NWA
Niggaz With Attitude (
NWA) were a
hip hop trio that popularized
gangsta rap with the groundbreaking
Straight Outta Compton (1989) album, a vicious hardcore record that became an underground hit notorious for its hardcore lyrics, especially those of "Fuck tha Police," which resulted in the
FBI sending a warning letter to Ruthless Records and its parent company
Priority, suggesting that the group should watch its step.
On both the 1990 EP 100 Miles and Runnin' and the 1991 album Efil4zaggin ("Niggaz 4 Life" spelled backward), Dr. Dre created dense, funky sonic landscapes (which presaged his innovative G funk sound), together with Eazy E's humorous lyrics and Ice Cube's socially charged raps, kept NWA at the top of the hip hop charts.
Members of the band included:
Arabian Prince is recognized as a pioneer of west coast electro funk (see
Egyptian Lover). He left NWA after
Straight Outta Compton and went on to produce his highly innovative album
Brother Rab. Its style was defined by a German critic as a synthesis between
Curtis Mayfield and
Kraftwerk.
After the band split Dre had a highly successful career as both a rapper and record producer for the likes of Snoop Doggy Dogg and Eminem. Ice Cube was successful as both a rapper and film actor. Eazy E died in 1995 from an AIDS related illness.
NWA is also the name of the National Wrestling Alliance.