NWA’s seminal album was released 30 years ago this month. We take a closer look at the complex Los Angeles County locale that inspired it
With a population nearing 100,000, Compton is almost exactly in the centre of Los Angeles County, earning this South Central locale the name “Hub City”. Though one of the oldest cities in the county, many say it was officially put on the map 30 years ago in August 1988, when rap pioneers NWA released their epic album Straight Outta Compton, etching it in history as a place of interest and notoriety. The record’s uniquely west coast style birthed the careers of Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson and the late Eric “Eazy-E” Wright, and introduced gangsta rap to the world. It also put a spotlight on drugs, gang violence and police brutality as community realities that Compton was facing. But has Straight Outta Compton’s massive success been ultimately good or bad for the city it exposed? Dr Dre’s assertive opening phrase on the title track seems to offer an answer: “YOU ARE ABOUT TO WITNESS THE STRENGTH OF STREET KNOWLEDGE!” Like the city itself, the album’s gritty yet fun, raw yet finessed beats and lyrics are deeper than they seem on the surface.
THANKS!! @drdre For building new performing arts center #NewComptonHShttps://t.co/6AU1LrEBYc pic.twitter.com/HaiWqVghjM
Continue reading...from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2B6rTT5
