By Charlie Matthews

This week we are listening to NWA “Straight Outta Compton”, released on Ruthless Records. Released in 1988, it was sparse, low budget and on point. With violence and gangster life as main themes, this album was to become the pioneer for gangsta-rap and would define West Coast hip hop for decades. NWA created an album, that many would consider the the most influential hip hop records to have ever been produced.NWAs “Straight Outta Compton” was ranked #144 on Rolling Stone Magazines list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.  VH1 ranked it 10 in their top 100 albums as well. Interestingly, without any radio support the album was still able to reach 37 on the Billboards Top LPs in 1989 and eventually ranked 9 on the Top Soul LPs list.  This is the album that made Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, Eazy-E and Ice Cube household names.

Tracklist:

1. Straight Outta Compton
2. Fuck tha Police
3. Gangsta Gangsta
4. If it Ain’t Ruff
5. Parental Discretion Iz Advised
6. 8 Ball (Remix)
7. Something Like That
8. Express Yourself
9. Compton’s N the House Remix
10. I Ain’t tha 1
11. Dopeman (Remix)
12. Quiet On Tha Set
13. Something 2 Dance 2