Gerrick Kennedy Knihy

Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella transformed hip-hop by forming N.W.A in 1986, bringing gangsta rap to the forefront on the West Coast. Their hard-core image and bombastic sound, paired with lyrics that were poetic, lascivious, and socially conscious, reflected the harsh realities of life in Compton, California—a place rife with poverty, drugs, and gangs. N.W.A's raw storytelling starkly contrasted the sanitized images of middle-class America portrayed on television. For the group, music was about authenticity and self-expression, not about niceties. Through extensive interviews and research, Los Angeles Times music reporter Gerrick D. Kennedy provides an in-depth look at N.W.A's early days, the controversies they faced, and their rise to multiplatinum fame. Kennedy explores pivotal moments, such as Ice Cube's departure to pursue a solo career after their debut album's success, the establishment of Ruthless Records, confrontations with the FBI over their provocative lyrics, and Dr. Dre's launch of Death Row Records. He also delves into the group's influence on the 1992 LA riots and Eazy-E's battle with AIDS. This compelling work of music journalism captures a defining era in rap, highlighting how N.W.A made the genre social, provocative, and unapologetically gangsta, demanding attention and respect.