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For Ice Cube, It Was A Big Step In Small Time From C.I.A. To N.W.A. (Audio)

Straight Outta Compton viewers had a glimpse of what Ice Cube did in his days after school in circa 1987. Before it was Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella he surrounded himself with, it was Sir Jinx and K-Dee (a/k/a Kid Disaster) that O'Shea Jackson favored. They were... Read more

A New Mini-Documentary Explores the History of N.W.A.’s ‘F the Police’ & its Influence in Compton (Video)

In the weeks since Straight Outta Compton hit theaters, the discussions about N.W.A.'s role in Hip-Hop history have become commonplace, and rightfully so. While arguments have been made that the film omitted much of their story, what has prevailed are the Compton, California group's contributions to politically driven, reality rap.... Read more

A Missy Elliott Biopic? Here’s Why Her Story Bridges Women & Hip-Hop in a Powerful Way

Since Straight Outta Compton's meteoric rise to dominance in discussions of contemporary American film, music, sexual politics, and more, the concept of the Hip-Hop biopic is one that has flooded channels of communication and is seemingly inescapable. News of a Master P biopic and a cinematic exploration of Death Row... Read more

Straight Outta Compton Becomes The Top-Earning Musical Biopic, Ever.

James Brown. Johnny Cash. Ray Charles. Ritchie Valens. The Doors. Buddy Holly. These are just some of the subjects surrounding Hollywood's musical biopics of the last 25 years. That said, N.W.A. and their biographical depiction in Straight Outta Compton boasts the distinction of being the highest-earning, ever. In theaters for... Read more

The Man Who Gave Dr. Dre His 1st Big Break Talks N.W.A.’s Origins (Video)

Few artists in Hip-Hop have forged three different labels into dynasties. Dr. Dre's artistic craftsmanship established Ruthless Records, Death Row Records, and Aftermath Entertainment as premiere imprints in their respective eras. While Andre Young presently maintains Aftermath, he was the onetime president and co-founder of Death Row, yet he had... Read more

“Straight Outta Compton” Lands N.W.A. On Top 40 Charts…27 Years Later

Both of N.W.A.'s two studio full-length albums carry platinum plaques. 1988's Straight Outta Compton and 1991's Ni**az4Life have this distinction, as does 1990 EP 100 Miles & Runnin', while 1987's N.W.A. & The Posse, and two separate greatest hits volumes are gold. With their sophomore LP boasting a #1 on... Read more

25 Years After a Presumed Career-Ending Accident, The D.O.C.’s Voice Is Returning (Audio)

One of Hip-Hop's most tragic "what if's" surrounds Dallas, Texas MC The D.O.C. A onetime Ruthless Records artist, the rapper born Tracy Curry came into the music industry as a protege of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, and N.W.A. His 1989 album No One Can Do It Better is widely revered as... Read more

The Politics of Rap: Political Hip-Hop’s Long & Outspoken History Didn’t Begin or End with N.W.A. (Audio)

The marriage of political engagement and Hip-Hop culture has been a permanent fixture ever since artists began using the mic as a means of delivering dispatches from inner-city life, where systemic problems of economic disparity, educational inequality, poverty, and racism remain far too common for far too many. For many,... Read more

Ice Cube & O’Shea Jackson, Jr. Share Powerful Father-Son Moments in 1-on-1 Conversation (Video)

O'Shea Jackson, Jr. had perhaps the biggest shoes to fill of all of his co-stars in his role in Straight Outta Compton . The son of N.W.A.'s Ice Cube, Jackson, Jr. has been earning rave reviews for his portrayal of his father, putting to rest any remaining talk there may be... Read more

Rare 25-Year Old N.W.A. Photos & Collectibles Resurface, Care of a Longterm Fan (Interview)

Only now, in 2015, is N.W.A. a group that can test the waters of the digital era. It's been nearly 25 years since the group existed, and more than that since it had its famous five member lineup including Ice Cube. In 1988, there were no blogs, no streams, no... Read more

‘Straight Outta Compton’ Smashes Box Office Expectations. The Strength of Street Knowledge Endures.

Prior to the release of the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, industry experts were suggesting the film would pull in an opening weekend box office of around $20 to $40 million, a rather handsome sum for a film about a rap group that, in its heyday, had censors all over... Read more

Chris Rivers Maintains East Coast Flow Over West Coast Flavor With A Dr. Dre Beat (Video)

As thousands flock to movie theaters across the country to catch the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, fans are expressing their appreciation for the group, even those who are artists themselves. In his latest Friday freestyle, Chris Rivers channels the visual aesthetics of West Coast Hip-Hop flavor from the '90s,... Read more

Dr. Dre Confronts Abusive Past. Explains Why Compton Ended The Detox.

The same day Straight Outta Compton hits theaters (August 14), Rolling Stone magazine will release their interview with N.W.A. co-founders Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. For now, the heralded music pub only released tidbits from their rare audience with D-R-E, alongside his "Natural Born Killaz" rhyme-partner Cube. For Dre, this... Read more

Ice Cube & MC Ren Explain Why Rap Groups Are Hard To Sustain

This week, Straight Outta Compton opens to theaters. Presumably, millions of movie-goers will see Hollywood's take on the formation, rise, and eventual break-up of one of Hip-Hop's most influential and iconic groups: N.W.A. While the surviving members of N.W.A. (Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren) all participated... Read more

Ice Cube Responds To Lyric Annotations Of His Hit Songs (Video)

With Straight Outta Compton's theatrical release date only a few days away, much attention has been paid to N.W.A. and their legacy, and now the film's title inspiration is being addressed by Ice Cube. On a video feature for Vanity Fair magazine's website, the founding member of the historic rap... Read more

Dr. Dre Put Compton On The Map. Now He’s Immortalizing Its Legacy (Album Stream)

Announced just days ago, Dr. Dre's third studio album, Compton, has released as planned. The N.W.A. co-founder named his first LP in nearly 16 years after the Hub City that he hails from. Now, the Beats By Dre namesake drops off the deeply-anticipated work to Apple Music for an exclusive... Read more

Dr. Dre, Nas, KRS-One, B-Real, Scarface & RBX Came Together In The Aftermath Of Coastal Conflict (Video)

Tomorrow (August 7), Dr. Dre is slated to drop his first album in 16 years. Compton, as it is called, follows 2001 in a career that has emphasized quality over quantity. In conjunction with next week's Straight Outta Compton biopic (August 14), Dre returned to his studios and invited friends... Read more

Ice Cube Talks Rap Beef, Jerry Heller, Dr. Dre’s New Album & More (Video)

With the highly anticipated N.W.A. biopic, Straight Outta Compton set to be released next Friday (August 14), Ice Cube and the cast of the film sat down with HOT 97's Ebro, Laura Stylez and Peter Rosenberg for an interview. The cast included Ice Cube's son, O'Shea Jackson Junior, who plays... Read more

Get The Backstory To The Presumed First Ever Photo Of N.W.A. (Video)

In the history of N.W.A., the pre-1988 material often lives in the shadows. The "Panic Zone" 12" featured artwork also purposed for 1987's N.W.A. & The Posse compilation album on Macola. Author, DJ, historian, and Soul Sides founder Oliver Wang examined this photograph from '87, leading up to this month's... Read more

What Does Ice Cube Think About Ghostwriting In Hip-Hop? (Video)

Ice Cube is widely regarded as one of Hip-Hop's most influential MCs. Whether with N.W.A., Westside Connection, or a multi-platinum solo career, the Los Angeles, California MC has written songs that have defined years, eras, and Rap music as a whole. Notably, Cube has written for others along the way,... Read more

Ice Cube Says Dr. Dre’s ‘Straight Outta Compton Soundtrack’ Arrives This Week (Video)

With just over two weeks until the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton hits theaters, the excitement and anticipation over the film is palpable, to say the least. Buttressed by the forthcoming reunion tour, public discourse about some of rap music's most prolific young artists has reached a fever pitch, and... Read more

DJ Premier & Dr. Dre Are Clearly Up To Something, What Could It Be?

Nas' It Was Written. The 8 Mile Soundtrack. Game's The R.E.D. Album. Only a handful of times in their careers, combined spanning more than 50 years, have Dr. Dre and DJ Premier worked on the same album in a production capacity. There would have been several more of those times,... Read more

N.W.A. Discusses The Authenticity Of “Straight Outta Compton” With Fab 5 Freddy (Video)

As the host/VJ of "Yo! MTV Raps," Fab 5 Freddy was a major correspondent with N.W.A. at a time when the Compton, California group was fiercely counter-cultural. Twenty five years later, Freddie reunites with Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren on the set of August 14 biopic... Read more

30 Years Later, Dr. Dre Returns To His Radio Roots (Video)

Radio has been a major part of Dr. Dre's career. Through courageous radio stations, music by World Class Wreckin' Cru, N.W.A., Dre, and his litany of proteges reached the world, and made dozens of would-be household names and timeless hits. However, to those who lived and worked in Greater Los Angeles... Read more

Ice Cube: “There Would Be No Eminem Without N.W.A.”

For the first time in 25 years, all living members of N.W.A. will be performing live, together. As part of the BET Experience taking place this weekend, the seminal Rap group will take the stage to perform some of their classic material and whether or not Heads are in attendance,... Read more

Happy Birthday Ice Cube. May It Be A Good Day…

Today (June 15), MC/actor Ice Cube turns 46 years old. As he gears up for the Straight Outta Compton N.W.A. biopic (August 14), an on-stage reunion with MC Ren and DJ Yella, and a Barbershop 3 costarring Common, it seems safe to say it will be a good year for... Read more

Did Hollywood Forget N.W.A. Had 5 Members? Here’s Some Love for MC Ren & DJ Yella.

This week has been a roller-coaster for fans of "Rap's Most Dangerous Group": N.W.A. On Monday (June 8), it was revealed that Ice Cube will reunite on stage with DJ Yella for the first time since 1989. MC Ren will be there too as part of Los Angeles, California's BET... Read more

MC Ren Gets Ruthless About N.W.A. “Straight Outta Compton” Trailers

N.W.A. had four MCs: founder Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and MC Ren. In the marketing materials for August 14's Straight Outta Compton biopic, Ren feels as though he is not getting proper billing. Specifically, Ren attacked some of the Universal Pictures trailers. This morning (June 10), the Compton, California... Read more

Ice Cube To Perform With MC Ren & DJ Yella For First Time Since 1989

The N.W.A. storyline is most certainly heating up with Summer. It has been more than 15 years since N.W.A. appeared to reunite care of The Next Friday soundtrack's "Chin Check" and Ice Cube's "Hello." However, while both Priority Records-backed songs were billed to media and fans as N.W.A. hallmarks, the... Read more

Once Again It’s On: Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted Rings True At 25

A quarter of a century ago today (May 16, 1990), Ice Cube released his solo debut. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted signaled his post-N.W.A. career, and the acrimonious split left fans eager to hear Cube's perspective. However, what those supporters received was more dynamic than one man's tale of anger and revenge,... Read more

N.W.A.’s Raunchiest Song Has An Alternate Version Heads Can Now Hear (Audio)

Released in 1991, N.W.A.'s "She Swallowed It" goes down in history as one of the raunchiest Rap songs ever recorded. Rapped by MC Ren (with background vocals by the rest of the group), the song simulates oral sex in audio, with sound effects. Additionally, the Ruthless Villain chronicles group-sex with... Read more

Ever Hear The Single From Dr. Dre & E-A-Ski’s Planned Collabo Album? (Audio)

To say things are "good" for Dr. Dre is a brutal understatement. The Compton, California impresario is breathing down the neck of being a billionaire (if he is not already there), he is the subject and producer of a major studio N.W.A. biopic, and he's got arguably Hip-Hop's best MCs... Read more

This Throwback Hip-Hop VIDEO Mix Will Blow Your Mind (Video)

Here's an absolutely devastating throwback Hip-Hop video mix from UK DJ E Double D. The mix and song selection, from the late 80s and early 90s, would be enough but, the added layer of overlaying visuals takes it to a completely different level. E Double pulls out clips featuring Eric... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Tupac vs. Ice Cube…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

A New Straight Outta Compton Trailer Emerges. It Still Looks Incredible…(Video)

The latest in a series of trailers has emerged for Straight Outta Compton, the upcoming biopic (August 14) on N.W.A. With Universal Pictures' branding, this appears to be the real deal, and builds greatly upon the part-trailer, part Chrysler advertisement, part vignette from February. There are some really interesting things... Read more

Eternal E: Remembering Eazy-E’s Massive Contributions 20 Years Later (Food For Thought)

Eazy-E, who was only 31 when he died 20 years ago today (March 26, 1995), was considered one (if not the) progenitor of West Coast Gangsta Rap. As a record label executive, he established a blueprint for future young, Black entrepreneurs. As a member of N.W.A., he helped lend a... Read more

Dr. Dre Says Straight Outta Compton Will Clarify N.W.A.’s Perceived Misogyny (Video)

Among N.W.A.'s legendary tracks are "Just Don't Bite It," "Findum, Fuckum & Flee," and the interlude, "To Kill A Hooker." Nearly 25 years after the group famously disbanded, Dr. Dre says that the perceived misogyny behind the lyrics and music by himself, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella... Read more

Do Remember: DJ Yella & Kokane – 4 Tha E (Eazy-E Tribute) (Video)

Today (March 26) marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Eric "Eazy-E" Wright. The founder of N.W.A. and Ruthless Records left a crater on the face of modern music as we know it. The Compton, California native not only made the SoCal city a household name 25 years before... Read more

Michel’le Says Suge Knight Protected Her, After Dr. Dre Broke Her Nose (Video)

This week marks the 20th anniversary of Eazy-E-'s tragic death (March 26, 1995). With Ruthless Records on the minds of many Heads, the consideration ramps up. Michel'le was an R&B star on a Hip-Hop more than a decade before that become a standard. Her multi-platinum self-titled 1989 LP was a... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Dr. Dre vs. Erick Sermon…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): E-40 vs. Dr. Dre…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

The Polished Trailer For “Straight Outta Compton” Features Dr. Dre, N.W.A. & Lots Of Subtleties (Video)

While Compton's Kendrick Lamar won big in the evening, during the 57th Grammy Awards, Heads did not see Dr. Dre or Ice Cube in the audience, or on stage. However, the Hip-Hop legends whose fates are forever tied starred in a lengthy trailer for Straight Outta Compton, the upcoming N.W.A.... Read more

Problem Waves The Compton Flag Bigtime In 2015 (Audio)

Along with YG and Kendrick Lamar, Problem has been one of the 2010's laureates of the Compton class. With Hub City again living up to its reputation for the unpredictable, Problem makes "Compton." The record takes the eerie vocal from Eazy E's "Real Muthaphukkin' G'z," and flips it for 22... Read more

Suge Knight Involved in Hit and Run That Kills a Man; Possibly Facing Murder Charges

UPDATE #3: Less than one week since the January 29 hit-and-run incident, killing Terry Carter and injuring Cle "Bone" Sloan, Marion "Suge" Knight has been formally charged with one count of murder, and one count of attempted murder. ABC7.com reports the breaking news. Additionally, the Compton native was charged with... Read more

Eazy-E & Bone Thugs-N-Harmony 1994 Interview Surfaces…Glimpse The O.G.’s (Video)

In many ways, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony was Eazy-E's final act of greatness. The Compton Gangsta Rap mogul looked to Ohio to find a quintet that sounded like nothing else in the space. Krazyie, Layzie, Wish, Bizzy, and Flesh-N-Bone combined G-Funk with Gospel with Midwest choppin' to provide a style that stood... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Ice Cube vs. Too Short…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

MC Ren Calls Out Lazy Radio DJs & Wack Playlists In A New Song (Audio)

Since the N.W.A. days, MC Ren has never run from the issues. The iconic Compton, California lyricist has asserted equality for race, religion, and understanding for nearly 30 years. Taking a look at the present day commercial radio format, Ren decries "Burn Radio Burn" on a fresh and charged E-A-Ski... Read more

Chris Rock Dramatically Quotes Ice Cube & N.W.A. In This “Top 5” Clip (Video)

Clearly based largely on his own life and experiences, Chris Rock's Top 5, from title alone is built around opinions and rankings. Evident in the currently-screening film's roll-out, Rock loves ranking comedians, rappers, acts, albums, and more—as does his Andre Allen character in the film. The authenticity in this role... Read more

Dr. Dre Named Forbes’ Highest Paid Musician Of 2014 (Video)

"Either everything is workin', or you're workin' for everything." - Edo G. Dr. Dre did not release an album in 2014. In fact, Dre's Aftermath Entertainment did not release an album in 2014. However, Forbes estimates that the Compton, California 30-year Hip-Hop veteran made more money than any musician in... Read more

Finding The GOAT: Eazy-E vs. Lord Finesse…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more