Baller Alert’s Today in Hip-Hop: N.W.A. Released Debut Album “Straight Outta Compton” 30 Years Ago

On August 8, 1988, 30 years ago today, West Coast gangsta rap group, N.W.A. released their debut studio album, “Straight Outta Compton,” on Eazy-E’s label Ruthless Records. 

Produced by group members, Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, the album served as an introduction to gangsta rap, as it highlighted the lifestyle and experiences of the hood through profanity and violent lyrics. 

With singles such as “Straight Outta Compton,” “Gangsta Gangsta” and “Express Yourself” the album reached triple platinum sales status. However, as a result of other songs like, “F**k the Police,” which was nixed from the censored version of the album, “Straight Outta Compton” sparked resistance by government and law enforcement officials.  

Since then, the album has been remastered, re-released and extended with bonus tracks. It has also since been deemed one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone. In 2017, the album was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or artistically significant.” 

However, “Straight Outta Compton” was N.W.A.’s only release with rapper Ice Cube before he left in 1989.

What is your favorite song from this album?

MsJennyb

Jen is a Writer and Content Curator for Baller Alert, who writes under the alias “MsJennyb.” In this role, Jen develops and contributes relevant special-themed content to attract readers. Before joining the Entertainment Industry via Baller Alert, Jen spent one year as a Freelance Writer and two years as a Human Resources assistant in a corporate office. Jen has a degree in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University with a concentration in Africana Studies.

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