Editing N.W.A

{{short description|American hip hop group}}
{{about|the hip hop group||NWA (disambiguation){{!}}NWA}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
<!-- PLEASE NOTE BEFORE EDITING THIS PAGE that the official name of the group is "N.W.A" without a period after the "A"—the full name is spelled "Niggaz Wit Attitudes"; see talk page and archives for details. -->
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = N.W.A
| image             = NWA, all band members.jpg
| landscape         = yes
| caption           = Complete N.W.A lineup in 1988 <br />(left to right) [[Arabian Prince]], [[MC Ren]], [[Ice Cube]], {{nowrap|[[Eazy-E]]}}, [[DJ Yella]], [[Dr. Dre]]
| origin            = [[Compton, California]], U.S.
| genre             = {{hlist|[[West Coast hip hop]]|[[gangsta rap]]}}
| years_active      = {{flatlist|
* 1987–1991<ref name="quintet">{{cite web |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title=Unreleased Eazy-E Tracks Coming In March |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1451563/unreleased-eazy-e-tracks-coming-in-march/ |publisher=[[MTV News]] |date=December 19, 2001 |access-date=November 17, 2019 |archive-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102192937/http://www.mtv.com/news/1451563/unreleased-eazy-e-tracks-coming-in-march/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 1999–2001<ref name="Baker">{{cite web |last=Baker |first=Soren |title=N.W.A Reunion Propels 'Next Friday' Soundtrack |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-12-ca-43001-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=December 12, 1999 |access-date=November 25, 2019 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805201818/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-12-ca-43001-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="O'Connor">{{cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Christopher |title=Reunited N.W.A Get Serious About Recording Album |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/569916/reunited-nwa-get-serious-about-recording-album/ |publisher=MTV News |date=December 7, 1999 |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=October 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016201604/http://www.mtv.com/news/569916/reunited-nwa-get-serious-about-recording-album/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Moss">{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Corey |title=N.W.A May Still Have Attitude, But They Don't Have An Album |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1453589/nwa-may-still-have-attitude-but-they-dont-have-an-album/ |publisher=MTV News |date=April 24, 2002 |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108143012/http://www.mtv.com/news/1453589/nwa-may-still-have-attitude-but-they-dont-have-an-album/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 2015
* 2016
}}
| label             = {{hlist|[[Ruthless Records|Ruthless]]|[[Priority Records|Priority]]}}
| module            = {{Infobox
| child             = yes
| title             = '''Logo'''
| headerstyle       = background:#b0c4de
| image             = [[File:Nwa-Logo.svg|200px]]
}}
| past_members      = * [[Arabian Prince]]
* [[Dr. Dre]]
* [[Eazy-E]]
* [[Ice Cube]]
* [[DJ Yella]]
* [[MC Ren]]
}}

'''N.W.A''' (an abbreviation for '''Niggaz Wit Attitudes'''<ref>{{cite book| last = Potter| first = Russell| title = Spectacular Vernaculars: Hip-Hop and the Politics of Postmodernism| publisher = [[State University of New York Press]]| year = 1995| location = New York City| page = 50| isbn = 0-7914-2625-4}}</ref><ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|title=N.W.A|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p77/biography|pure_url=yes}}|access-date=August 17, 2007|website=allmusic}}</ref>) was an American [[Hip-hop|hip hop]] group formed in [[Compton, California]] in 1987. Among the earliest and most significant figures of the [[gangsta rap]] subgenre, the group is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential acts in [[Hip-hop|hip hop music]].<ref name="NWA">{{cite book |last=White |first=Miles |title=From Jim Crow to Jay-Z: Race, Rap and the Performance of Masculinity |publisher=[[University of Illinois Press]] |location=Urbana, IL |year=2011 |pages=64; 74 |isbn=978-0-252-03662-0}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Kennedy |first=Gerrick D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t_euDgAAQBAJ |title=Parental Discretion Is Advised: The Rise of N.W.A and the Dawn of Gangsta Rap |date=2017-12-05 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-5011-3493-7 |pages=2–5 |language=en |quote=Also on the marquee was Eazy-E, the “Godfather of Gangsta rap” and founder of the most notorious hip-hop group of all time, N.W.A. (...) |access-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531042954/https://books.google.com/books?id=t_euDgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Active from 1987 to 1991,<ref name="quintet"/> N.W.A endured controversy owing to their music's explicit lyrics, which many viewed as misogynistic or homophobic, as well as to its glorification of drugs and crime.<ref>{{cite web |title=NWA Biography |url=http://www.nwaworld.com/biography.php |website=www.nwaworld.com |quote=...&nbsp;a self-consciously violent and dangerous lyrical stance ...&nbsp;ridiculously violent and misogynist lyrics. |publisher=NWA World |access-date=December 25, 2014 |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221025632/http://nwaworld.com/biography.php |url-status=live }}</ref> The group was subsequently banned from many mainstream American radio stations. In spite of this, they have sold over ten million units in the United States alone. Drawing on its members' own experiences of [[Racism in the United States|racism]] and [[Police brutality|excessive policing]], N.W.A made inherently political music.<ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/08/straight-outta-compton-nwa/401279/ "Straight Outta Compton and the Social Burdens of Hip-Hop"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109220528/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/08/straight-outta-compton-nwa/401279/ |date=November 9, 2020 }}. ''[[The Atlantic]]''. Retrieved August 20, 2017</ref> N.W.A's consistent criticisms of [[institutional racism]] within the [[Law enforcement in the United States|American police]] significantly contributed to the political awareness and involvement of American youth against [[racism]].

The original lineup, formed in early 1987,<ref name="quintet"/> consisted of [[Arabian Prince]], [[Dr. Dre]], [[Eazy-E]], and [[Ice Cube]], with [[DJ Yella]] and [[MC Ren]] joining later that year. They released their first compilation album as a group in 1987, called ''[[N.W.A. and the Posse]]'', which peaked at No. 39 on ''Billboard'' magazine's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and it was followed by their debut studio album ''[[Straight Outta Compton]]'' (1989).<ref name="release date">Contrary to the album's copyright and publishing date of 1988, the following sources indicate that ''Straight Outta Compton'' was not officially released until at least early 1989:
* {{Cite web|title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=N.W.A&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |access-date=2025-01-11|website=RIAA|language=en-US}}
* {{Cite web|title=Interview: Ice Cube Talks About The Making of Eazy-E's "E... |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/rob-kenner/ice-cube-interview-easy-e|access-date=2025-01-11|website=Complex|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox52unse_43/page/10/mode/2up?q=%22straight+outta+compton%22 |title=Cash Box |date=1989-05-27|publisher=Cash Box Pub. Co.|others=William and Mary Libraries Special Collections Research Center}}
* {{Cite web |title=Ice Cube -Interview|url=http://www.bombhiphop.com/newbomb/bombpages/articles/MC/Ice%20Cube.htm |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=www.bombhiphop.com}}
* {{Cite web |title=WebVoyage Record View 1|url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=3&ti=1,3&Search_Arg=SL-57102&Search_Code=FT%2A&CNT=25&PID=mf_kKwkC7FBPdnenlyJPcowLdqzQm&SEQ=20250416180536&SID=70 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=[[Copyright Catalog|cocatalog.loc.gov]]}}
* {{Cite web |title=How a Dallas rapper made his mark, even after losing his voice|url=https://www.chron.com/culture/music/article/the-doc-dallas-nwa-rapper-20202467.php |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=[[Chron.com]]}}
* {{Cite web |title=Ice Cube Keeps Cool . . . Chills Clash|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-03-25-ca-441-story.html |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}
* {{Cite web |title=Hip-Hop Nostalgia: N.W.A. "Straight Outta Compton" (Press Kit, 1988-1989)|url=https://www.hiphopnostalgia.com/2021/08/nwa-straight-outta-compton-press-kit.html |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=hiphopnostalgia.com}}</ref> Arabian Prince left N.W.A. in October 1988, about three months before the release of ''Straight Outta Compton'', with Ice Cube following suit in December of the following year.<!-- Before changing the date to January 1990, please see [[Talk:N.W.A#Date of Ice Cube's departure]]. --> Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and Dr. Dre later became [[Music recording sales certification|Platinum]]-selling solo artists in their own right in the 1990s. Eazy-E died from [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]] on March 26, 1995.

The group's debut album marked the beginning of the new [[gangsta rap]] era, as the production and social commentary in their lyrics were revolutionary within the genre. N.W.A's second and final studio album, ''[[Niggaz4Life]]'' (1991), was the first [[Hardcore hip hop|hardcore rap]] album to reach number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] sales charts.<ref name="allmusic" /> In general, N.W.A had a lasting impact on generations of hip-hop artists and, in the late '80s, played a crucial role in shaping [[Rapping|rap]] as it evolved in the subsequent generations, both musically and lyrically. Moreover, the group was credited with being the first to open up rap to a [[White Americans|white American]] audience, contributing to the rapid spread of rap within the American population in general, starting from the late 1980s.<ref name=":0" />

''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked N.W.A at number 83 on its [[Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time|list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time"]].<ref name=":2">[https://web.archive.org/web/20061017054537/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/the_immortals "100 Greatest Artists of All Time"], ''[[Rolling Stone]]''.</ref> In 2016, the group was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]],<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> following three previous nominations. In 2024 they received the [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dillon |first=Nancy |date=2024-02-04 |title=N.W.A, Gladys Knight Score Laughs, Praise With Lifetime Achievement Grammys |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nwa-gladys-knight-donna-summer-grammys-1234960249/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
===Formation and "Panic Zone" (1987–1988)===
[[File:Uncle Jam's Army - Eazy-E and N.W.A. 1988 Skateland Concert Poster.jpg|thumb|175px|Poster for one of N.W.A's first concerts at a Compton skating rink, 1988]]
N.W.A was assembled by [[Compton, California|Compton]]-based [[Eazy-E]], who co-founded [[Ruthless Records]] with [[Jerry Heller]]. Eazy-E sought an introduction to Steve Yano. Although Yano initially rebuffed him, he was impressed by Eazy-E's persistence, and arranged a meeting with [[Dr. Dre]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-apr-14-tm-37890-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 14, 2002 |access-date=July 26, 2015 |archive-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510055234/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/apr/14/magazine/tm-37890 |url-status=live }}</ref> Initially, N.W.A consisted of Eazy-E and Dr. Dre. Together with fellow producer [[Arabian Prince]], [[Ice Cube]] was added to the roster after he had started out as a rapper for the group [[C.I.A. (group)|C.I.A.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=The Posse Project |url=http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/the_posse_project/ |website=Phoenix New Times |access-date=January 17, 2011 |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317235708/http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/the_posse_project/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Dre later brought [[DJ Yella]] on board as well.<ref>{{cite web|title=DJ Yella interview|url=http://www.aftermathmusic.com/blog/?page_id=226|publisher=AftermathMusic.com|access-date=January 17, 2011|archive-date=November 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126100853/http://www.aftermathmusic.com/blog/?page_id=226|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dre and Yella were both formerly members of the [[World Class Wreckin' Cru]] as DJs and producers. Ruthless released the single "[[Panic Zone]]" in 1987 with Macola Records, which was later included on the compilation album ''[[N.W.A. and the Posse]]''. N.W.A was still in its developing stages, and is only credited on three of the eleven tracks, notably the uncharacteristic record "Panic Zone", "8-Ball", and "Dopeman", which marked the first collaboration of Arabian Prince, DJ Yella, Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube. Mexican rapper Krazy-Dee co-wrote "Panic Zone", which was originally called "Hispanic Zone", but the title was later changed when Dr. Dre advised Krazy-Dee that the word "hispanic" would hinder sales.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cizmar |first=Martin |url=http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/2010/03/krazy_d_what_happened_after_nw.php?page=3 |title=Krazy D: What Happened After N.W.A. and the Posse? |work=Phoenix New Times |date=March 22, 2010 |access-date=April 11, 2012 |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715075613/http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/2010/03/krazy_d_what_happened_after_nw.php?page=3 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Also included was Eazy-E's solo track "[[Boyz-n-the-Hood]]".<ref>Henderson, Alex. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r28138|pure_url=yes}} "N.W.A and the Posse" – Overview] [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved August 17, 2007.</ref>

===''Eazy-Duz-It'' and ''Straight Outta Compton'' (1988–1989)===
N.W.A released their debut studio album, ''[[Straight Outta Compton]]'', in January 1989.<ref name="release date" /> With its famous opening salvo of three tracks, the group reflected the rising anger of the urban youth. The opening song "[[Straight Outta Compton (song)|Straight Outta Compton]]" introduced the group, "[[Fuck tha Police]]" protested [[police brutality]] and [[racial profiling]], and "[[Gangsta Gangsta (N.W.A song)|Gangsta Gangsta]]" painted the [[World view|worldview]] of the inner-city youth. While the group was later credited with pioneering the burgeoning subgenre of [[gangsta rap]], N.W.A referred to their music as "reality rap".<ref>Duff, S.L. [http://music.yahoo.com/ar-259130-bio--NWA N.W.A. YA BOY Biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814193417/http://music.yahoo.com/ar-259130-bio--NWA |date=August 14, 2007 }}. [[Yahoo! Music]]. Retrieved August 17, 2007.</ref>

Twenty-six years later, member and co-producer of the ''Straight Outta Compton'' film, Ice Cube, commented "they were talking about what really led into the style that we ended up doing, which is now called hardcore gangster rap."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ice-cube-on-n-w-as-reality-rap-and-straight-outta-compton-movie-106622/|title=Ice Cube On N.W.A's 'Reality Rap' And 'Straight Outta Compton' Movie|last=Grow|first=Kory|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 20, 2016|date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403204606/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ice-cube-on-n-w-as-reality-rap-and-straight-outta-compton-movie-106622/|url-status=live}}</ref> Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, as HighPowered Productions, composed the beats for each song, with Dre making occasional rapping appearances. The D.O.C., Ice Cube, and MC Ren wrote most of the group's lyrics, including "Fuck tha Police", perhaps the group's most notorious song, which 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]] |location=New York City |year=2001 |page=[https://archive.org/details/parentaladvisory00nuzu/page/111 111] |isbn=0-688-16772-1}}</ref> Milt Ahlerich, an assistant director of the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] sent a letter to Ruthless and its distributing 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]], [[Ohio]].<ref name="20th Anniversary">{{cite news |last=Boucher |first=Geoff |title=Rapper Ice Cube talks about the 20th anniversary of N.W.A's ''Straight Outta Compton'' |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-compton16-2008aug16,0,4400312.story |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 16, 2008 |access-date=August 24, 2008 |archive-date=August 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819233504/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-compton16-2008aug16,0,4400312.story? |url-status=live }}</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 still in its early stages: the label at the time consisted of "WARNING: Moderate impact coarse language and/or themes" only. However, the taboo nature of N.W.A's music was the most important factor of its mass appeal. Media coverage compensated for the group's lack of airplay, and its album eventually went double [[Platinum album|platinum]].<ref name="straight out of comptonreview">{{cite web |last=Huey |first=Steve |title=Straight Outta Compton > Overview |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r186556 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=August 17, 2007 |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726120146/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r186556 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two months before ''Straight Outta Compton'', Eazy-E's solo debut ''[[Eazy-Duz-It]]'' was released.<ref name="release date" /> The album was dominated by Eazy's persona (MC Ren was the only guest rapper) but behind the scenes it was a group effort.

Music was handled by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella; the lyrics were largely written by MC Ren, with contributions from Ice Cube and [[The D.O.C.]] The album was another double platinum success for Ruthless<ref>{{cite web |author=Nadia Vega |url=http://www.Easye.info/biography.html |title=Biography #5 &#124; Amazing Pictures and Wallpapers &#124; World Amazing Pictures and HD Wallpapers |publisher=Easye.info |date=May 17, 2015 |access-date=July 26, 2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127224845/http://easye.info/biography.html |archive-date=January 27, 2016 }}</ref> (in addition to girl group [[J.J. Fad]] in 1988 and singer [[Michel'le]] in 1989). 1989 saw the reissue of ''N.W.A and the Posse'' on CD, and the release of The D.O.C.'s ''[[No One Can Do It Better]]''. His album was essentially a collaboration with Dr. Dre and notably free of "gangsta rap" content, including the N.W.A [[posse cut]] "The Grand Finalé". It became another #1 album for the record label.

===''100 Miles and Runnin''' and ''Niggaz4Life'' (1989–1991)===
Ice Cube left the group in December 1989<!-- Before changing the date to January 1990, please see [[Talk:N.W.A#Date of Ice Cube's departure]]. --> over [[royalties|royalty]] disputes;<ref name="allmusic" /> having written almost half of the lyrics on ''Straight Outta Compton'' himself, he felt he was not getting a fair share of the profits.<ref>Leigh, Danny. [http://film.guardian.co.uk/Feature_Story/feature_story/0,,140252,00.html "Chillin' With Cube"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018043451/http://film.guardian.co.uk/Feature_Story/feature_story/0,,140252,00.html |date=October 18, 2007 }}. ''[[The Guardian]]'', February 25, 2000.</ref> A lawsuit brought by Ice Cube against band manager Jerry Heller was settled out of court.<ref>Ice Cube: Attitude, Joel McIver, p.70, Foruli Classics, 2012</ref> He wasted little time putting together his solo debut, 1990's ''[[AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted]]'', but he avoided mentioning his former label mates. N.W.A's title track from their 1990 [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[100 Miles and Runnin']]'', however, included a [[wikt:diss|diss]] towards Cube:
''"We started with five, but yo / One couldn't take it—So now it's four / Cuz the fifth couldn't make it."'' The video for the song depicted the remaining members of N.W.A together in a jail cell, while an Ice Cube look-alike is released.

Also heard on the EP (which found its way on the ''[[Efil4zaggin]]'' album) was "Real Niggaz", a full-blown diss to Ice 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 motherfuckin' carbon-copy"'', and ''"We started out with too much cargo / So I'm glad we got rid of [[Benedict Arnold]], yo."''

The song "[[100 Miles and Runnin' (song)|100 Miles and Runnin']]" was Dr. Dre's final [[uptempo]] recording, which had been a common feature of late 1980s hip hop. After this, he focused on a midtempo, [[synthesizer]] based sound which became known as [[G-funk]], starting with "[[Alwayz Into Somethin']]" from ''Efil4zaggin'' in 1991. The G-funk style dominated both the West and East Coast hip hop music scene for several years to come.

N.W.A is referenced on Ice 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!!!", Ice Cube gives shout-outs to his rap peers at the time, among them [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]], [[Geto Boys]], and [[Sir Jinx]]. At the end of the track, in what appears to be an on-the-phone interview, Ice Cube is asked, "Since you went solo, what's up with the rest of the crew?" and the phone is abruptly hung up on the interviewer.

The group's second full-length release, 1991's ''Efil4zaggin'' ("Niggaz4Life" spelled backwards), re-established the band in the face of Ice Cube's continued solo success. The album is considered by many Dr. Dre's finest production work, and it 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 the beginning of his song "Turn Off the Radio" from ''AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted'': Ice Cube is first addressed by the name Benedict Arnold (after the infamous 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' hair off and fuck you with a broomstick"'' spoken by MC Ren.<ref name="Nuzum, p. 113">Nuzum, p. 113.</ref>

The N.W.A–Ice Cube feud eventually escalated, both on record and in real life. ''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 release, he retaliated. 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 verbally assaulted the group: ''"You lookin' like straight bozos / I saw it comin' that's why I went solo / Kept on stompin' / When y'all Muthafuckas moved Straight outta Compton / You got jealous when I got my own company / But I'm a man, and ain't nobody humpin' me."''<ref name="Nuzum, p. 113"/>

He also responded to members MC Ren, Dr. Dre, and Eazy-E individually to "100 Miles and Runnin'", claiming ''"I started off with too much cargo / Dropped four niggaz and now I'm makin' all the dough"'', using homophobic metaphors to describe their unequal business relationship with Jerry Heller, who became the target of harsh insults:
''"Get rid of that devil real simple / Put a bullet in his temple / Cuz you can't be the 'Niggaz 4 Life' crew / With a white [[Jew]] tellin' you what to do."'' The song attracted controversy for its [[antisemitism]] (the beginning of such accusations against Ice Cube during his affiliation with the [[Nation of Islam]]), based on the bashing of Heller's religion.<ref name="Nuzum, p. 113"/>

The track was omitted from the UK release, and later pressings included a censored version of the song. In September 1990, members of hip hop act [[Above the Law (group)|Above the Law]] clashed with Ice Cube and his posse [[Da Lench Mob]] during the annual [[New Music Seminar]] conference, forcing the latter to flee the premises of [[Times Square]]'s [[New York Marriott Marquis|Marriott Marquis]], the venue of the event.<ref name="blackwell">Blackwell, Mark. "No More Rap Music At New Music Seminar?", ''Spin'', October 1990, p. 22.</ref> On January 27, 1991, Dr. Dre assaulted [[Dee Barnes]], host of the hip hop show ''Pump It Up'', after its coverage<ref>{{cite book| last = Rose| first = Tricia| title = Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America| publisher = [[Wesleyan University Press]]| year = 1994| location = Middletown, Connecticut| page = [https://archive.org/details/blacknoiserapmus0000rose/page/179 179]| isbn = 0-8195-6275-0| url = https://archive.org/details/blacknoiserapmus0000rose/page/179}}</ref> of the N.W.A/Ice Cube beef. According to ''Rolling Stone'' reporter Alan Light:
{{Blockquote|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."<ref name="light"/>}}

In response, Dre commented: "People talk all this shit, but you know, if somebody fucks 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—I just threw her through a door."<ref name="light">Light, Alan. "Beating Up the Charts". ''Rolling Stone'', August 8, 1991, p. 66.</ref>

===The end of N.W.A (1991–1995)===
[[File:Eazy-E.jpg|thumb|Eazy-E (pictured in 1993) feuded with the other former members of the group until his death in 1995.]]
1991's ''Niggaz4Life'' was the group's final album. After Dr. Dre, The D.O.C. and Michel'le departed from Ruthless to join [[Death Row Records]] and allegations over Eazy-E being coerced into signing away their contracts (while however retaining a portion of their publishing rights), a bitter rivalry ensued.<ref name="allmusic" /> Dr. Dre began the exchange in 1992 with Death Row's first release, "[[Fuck Wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin')]]", and its accompanying video featured a character named "Sleazy-E" (played by actor [[Anthony Johnson (actor)|A.J. Johnson]]) who ran around desperately trying to get money. The insults continued on ''[[The Chronic]]'' with "Bitches Ain't Shit". Eazy-E responded in 1993 with the EP ''[[It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa|It's On (<s>Dr. Dre</s>) 187um Killa]]'' on the tracks "[[Real Muthaphuckkin G's]]" and "It's On".

Eazy-E accused Dr. Dre of being a homosexual, calling him a "she thang", and criticizing Dre's new image by calling him and Snoop "studio gangsters". The music video for "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" showed a still of Dre wearing make-up and a sequined jumpsuit. The photos dated back to Dr. Dre's World Class Wreckin' Cru days, when such fashion was common among West Coast electro hop artists, prior to N.W.A's popularization of gangsta rap. Eazy-E kept dissing Dre and Death Row on most of his songs until his [[AIDS]]-related death on March 26, 1995.

Even Eazy-E's longtime friend MC Ren voiced his dislike for Eazy-E in 1994, calling Eazy-E a "big-head" and "wannabe mega-star", and even suggesting that N.W.A should reunite without Eazy-E.<ref>O'Connor, Christopher. [https://www.flickr.com/photos/21630929@N04/2096147512/in/photolist-4qm9F3-4qm7Bw-4qm8vJ-4cewG9-4qm72w-4qm991-4ca3Yn-4caiSc-4ca35t-4ceiCm-4cehAW-vhKRw4-vhKR3P Shock Treatment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915224612/https://www.flickr.com/photos/21630929@N04/2096147512/in/photolist-4qm9F3-4qm7Bw-4qm8vJ-4cewG9-4qm72w-4qm991-4ca3Yn-4caiSc-4ca35t-4ceiCm-4cehAW-vhKRw4-vhKR3P |date=September 15, 2016 }}, [[The Source (magazine)|The Source]], February 7, 1994.</ref> MC Ren later said that the only relationship he had with Eazy-E was through Ruthless Records, where he released the platinum-selling EP ''[[Kizz My Black Azz]]'' (1992) and the album ''[[Shock of the Hour]]'' (1993). Eazy-E and MC Ren ended their feud shortly before the former's death in their 1995 duet '"[[Tha Muthaphukkin' Real]]" after two years of not talking to each other. All bad blood finally ceased within the rest of the group. Dr. Dre, MC Ren and Ice Cube later expressed their re-evaluated feelings to their old friend on 1998's "Ruthless for Life", 1999's "What's the Difference" and "[[Chin Check]]", 2000's "[[Hello (Ice Cube song)|Hello]]", 2006's "Growin' Up", and in the 2011 music video "[[I Need a Doctor]]".

===Reunions (1995–present)===
Having both parted with Ruthless Records on bad terms, tensions between Ice Cube and Dr. Dre eventually eased on their own. After Ice Cube made a [[cameo appearance]] in Dr. Dre's "[[Let Me Ride]]" video in 1993, the two recorded the hit song "[[Natural Born Killaz]]" for [[Snoop Dogg]]'s 1994 short film and soundtrack ''[[Murder Was the Case]]''. Ice Cube also later appeared on MC Ren's album ''[[Ruthless for Life]]'' on the track "[[Comin' After You]]". MC Ren appeared on Dre's 1999 album ''[[2001 (Dr. Dre album)|2001]]'', and the three remaining N.W.A emcees reunited for "[[Hello (Ice Cube song)|Hello]]" on Ice Cube's 2000 album ''[[War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)]]'', and the song "[[Chin Check]]" in 1999 for the [[Next Friday (soundtrack)|''Next Friday'' soundtrack]], a movie starring Ice Cube.<ref name="Baker"/>

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 Dre's ensuing comeback album ''[[2001 (Dr. Dre album)|2001]]'' that the genre and its artists regained the national spotlight. 2000's all-star [[Up In Smoke Tour]] reunited much of the N.W.A and Death Row families, and during time spent on the road, Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, featured special guest Snoop Dogg<ref>{{cite web |last=Ives |first=Brian |title=Dr. Dre Talks N.W.A. Reunion; Track Surfacing On "Next Friday" |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1428261/dr-dre-talks-nwa-reunion-track-surfacing-on-next-friday/ |publisher=MTV News |date=November 17, 1999 |access-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124051355/http://www.mtv.com/news/1428261/dr-dre-talks-nwa-reunion-track-surfacing-on-next-friday/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="O'Connor"/><ref name="Moss"/><ref name="Hoglund">{{cite web |last=Hoglund |first=Andy |title=A Brief History of N.W.A. Collaborations Post-N.W.A. |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-brief-history-of-nwa-collaborations-post-nwa/ |publisher=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127181626/https://www.vice.com/en/article/65zqvq/a-brief-history-of-nwa-collaborations-post-nwa |url-status=live }}</ref> and Eminem began recording in a mobile studio. A comeback album entitled ''Not These Niggaz Again'' was planned<ref>O'Connor, Christopher. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/569916/nwa-at-work-on-reunion.jhtml Reunited N.W.A Get Serious About Recording Album] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516015648/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/569916/nwa-at-work-on-reunion.jhtml |date=May 16, 2013 }}, [[MTV]], December 7, 1999.</ref> (and included DJ Yella, who had not been present on the tour).

However, due to busy and conflicting schedules as well as 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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031004122855/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453589/20020424/nwa.jhtml |date=October 4, 2003 }}, [[MTV]], April 25, 2002.</ref> Only two tracks from these sessions were released: the aforementioned "[[Chin Check]]" (with Snoop Dogg as a member of N.W.A) from 2000'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 also appeared on N.W.A's [[Audio mastering|remastered]] ''[[Greatest Hits (N.W.A)|Greatest Hits]]''. There were also partial reunions on other projects, notably "Set It Off", from Snoop Dogg's ''[[Tha Last Meal]]'' (2000), which featured MC Ren and Ice Cube, and The D.O.C.'s "The Shit", from his 2003 album ''[[Deuce (The D.O.C. album)|Deuce]]'', featuring MC Ren, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Six-Two. Dr. Dre and DJ Yella were present in the studio for the latter song.

In addition to the ''Greatest Hits'' initially released by Priority in 1996, [[Capitol Records|Capitol]] and Ruthless Records jointly released ''[[The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 1: 1988–1998]]'' in 1999, a compilation that contained songs by other rap artists and 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]]'', three years later. It emulated the format of its predecessor, containing only three genuine N.W.A tracks and many solo efforts by the crew members. In 2007, a new greatest hits package was released, entitled ''[[The Best of N.W.A: The Strength of Street Knowledge]]''.

In 2014, Ice Cube appeared on MC Ren's remix for "[[Rebel Music (song)|Rebel Music]]". This was the first time the duo had worked together since the N.W.A reunion in 2000.<ref>Tardio, Andres. [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29007/title.mc-ren-announces-ice-cube-reunion-disses-this-era-of-rap MC Ren Announces Ice Cube Reunion, Disses This Era Of Rap] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104202251/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29007/title.mc-ren-announces-ice-cube-reunion-disses-this-era-of-rap |date=November 4, 2014 }}, [[HipHopDX]], May 30, 2014.</ref>

On June 27, 2015, MC Ren and DJ Yella joined Ice Cube during his solo set as part of the BET Experience show at the [[Staples Center]] in [[Los Angeles, California]]. This marked the first reunion performance of the group (minus Dr. Dre) in 15 years. Following a 27-year hiatus, the group reunited with surviving members Ice Cube, MC Ren, Dr. Dre and DJ Yella taking the stage during the second weekend of the [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]] in April 2016, just days following the group's Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame induction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://radio.com/2016/04/24/nwa-reunites-at-coachella-with-ice-cube-dr-dre-dj-yella-mc-ren/ |title=N.W.A. Reunites at Coachella with Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, MC Ren « |website=Radio.com |date=April 24, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821233234/http://radio.com/2016/04/24/nwa-reunites-at-coachella-with-ice-cube-dr-dre-dj-yella-mc-ren/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-ms-coachella-2016-l-dr-dre-joins-ice-cube-at-coachellas-second-weeke-1461473732-htmlstory.html |title=Dr. Dre joins Ice Cube for Coachella's second weekend |newspaper=LA Times |date=April 24, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-date=August 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823083447/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-ms-coachella-2016-l-dr-dre-joins-ice-cube-at-coachellas-second-weeke-1461473732-htmlstory.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Members==
* [[Eazy-E]] – vocals (1987–1991; died 1995)
* [[Dr. Dre]] – production, vocals (1987–1991, 1999–2001, 2016)
* [[Ice Cube]] – vocals (1987–1989, 1999–2001, 2015, 2016)
* [[DJ Yella]] – DJ, production (1987–1991, 2000–2001, 2015, 2016)<ref name="Stalled">{{cite web |last1=Heller |first1=Greg |title=N.W.A. Reunion Stalled |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/n-w-a-reunion-stalled-178148/ |website=RollingStone.com |access-date=24 March 2024 |date=26 November 2001 |archive-date=March 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324003126/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/n-w-a-reunion-stalled-178148/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[MC Ren]] – vocals (1988–1991, 1999–2001, 2015, 2016)
* [[Arabian Prince]] – production, vocals (1987–1988)

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
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Colors =
  id:vocals    value:red         legend:Vocals
  id:tables    value:lavender    legend:Turntables
  id:samples   value:lightpurple legend:Samples
  id:keys      value:purple      legend:Keyboards
  id:drums     value:orange      legend:Drum_machine
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  id:lines2    value:gray(0.75)  legend:Other_release
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  at:01/25/1989 color:lines layer:back
  at:11/06/1987 color:lines2 layer:back
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BarData =
  bar:E        text:"Eazy-E"
  bar:Cube     text:"Ice Cube"
  bar:Ren      text:"MC Ren"
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  bar:Arabian  text:"Arabian Prince"

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  width:11 textcolor:black align:left

  bar:Arabian  from:start      till:10/01/1988 color:drums
  bar:Arabian  from:start      till:10/01/1988 color:keys   width:7
  bar:Arabian  from:start      till:10/01/1988 color:vocals width:3

  bar:Yella    from:05/01/1987 till:11/01/1991 color:samples
  bar:Yella    from:05/01/1987 till:11/01/1991 color:tables width:7
  bar:Yella    from:05/01/1987 till:11/01/1991 color:drums  width:3
  bar:Yella    from:07/07/2000 till:11/26/2001 color:tables
  bar:Yella    from:07/07/2000 till:11/26/2001 color:samples width:3
  bar:Yella    from:06/01/2015 till:07/01/2015 color:tables
  bar:Yella    from:06/01/2015 till:07/01/2015 color:samples width:3
  bar:Yella    from:04/01/2016 till:05/01/2016 color:tables
  bar:Yella    from:04/01/2016 till:05/01/2016 color:samples width:3

  bar:Dre      from:start      till:11/01/1991 color:tables
  bar:Dre      from:start      till:11/01/1991 color:keys    width:9
  bar:Dre      from:start      till:11/01/1991 color:drums   width:7
  bar:Dre      from:start      till:11/01/1991 color:Vocals  width:3
  bar:Dre      from:07/01/1999 till:11/26/2001 color:drums   width:7
  bar:Dre      from:07/01/1999 till:11/26/2001 color:samples width:3
  bar:Dre      from:07/01/1999 till:11/26/2001 color:Vocals 
  bar:Dre      from:04/01/2016 till:05/01/2016 color:Vocals

  bar:E        from:start      till:01/01/1992 color:Vocals

  bar:Cube     from:start      till:12/01/1989 color:Vocals
  bar:Cube     from:07/01/1999 till:11/26/2001 color:Vocals
  bar:Cube     from:06/01/2015 till:07/01/2015 color:Vocals
  bar:Cube     from:04/01/2016 till:05/01/2016 color:Vocals

  bar:Ren      from:05/02/1988 till:11/01/1991 color:Vocals
  bar:Ren      from:07/01/1999 till:11/26/2001 color:Vocals
  bar:Ren      from:06/01/2015 till:07/01/2015 color:Vocals
  bar:Ren      from:04/01/2016 till:05/01/2016 color:Vocals

}}

==Legacy==
===Musical legacy===
[[File:Fuck the police very much! (6265498914).jpg|thumb|"Fuck the police" graffiti in [[Cairo]], 2011]]
Although the group disbanded in 1991, it remains one of the greatest and most influential hip-hop groups,<ref name="NWA" /><ref name=":1" /> leaving a lasting legacy on hip hop music in the following decades.<ref name="NWA"/> Its influence, from the use of funky, bass-driven beats to its exaggerated lyrics, was evident throughout the 1990s and even into the present, and is often credited as bridging the white/black American musical lines with its appeal to white Americans in the late 1980s.<ref name=":0">White, Miles (2011). ''From Jim Crow to Jay-Z: Race, Rap and the Performance of Masculinity''. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press. pp. 64, 74. {{ISBN|978-0-252-03662-0}}</ref> The group's influence, impact and initial rejection by [[critic]]s and cultural elites was compared to the [[Sex Pistols]] for [[Rock and roll|rock]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kennedy |first=Gerrick D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t_euDgAAQBAJ |title=Parental Discretion Is Advised: The Rise of N.W.A and the Dawn of Gangsta Rap |date=2017-12-05 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-5011-3493-7 |pages=7 |language=en |access-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531042954/https://books.google.com/books?id=t_euDgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first album of the group, ''[[Straight Outta Compton]]'', has been described by Gerrick D. Kennedy as one of the loudest "big bangs" in [[Hip hop music|hip-hop music]] and a "a sonic [[Molotov cocktail]] that ignited a firestorm when it debuted in the summer of 1988".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kennedy |first=Gerrick D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t_euDgAAQBAJ |title=Parental Discretion Is Advised: The Rise of N.W.A and the Dawn of Gangsta Rap |date=2017-12-05 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-5011-3493-7 |pages=6 |language=en |quote=Of the many big bangs that have transformed rap over the decades, N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton is one of the loudest. It was a sonic Molotov cocktail that ignited a firestorm when it debuted in the summer of 1988. Steered by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella’s dark production and Ice Cube and MC Ren’s striking rhymes, and brought to life by Eazy-E’s wicked charm, the record fused the bombastic sonics of Public Enemy’s production with vicious lyrics that were revolutionary or perverse, depending on whom you asked. |access-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531042954/https://books.google.com/books?id=t_euDgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, ''Straight Outta Compton'' was selected for preservation in the United States [[National Recording Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]], who deemed it to be "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2016 |title=National Recording Registry Picks Are 'Over the Rainbow' |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-17-029/ |access-date=March 29, 2016 |website=Library of Congress |archive-date=March 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329190218/https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-17-029/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

They were influential in appearance of [[West Coast hip hop|West]] and [[East Coast hip hop]] genres and artists,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-09 |title=N.W.A {{!}} Pioneers of Gangsta Rap, West Coast Hip-Hop {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/NWA |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027040534/https://www.britannica.com/topic/NWA |url-status=live }}</ref> as well in development of [[Alternative metal|alternative]] and [[nu metal]] acts such as [[System of a Down]], [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]] and [[Korn]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-25 |title=System of a Down's Daron Malakian: The Albums That Made Me |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/system-down-and-scars-broadways-daron-malakian-albums-made-me |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Revolver |language=en |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810010857/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/system-down-and-scars-broadways-daron-malakian-albums-made-me |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=2016-03-16 |title=Slipknot Singer Praises N.W.A Rock Hall Induction |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/slipknot-singer-on-n-w-as-rock-hall-induction-thats-rock-roll-233304/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=March 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318222727/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/slipknot-singer-on-n-w-as-rock-hall-induction-thats-rock-roll-20160316 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Connick |first=Tom |date=2017-05-09 |title=20 years of nu-metal: the rise, fall and revival of rock's most maligned offshoot |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/09/20-years-nu-metal-rap-rock-korn-kerrang |access-date=2024-03-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=May 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509150214/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/09/20-years-nu-metal-rap-rock-korn-kerrang |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Political legacy===
N.W.A were among the first to popularize [[Politics|political speech]] within rap.<ref name=":02">{{cite book|access-date=2023-12-24|date=2017-06-06|first1=Bryan J.|isbn=978-0-8173-1948-9|language=en|last1=McCann|publisher=University of Alabama Press|title=The Mark of Criminality: Rhetoric, Race, and Gangsta Rap in the War-on-Crime Era|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0xOtDgAAQBAJ}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Wilson |first=Natalie |date=2018-09-05 |title=Rap Music as a Positive Influence on Black Youth and American Politics |url=https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/engl_176/21 |journal=Pop Culture Intersections |access-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927014456/https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/engl_176/21/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Despite significant controversies regarding [[misogyny]] or [[homophobia]] in the lyrics of certain songs,<ref name=":02" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Adams |first1=Terri M. |last2=Fuller |first2=Douglas B. |date=July 2006 |title=The Words Have Changed but the Ideology Remains the Same: Misogynistic Lyrics in Rap Music |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0021934704274072 |journal=Journal of Black Studies |language=en |volume=36 |issue=6 |pages=938–957 |doi=10.1177/0021934704274072 |s2cid=143525484 |issn=0021-9347 |access-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221181140/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0021934704274072 |url-status=live }}</ref> the group left a significant mark on [[American politics]], and more generally, worldwide. This was notably achieved by offering a dissenting discourse in response to the state speeches during the [[Law and order (politics)|War on Crime]] era.<ref name=":02" /> Such discourse was later adopted by numerous artists. N.W.A's repeated attacks against the [[institutional racism]] of the [[Law enforcement in the United States|American police]], particularly with the song "[[Fuck tha Police]]", played a crucial role in the politicization of [[African Americans|African-American]] youth and subsequently in the politicization of [[White Americans|White American]] youth against [[police brutality]] and, more broadly, [[racism]].<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":6" />

In the 1980s and 1990s, rap was perceived by [[Politics of the United States|American political elites]] as an "existential threat" to the United States social order.<ref name=":02" /> According to researcher Bryan J. McCann:<ref name=":02" /><blockquote>The political and cultural mainstream of the 1980s regarded [[gangsta rap]] as a genuine threat to the social order rather than a playful destabilization of the period’s law-and-order discourses. (...) Indeed, a seismic cultural force had emerged (...) NWA’s iconic album became a popular window into black inner-city life by enacting, exaggerating, and celebrating the practices and locales at the heart of 1980s law-and-order politics. In other words, the album represented an alternative, and business-savvy, rendition of the mark of criminality.</blockquote>More specifically, the song "Fuck tha Police," like other songs from the group, became a symbol of resistance against [[neoliberalism]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Edgar |first=Amanda Nell |date=2016-08-07 |title=Commenting Straight from the Underground: N.W.A., Police Brutality, and YouTube as a Space for Neoliberal Resistance |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1041794X.2016.1200123 |journal=Southern Communication Journal |language=en |volume=81 |issue=4 |pages=223–236 |doi=10.1080/1041794X.2016.1200123 |s2cid=148149757 |issn=1041-794X |access-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224145624/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1041794X.2016.1200123 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Legacy among artists===
In Dr. Dre's 1999 single "[[Forgot About Dre]]", [[Eminem]] paid homage to the group, rapping "So what do you say to somebody you hate / Or anyone tryna bring trouble your way? / Wanna resolve things in a bloodier way? / Just study a tape of N.W.A", possibly referring to the negative reception of N.W.A's works by mainstream radio, which considered the group's songs violent and thus unusable for radio.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Dre – Forgot About Dre Lyrics |url=http://rapgenius.com/Dr-dre-forgot-about-dre-lyrics |publisher=[[Rap Genius]] |access-date=October 13, 2012 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025132502/http://rapgenius.com/Dr-dre-forgot-about-dre-lyrics |url-status=live }}</ref>

A scene in the music video for the 2005 single "[[Hate It or Love It]]" by [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]] featuring [[50 Cent]] shows [[Tequan Richmond]] and Zachary Williams (portraying a youthful Game & 50 Cent respectively) being caught [[Graffiti in the United States|spraypaint]]ing "N.W.A" on a wall, resulting in their subsequent arrest by two policemen. The Game also has a tattoo that says "N.W.A" on the right side of his chest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hip-Hop Smackdown: It's All a Game |url=http://www.playahata.com/pages/eyecalone/hiphopsmackdown.htm |publisher=Playahata.com |access-date=October 16, 2012 |archive-date=June 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623071256/http://www.playahata.com/pages/eyecalone/hiphopsmackdown.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Biopic===
{{main|Straight Outta Compton (film)}}
[[New Line Cinema]] representatives announced to ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'s'' "Hollywood Insider Blog" that N.W.A's story was in development to become a feature film for theatrical release in 2012. However, it was delayed to sometime in 2014. The script was researched and written by filmmaker [[S. Leigh Savidge]] and radio veteran [[Alan Wenkus]], who worked closely with Eazy-E's widow, Tomica Woods-Wright.<ref name="ramos">Ramos, Mike [http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/compton-writer-is-straight-outta-seattle/ 'Compton' writer is straight outta Seattle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408051246/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/compton-writer-is-straight-outta-seattle/ |date=April 8, 2023 }} ''Seattle Times''. September 5, 2015</ref> Ice Cube and Dr. Dre act as producers of the film. In September 2011, [[John Singleton]]<ref name="Singleton to direct Straight Outta Compton Biopic">{{cite web |last=Green |first=Emily |date=September 21, 2011 |title=John Singleton & Ice Cube Plan N.W.A. Biopic "Straight Outta Compton" |url=http://la.guestofaguest.com/la-style/john-singleton-ice-cube-plan-nwa-biopic-straight-outta-compton/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125193544/http://la.guestofaguest.com/la-style/john-singleton-ice-cube-plan-nwa-biopic-straight-outta-compton |archive-date=November 25, 2011 |access-date=April 11, 2012 |publisher=Guest of a Guest}}</ref> was selected as director. Ice Cube and Singleton previously collaborated on ''[[Boyz n the Hood]]'', a movie that was nominated for an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]], and Ice Cube also played the part of the character "Fudge" in Singleton's ''[[Higher Learning]]''.<ref name="hiphopdx.com">Meara, Paul. [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27626/title.ice-cube-wants-his-son-o-shea-to-play-him-in-n-w-a-biopic "Ice Cube Wants His Son O'Shea To Play Him In N.W.A Biopic {{!}} Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales | HipHop DX"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303173737/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27626/title.ice-cube-wants-his-son-o-shea-to-play-him-in-n-w-a-biopic |date=March 3, 2014 }}. ''[[HipHopDX]]''. Cheri Media Group. February 22, 2014.</ref>

[[Casting call]]s began in the summer of 2010. There were rumors of [[Lil Eazy-E]] playing his late father Eazy-E, and Ice Cube's son and fellow rapper [[O'Shea Jackson Jr.]] playing his father as well. Ice Cube stated of the movie, "We're taking it to the nooks and crannies, I think deeper than any other article or documentary on the group," he said. "These are the intimate conversations that helped forge N.W.A. To me, I think it's interesting to anybody who loves that era and I don't know any other movie where you can mix Gangster Rap, the F.B.I., L.A. riots, HIV, and fucking feuding with each other. This movie has everything from Darryl Gates and the battering ram."<ref name="hiphopdx.com" />

In August 2012, [[F. Gary Gray]] was selected as director rather than Singleton.<ref>Homie, Big. (August 13, 2012) [http://rapradar.com/2012/08/13/n-w-a-movie-begins-filming/ N.W.A Movie Begins Filming] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829000349/http://rapradar.com/2012/08/13/n-w-a-movie-begins-filming/|date=August 29, 2013}}. Rap Radar. Retrieved on 2014-04-11.</ref> The film, named ''[[Straight Outta Compton (film)|Straight Outta Compton]]'', had been picked up by [[Universal Pictures]] who hired Jonathan Herman<ref>{{cite web |title=Jonathan Herman |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1003900/ |access-date=April 11, 2014 |publisher=IMDb.com}}</ref> in December 2013 to draft a new script and brought in [[Will Packer]] to executive produce.<ref>[http://www.vibe.com/article/nwa-biopic-straight-outta-compton-brings-writer N.W.A. Biopic 'Straight Outta Compton' Brings On Writer]. Vibe (December 19, 2013). Retrieved on 2014-04-11.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140110141518/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1720046/straight-outta-compton-nwa-movie-fantasy-cast.jhtml N.W.A Casting Call: Who Should Play Ice Cube, Dr. Dre In 'Straight Outta Compton'?]. MTV.com (January 8, 2014). Retrieved on 2014-04-11.</ref> On February 21, 2014, director F. Gary Gray announced a March 9, 2014 open casting call for the film via his [[Twitter]] account.<ref>[http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/f-gary-gray-announces-open-casting-call-for-nwa-biopic-details Director F. Gary Gray Announces Open Casting Call For N.W.A. Biopic (Details) | Shadow and Act] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819212352/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/f-gary-gray-announces-open-casting-call-for-nwa-biopic-details|date=August 19, 2014}}. Blogs.indiewire.com. Retrieved on April 11, 2014.</ref> There were also open casting calls in [[Atlanta]] and [[Chicago]].<ref>[http://www.projectcasting.com/casting-calls-and-auditions/n-w-a-straight-outta-compton-acting-auditions-for-lead-roles/ N.W.A Straight Outta Compton Acting Auditions for Lead Roles – Project Casting] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104185750/http://www.projectcasting.com/casting-calls-and-auditions/n-w-a-straight-outta-compton-acting-auditions-for-lead-roles/|date=November 4, 2014}}. Projectcasting.com. Retrieved on April 11, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/03/13/nwa-biopic-to-hold-casting-call-in-chicago/ 'N.W.A.' biopic to hold casting call in Chicago – Chicago Tribune] . Articles.chicagotribune.com (March 13, 2014). Retrieved on 2014-04-11.</ref> Rapper [[YG (rapper)|YG]] auditioned to play MC Ren in the film.<ref>[http://rapradar.com/2014/03/21/the-breakfast-club-interviews-yg-dj-mustard/ The Breakfast Club Interviews YG & DJ Mustard] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407095248/http://rapradar.com/2014/03/21/the-breakfast-club-interviews-yg-dj-mustard/|date=April 7, 2014}}. Rap Radar (March 21, 2014). Retrieved on 2014-04-11.</ref> The project was scheduled to start filming in April 2014 but was pushed backed due to casting delays.<ref>[http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/ice-cube-nwa-biopic-set-shooting-april Ice Cube: NWA biopic set for shooting in April] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702123856/http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/ice-cube-nwa-biopic-set-shooting-april|date=July 2, 2017}}. The Voice Online (February 20, 2014). Retrieved on 2014-04-11.</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=January 10, 2014 |title=Straight Outta Casting Hell: A Refresher Course on the Possibly Reignited N.W.A Feud « |url=http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/eazy-e-casting-in-nwa-movie-controversial/ |access-date=July 26, 2015 |publisher=Grantland.com |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626051116/http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/eazy-e-casting-in-nwa-movie-controversial/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 30, 2014 |title=Ice Cube Reveals Why He Wouldn't Cast Lil Eazy-E For N.W.A. Flick &#124; For The Best In Hip-Hop News |url=http://www.sohh.com/2014/07/ice_cube_reveals_why_he_wouldnt_cast_lil.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814062037/http://www.sohh.com/2014/07/ice_cube_reveals_why_he_wouldnt_cast_lil.html |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2015 |publisher=SOHH.com}}</ref>

On June 18, 2014, Universal announced that the N.W.A biopic ''Straight Outta Compton'' would be released August 14, 2015. Ice Cube's son, O'Shea Jackson Jr., plays a younger version of his father in the movie, while [[Jason Mitchell (Actor)|Jason Mitchell]] plays Eazy-E, [[Corey Hawkins (actor)|Corey Hawkins]] plays Dr. Dre, [[Aldis Hodge]] plays MC Ren, and [[Neil Brown Jr.]] plays DJ Yella.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lee |first=Ashley |date=June 18, 2014 |title=[PHOTO&#93; N.W.A. Biopic 'Straight Outta Compton' First Look |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/photo-nwa-biopic-straight-outta-712846 |magazine=Hollywood Reporter |access-date=July 26, 2015 |archive-date=July 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702143036/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/photo-nwa-biopic-straight-outta-712846 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 29, 2014 |title=NWA Biopic 'Straight Outta Compton' Finds Its MC Ren and DJ Yella |url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/nwa-biopic-straight-outta-compton-finds-its-mc-ren-and-dj-yella |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812211620/http://www.movieweb.com/news/nwa-biopic-straight-outta-compton-finds-its-mc-ren-and-dj-yella |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2015 |publisher=Movieweb.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Perlman |first=Jake |date=July 29, 2014 |title=Casting Net: N.W.A biopic 'Straight Outta Compton' completes casting |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/07/29/casting-net-nwa-biopic-straight-outta-compton-completes-casting/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=March 3, 2020 |archive-date=March 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303093131/https://ew.com/article/2014/07/29/casting-net-nwa-biopic-straight-outta-compton-completes-casting/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In early July 2014, casting directors for the N.W.A biopic issued a casting call for extras and vintage cars in the Los Angeles area for scenes in the movie. The film received positive reviews and grossed over $200 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 8, 2014 |title=NWA Biopic "Straight Outta Compton" Casting Call for Cars in Los Angeles |url=http://www.projectcasting.com/casting-calls-and-auditions/nwa-biopic-straight-outta-compton-casting-call-for-cars-in-los-angeles/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023040438/http://www.projectcasting.com/casting-calls-and-auditions/nwa-biopic-straight-outta-compton-casting-call-for-cars-in-los-angeles/ |archive-date=October 23, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2015 |publisher=Projectcasting.com}}</ref>

===Awards===
''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked N.W.A at number 83 on its [[Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time|list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time"]].<ref name=":2" /> In 2016, the group was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]],<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2016-04-09 |title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction 2016 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-induction-2016/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=John |date=2016-04-09 |title=Kendrick Lamar Inducted N.W.A. Into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/kendrick-lamar-inducted-nwa-rock-hall-of-fame/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=Vice |language=en}}</ref> following three previous nominations.

''[[Straight Outta Compton]]'' was the first rap album ever to gain five stars from Rolling Stone at initial review, it placed 70th among the magazine's [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]] in its 2020 revised list.''<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 22, 2020 |title=The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/n-w-a-straight-outta-compton-4-1063163/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 28, 2020}}</ref>'' ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', in 2006, named it one of the 100 greatest albums of all time.<ref name="TIME">[https://web.archive.org/web/20061201085911/http://www.time.com/time/2006/100albums/index.html "The All-TIME 100 Albums"] ''TIME''. Accessed January 4, 2008</ref> ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' appraised it as one of the 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century.<ref name="Vibe-Ess">{{Cite news |date=December 1999 |title=100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century |page=164 |work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]}}</ref> In 2012, ''Slant Magazine'' listed it 18th among the "Best Albums of the 1980s".<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2012 |title=The 100 Best Albums of the 1980s |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/feature/best-albums-of-the-1980s/308/page_9 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |website=Slant |archive-date=November 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106005758/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/feature/best-albums-of-the-1980s/308/page_9 |url-status=live }}</ref> In any case, in November 2016, ''Straight Outta Compton'' became the first rap album inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |year=2016 |title=Grammy Hall of Fame Adds 25 Recordings |url=http://www.grammy.com/news/grammy-hall-of-fame-adds-25-recordings |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204101933/http://www.grammy.com/news/grammy-hall-of-fame-adds-25-recordings |archive-date=2016-12-04 |access-date=2020-03-11 |website=grammy.com |publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{main|N.W.A discography}}
[[File:Logo N.W.A grafit.JPG|thumb|Graffiti of the N.W.A logo]]
'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[Straight Outta Compton]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Niggaz4Life]]'' (1991)

'''Extended plays'''
*''[[100 Miles and Runnin']]'' (1990)

'''Compilation albums'''
* ''[[N.W.A. and the Posse]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Greatest Hits (N.W.A album)|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 Best of N.W.A: The Strength of Street Knowledge]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Family Tree (N.W.A album)|Family Tree]]'' (2008)

==Tour==
* Straight Outta Compton Tour (1989)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/city-slang/archives/2015/08/17/the-real-story-behind-nwas-straight-outta-compton-detroit-riot|title=The real story behind N.W.A.'s 'Straight Outta Compton' Detroit riot|first=Lee|last=DeVito|newspaper=[[Detroit Metro Times]]|access-date=June 25, 2021|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027094847/https://www.metrotimes.com/city-slang/archives/2015/08/17/the-real-story-behind-nwas-straight-outta-compton-detroit-riot|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://power97.com/news/7026675/george-floyd-protests-n-w-a-streams/|title=Power 97|website=Power97.com|access-date=June 25, 2021|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401091836/https://power97.com/news/7026675/george-floyd-protests-n-w-a-streams/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rockthebells.com/blogs/articles/hip-hop-label-101-priority-records|title=Hip-Hop Label 101: Priority Records|first=Rock The|last=Bells|website=Rock The Bells|access-date=June 25, 2021|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613231013/https://www.rockthebells.com/blogs/articles/hip-hop-label-101-priority-records|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
*''[[Fear of a Black Hat]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{N.W.A|state=expanded}}
{{Ruthless Records}}
{{Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award}}
{{2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
{{Portal bar|1980s|1990s|California|Music|United States}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:1986 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1991 disestablishments in California]]
[[Category:African-American musical groups]]
[[Category:Dr. Dre]]
[[Category:Eazy-E]]
[[Category:Gangsta rap groups]]
[[Category:Hip-hop groups from California]]
[[Category:Ice Cube]]
[[Category:MC Ren]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1991]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1986]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Musical quartets from California]]
[[Category:Musical quintets from California]]
[[Category:N.W.A| ]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in music]]
[[Category:Priority Records artists]]
[[Category:Ruthless Records artists]]
[[Category:West Coast hip-hop groups]]
[[Category:Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners]]