>Dr. Dre</s>) 187um Killa]]'' and the legendary tracks "[[Real Muthaphuckkin G's]]" and "It's On". Eazy-E accused Dr. Dre of homosexual tendencies, calling him a "she thang", and the music video for "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" shows promo pictures of him wearing make-up and a sequined jumpsuit. It should be noted however that these photos were from Dr. Dre's [[World Class Wreckin' Cru]] days, and the fashion was in the style of the West Coast [[Electro hop]] that been popular before N.W.A.'s pioneering of Gangsta rap. After Eazy-E's [[AIDS]]-related death on [[March 26]], [[1995]], all bad blood between the group ceased. Dr. Dre and Ice Cube would later express their re-evaluated feelings to their old friend on 1999's "What's The Difference", 2000's "Hello", and 2006's "Growin' Up". ===Reunions and legacy=== Having both found themselves exploited by Ruthless Records, tensions eased between Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. The two recorded the hit song "[[Natural Born Killaz]]" for [[Snoop Doggy Dogg]]'s 1994 short film and soundtrack ''[[Murder Was the Case]]''. MC Ren appeared on Dre's 1999 album ''[[2001]]'', and the three remaining N.W.A emcees would reunite for "[[Hello (Ice Cube song)|Hello]]", from Ice Cube's [[2000 in music|2000]] album ''[[War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)]]'', featuring the hook "I started this gangsta shit/And this is the motherfuckin' thanks I get?". The West Coast and Gangsta music scene had however fallen out of the spotlight since the death of [[Tupac Shakur]] in 1996, and it was only after Dr. Dre's successful patronage of [[Eminem]] and his ensuing comeback album ''[[2001 (album)|2001]]'' would the genre and its artists regain the national spotlight. 2000's all-star [[Up In Smoke Tour]] would reunite much of the N.W.A. and Death Row families, and during time spent on the road Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and honorary member Snoop Dogg began recording in a mobile studio. A comeback album entitled ''Not These Niggaz Again'' was planned<ref>O'Connor, Christopher.[http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/569916/12071999/nwa.jhtml 1999 Reunited N.W.A Get Serious About Recording Album], [[VH1]].com, December 7, 1999.</ref> (and would include DJ Yella, who had not been present on the tour). But due to busy and conflicting schedules, and the obstacles of coordinating three different record labels ([[Priority Records|Priority]], [[No Limit Records|No Limit]] and [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]), obtaining the rights to the name "N.W.A.", and endorsing the whole project to gain exclusive rights, the album never materialized.<ref>Moss, Corey. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453589/20020424/nwa.jhtml N.W.A. May Still Have Attitude but They Don't Have an Album], [[MTV]].com, April 25, 2002.</ref> Only two tracks from these sessions would be released - "[[Chin Check]]" (with Snoop Dogg as a member of N.W.A.) from 1999's ''[[Next Friday (soundtrack)|Next Friday soundtrack)]]'' and "[[Hello (Ice Cube song)|Hello]]" from Ice Cube's 2000 album ''[[War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)]]'' - both songs would appear on N.W.A.'s [[remastering|remastered]] and re-released ''[[Greatest Hits (N.W.A.)|Greatest Hits]]''. There would also be partial reunions on "Set It Off", from Snoop Dogg's ''[[Tha Last Meal]]'' (2000), which featured MC Ren and Ice Cube as well as former Death Row "Inmates", and The D.O.C.'s "The Shit", from his 2003 album ''[[Deuce (The D.O.C. album)|Deuce]]'', which featured MC Ren, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Six-Two. [[Dr. Dre]] and [[DJ Yella]] have nothing to do with either song, however they were present in the studio for the latter. In addition to the ''Greatest Hits'' originally released by Priority in 1996, [[Capitol Records|Capitol]] and Ruthless Records released ''[[The N.W.A. Legacy, Vol. 1: 1988-1998]]'' in 1998, an album that contained only three songs from the actual group but various solo tracks from the five members. The success of the album prompted a second volume, ''[[The N.W.A. Legacy, Vol. 2]]'', two years later. It followed the same format of the first album, containing only three "N.W.A." tracks and many songs from them as solo artists. In 2007, a new greatest hits package was released, ''[[The Best of N.W.A. - The Strength of Street Knowledge]]''. ==Main Artists== ===Eazy-E=== {{main|Eazy-E}} Eric Wright was a [[Compton, California|Compton]] [[drug dealer]] when he founded [[Ruthless Records]] with [[Jerry Heller]], and the two would oversee numerous [[RIAA certification|platinum-selling]] releases, most notably those of N.W.A. He was said to be the leader of the group until they split up. After the group's break-up - while [[Death Row Records]] remade hip hop in its image - Eazy-E's solo career was largely dominated by his Hip hop rivalry Ruthless vs. Death Row feud with Dr. Dre, evidenced by records such as the EP ''[[It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa|It's On (<s>Dr. Dre</s>) 187um Killa]]''. Nonetheless, he continued to run Ruthless Records, releasing albums by [[MC Ren]], [[Above the Law (group)|Above the Law]], and in 1994, the four-times platinum debut of [[Bone Thugs-N-Harmony]]. Eazy was working on a come-back album, ''[[Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton]]'' which would have involved artists such as [[2Pac]], [[Guns N' Roses]] and [[Notorious B.I.G]] when he checked into [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]] on March 16 1995, believing he had [[strep throat]]. In a publicized statement on March 20, Eazy-E announced he had contracted [[HIV]], the virus that causes [[AIDS]]. Six days later, Eric Wright succumbed to the disease. He was 31. On his deathbed days before, Eazy married long-term girlfriend and mother of his child [[Tomica Wright|Tomica Woods]], and she inherited his share of Ruthless Records. She and her daughter are HIV-negative. ===Dr. Dre=== {{main|Dr. Dre}} [[South Central, Los Angeles|South Central]]'s Andre Young began his career as a [[DJ]] for [[electro-hop]] group the [[World Class Wreckin' Cru]], and was featured on their 1984 debut [[12-inch single]], "Surgery". The fashions of this period would come later back to haunt Dre. After two albums and allegations of mispayment, Dr. Dre fellow Wreckin' Cru DJ [[Yella]] left Alonzo William's [[Kru-Cut Records]] for [[Eazy-E]] and [[Jerry Heller]]'s Ruthless Records in 1986, where they would move into [[record production|production]]. After producing several platinum-selling albums for Ruthless, Dre found himself regarded as one of the top producers in hip hop but once again undercompensated for his work. Together with [[The D.O.C.]], he would leave to form [[Death Row Records]], and embark on a solo career unmatched by any of his N.W.A. alumni. Dr. Dre's 1992 solo ''[[The Chronic]]'' would introduce the world to the sounds of [[G-Funk]] and rapper [[Snoop Doggy Dogg]], whose five-times platinum debut would be the last album entirely produced by Dre. While Death Row began its near-domination of hip hop, this marked the end of Dr. Dre's prolific era. Dr. Dre left Death Row before its eventual self-destruction, and would form his own label, [[Aftermath Entertainment]]. After years of fruitless and failed projects, most notably that of the 1997 supergroup [[Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature Present The Firm: The Album|The Firm]], Dr. Dre's reputation would be vindicated with the phenomenal success of [[Eminem]] in 1999, leading to the [[West Coast hip hop|West Coast]] comeback album, ''[[2001 (album)|2001]]''. Dre's success continued with that of Eminem, and in a joint-venture, the two signed [[50 Cent]] in 2002, who would go on to sell over 20 million records. Dr. Dre meanwhile has developed into a master of the recording process, and maintains his status as hip hop's premier producer. A long delayed third solo album, ''[[Detox]]'', is speculated for release in late 2008. ===Ice Cube=== {{main|Ice Cube}} Ice Cube left N.W.A. at the peak of their popularity in late-1989 but would become a highly successful rapper in his own right. By 2006 he had released six solo albums. Whereas N.W.A. rapped about gang life on the street, Ice Cube continued to include social commentary on his records on subjects such as [[Gun politics|gun control]] in the ghetto and the [[1992 Los Angeles riots]]. His political albums are most remembered for referring to America as ''[[AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted|AmeriKKKa]]'', as well as addressing hypocracy and issues such as gang life and [[racism]]. All of his solo albums, except his first, debuted in the top five. His first three albums (''AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted'', ''Death Certificate'', and ''[[The Predator]]'') were big hits; they all achieved platinum status, and were greeted with rave reviews by critics. His fourth solo effort, ''[[Lethal Injection (album)|Lethal Injection]]'', was recorded on the back of projects with his crew, [[Da Lench Mob]], and starring in ''Boyz-N-The Hood''. Ice Cube has experienced success as a [[actor|film actor]] and [[film director|director]], starring in films such as ''[[Friday (film)|Friday]]'', Next Friday, Friday After Next, ''[[Three Kings (film)|Three Kings]]'', ''[[XXX: State of the Union|xXx: State of the Union]]'', ''[[Barbershop (film)|Barbershop]]'', and '' [[Are We There Yet?]]''. He has also released a [[Reality television|reality TV]] series in March 2006, named ''[[Black. White.]]''. He released his new album, ''[[Laugh Now, Cry Later]]'', in 2006 on his own [[Record label|record company]], [[Da Lench Mob Records]]. Ice Cube is set to realease his new album entitled [[Raw Footage]] in August 19th, 2008. ===MC Ren=== {{main|MC Ren}} MC Ren began a solo career under Eazy-E's Ruthless Records in 1988 after the Arabian Prince left the group, and after the death of his friend [[DJ Train]] he departed from Eazy-E's side. He remained on the record label, releasing four albums, including his first gold release and his critically acclaimed platinum LP ''Shock of the Hour'' which made him more an [[underground music|underground]] act than his former colleagues. In 2004, MC Ren announced plans for a project with West Coast political rapper [[Paris (rapper)|Paris]]. This turned out to be the [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]] album ''[[Rebirth of a Nation]]'' (2005). MC Ren is featured most prominently on two tracks, "Raw Shit" and "Hard Truth Soldiers". ===DJ Yella=== {{main|DJ Yella}} There was not much of a commercial solo career for DJ Yella to pursue, thus he was the lone member to remain loyal to Eazy-E after the breakup. He continued producing Eazy-E's records, including a couple of tracks for Eazy-E's protégés [[Bone Thugs-N-Harmony]]'s debut EP ''[[Creepin on ah Come Up]]''. He also claimed he was the lone member of N.W.A. to be at Eazy-E's deathbed when he died. After the death of his friend, DJ Yella released a solo album as a tribute to his former band-mate, but as with N.W.A., DJ Yella did not touch the mic; instead, he hired guest rappers such as [[Dirty Red]], [[Dresta]], Traci Nelson, Leicy Loc, [[B.G. Knocc Out]], and ''Efil4zaggin'' lyricist [[Kokane]] to perform. DJ Yella has since retired from the music business and is now directing [[pornographic film]]s. ===The D.O.C.=== {{main|The D.O.C.}} The D.O.C. joined N.W.A. in 1988 an official rapper. After the group's first album, ''[[N.W.A. and the Posse]]'', he left the group. However, after Ice Cube briefly left the group in 1989, The D.O.C. joined the group as a writer. He impressed them so much that he was kept in the group as a writer even after Ice Cube returned. The D.O.C. wrote lyrics on all of N.W.A.'s albums, particularly on the album ''[[Niggaz4Life|Efil4zaggin]]''. In 1989, The D.O.C. released his Dr. Dre-produced debut album, ''[[No One Can Do It Better]]''. Dr. Dre's production was similar to his production work for N.W.A. at the time, but he also included one rap/rock song and a [[reggae]]-influenced track. At a time when virtually every well known California rapper was releasing gangsta rap albums, The D.O.C. released an LP with lyrics that more closely resembled the styling of East Coast lyricists. Shortly after the album's release, The D.O.C. was involved in a car accident which severed his larynx, reducing his voice to a raspy wheeze. He went on to introduce Dr. Dre to Suge Knight and help mold the career of Snoop Dogg. The D.O.C. split with Death Row after a dispute over money, and recorded an ill-advised comeback album, ''[[Helter Skelter (album)|Helter Skelter]]'' in 1995. With his voice reduced to an ineffective rasp it didn't create the buzz his debut did. He returned to his hometown, Dallas, to form his record label and released his third album, ''[[Deuce (The D.O.C. album)|Deuce]]''. In 2007, he announced he may release another solo album after he and Dre put out [[Detox (Dr. Dre album)|Detox]]. ===Arabian Prince=== {{main|Arabian Prince}} Arabian Prince found the going tough when he departed the group for a solo career in 1988. His debut ''Brother Arab'' barely scraped the bottom of the R&B and Pop Charts in 1989. His album credits include ''Where's My Bytches'' as well as work on N.W.A.'s ''Straight Outta Compton'' and production for various other West Coast hip-hop artists. ==Discography== ''Main article: [[N.W.A. discography]]'' ===Albums=== *''[[N.W.A. and the Posse]]'' (1987) *''[[Straight Outta Compton]]'' (1988) *''[[100 Miles and Runnin']]'' (1990) *''[[Niggaz4life]]'' (1991) ===Compilations=== *''[[Greatest Hits (N.W.A.)|Greatest Hits]]'' (1996) *''[[Straight Outta Compton: N.W.A. 10th Anniversary Tribute]]'' (1998) *''[[The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 1: 1988-1998]]'' (1999) *''[[The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 2]]'' (2002) *''[[The Classic Collection]]'' (2006) *''[[The Best of N.W.A: The Strength of Street Knowledge]]'' (2006) *''[[Straight Outta Compton (20th Anniversary)]]'' (2007) ===Home Videos=== *''[[Niggerz4Life: The Only Home Video]]'' (1992) ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.nwalegacy.com Official site] * {{myspace|nwa}} {{N.W.A.}} [[Category:Ruthless Records artists]] [[Category:West Coast hip hop groups]] [[Category:Los Angeles musical groups]] [[Category:1980s music groups]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1986]] [[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1991]] [[Category:Dr. Dre]] [[Category:Supergroups]] [[Category:Ice Cube|Ice Cube]] [[bg:N.W.A]] [[lv:N.W.A.]] [[cs:N.W.A]] [[da:N.W.A.]] [[de:N.W.A.]] [[et:N.W.A]] [[es:N.W.A.]] [[fr:Niggaz With Attitude]] [[gd:N.W.A.]] [[hr:N.W.A.]] [[id:N.W.A.]] [[it:N.W.A.]] [[he:N.W.A]] [[nl:N.W.A]] [[ja:N.W.A.]] [[no:N.W.A.]] [[pl:N.W.A.]] [[pt:N.W.A]] [[fi:N.W.A.]] [[sv:N.W.A.]]