nwa Archives

N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton Album Heads To The Library Of Congress

Approaching its 30th anniversary of release, N.W.A.'s album Straight Outta Compton continues to be rather suddenly treated as a classic album in the mainstream. The 1988 Ruthless Records LP by Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella has always been a grassroots success. However, the album that... Read more

March 29, 2017 News

Jay Z Creates A Playlist Of MCs Who Should Join Him In The Songwriters Hall Of Fame (Audio)

Yesterday (February 22), Jay Z made history, again, by becoming the first Hip-Hop artist chosen to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. As one of the most successful and prolific MCs of all-time, with 21 Grammys, 100 million records sold and 13 number one albums under his belt,... Read more

February 23, 2017 Audio, News

Tupac Shakur Has Been Nominated For The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

The nominees for the 2017 class of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame have been announced, and Tupac Shakur leads a list of first time nominees that also includes Pearl Jam, Journey, Jane's Addiction, Depeche Mode, and more. If accepted, Shakur would be the sixth Hip-Hop artist admitted to... Read more

October 18, 2016 News

Michel’le’s Biopic Shows Her Being Abused By Dr. Dre & Her Relationship With Suge Knight (Video)

Despite its commercial success and critical acclaim, N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton also drew criticism for some of the misogyny seen in the film, as well as that which was withheld. In particular, there was a renewed focus on Dr. Dre's past abuse of women. As a result, in August... Read more

September 18, 2016 TV, Video

Jerry Heller, Co-Founder Of Ruthless Records & N.W.A. Manager, Dead At 75

Longtime music industry veteran, Jerry Heller has died at the age of 75. Earlier today (9/3), Heller's cousin, Gary Ballen, confirmed to Billboard that Heller passed away on Friday (9/2). While Heller was most known as the co-founder of Ruthless Records with Eazy-E, and the manager of N.W.A., he worked... Read more

September 3, 2016 News

N.W.A. & Close Affiliates Detail The Making Of efil4zaggiN 25 Years Later

Over the last 12 months, much has been discussed about N.W.A.'s groundbreaking album Straight Outta Compton. The classic LP was given new life when the N.W.A. biopic of the same name was released. Although the film covered the entire lifespan of the group, its central focus was on the time leading... Read more

June 3, 2016 Throwback

N.W.A. Are Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame By Kendrick Lamar (Video)

Last night, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, N.W.A. joined Run-D.M.C., Beastie Boys and Public Enemy as the only Hip-Hop acts to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. After being nominated but passed over in 2014, many saw the Hall of Fame's actions this year... Read more

April 9, 2016 News

This Is The Only Way Straight Outta Compton Stood A Chance For a Best Picture Nomination

Despite the fact that the film Straight Outta Compton featured a predominantly Black cast, Black producers and a Black director, the only people nominated for an Academy Award in conjunction with the movie were its White writers. Many believe the film was worthy of several nominations, including Best Picture, Best... Read more

February 27, 2016 Video

MC Eiht Reveals Some Unbelievable Secrets About The Casting of Menace II Society (Video)

In the early and mid-90s, MC Eiht was riding high as one of the most talented of the many noteworthy MCs from Compton. His work with Compton's Most Wanted earned him a reputation as a skillful story teller who narrated the treacherous streets of Hub City with ice cold blood... Read more

February 17, 2016 Video

Kendrick Lamar Says He Would Not Be Here Today If It Was Not For Eazy-E

Over the years, much has been made of Kendrick Lamar's affinity for Tupac Shakur. The Compton MC often has discussed the impact seeing Dr. Dre and Pac filming the video for "California Love" had on him as a young child, and he even constructed an intricate "conversation" between Tupac and... Read more

October 6, 2015 News

Dee Barnes Responds to Dr. Dre’s Apology to the Women He Abused With Powerful Words

The N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton has been a runaway success at the box office, chalking up two straight weeks atop the box office charts and raking in well over $100 million in that time period. The timing of its release has been uncanny, with its depictions of police harassment... Read more

August 25, 2015 News

DJ Premier Details the Inside Story on Working With Dr. Dre & Names His Top 5 Producers (Interview)

DJ Premier and Dr. Dre are widely considered to be two of Hip-Hip's greatest producers of all-time. While the two have worked on the same projects occasionally over the last two decades, and maintained a friendship along the way, they had not had released a full collaboration, until now. The... Read more

August 7, 2015 Food for Thought

It’s Official. Dr. Dre’s First Album in 16 Years Will Be Released Friday.

As we reported earlier today, Dr. Dre announced the release of his first album since 1999's 2001 today on his The Pharmacy show on Apple Music. The album is titled Compton: The Soundtrack and will hit stores on August 7. He confirmed the album is completely different than the infamous... Read more

August 1, 2015 News

Dr. Dre’s New Album Will Not Be Released Today…But It’s Coming Soon (Audio)

Earlier this week, Ice Cube set the web on fire when he stated during an interview that Dr. Dre had created an album inspired by the forthcoming motion picture Straight Outta Compton (8/14), and that it would be released on August 1. However, new information suggests the album will not... Read more

August 1, 2015 Audio

Kurupt & Miguel Team Up for an N.W.A. Tribute…Kind Of (Video)

This summer belongs to N.W.A. in many ways. With the Straight Outta Compton movie storming into theaters next month, the news about the legendary group's reunion tour, and the proliferation of press and media attention, the direct references to their legacy are almost inescapable. However, not all of the references... Read more

July 29, 2015 Video

Happy 50th Birthday to Dr. Dre. Celebrate the O.G. with This Mix (Audio)

Happy Birthday to Dr. Dre who turned 50 years young today (2/18). The first 50 years were quite a ride for Andre Young. The Doc has been behind some of the most influential artists in Hip-Hop--all Hip-Hop--from N.W.A., to Snoop Dogg, to 2Pac, to Eminem, to 50 Cent, to Game... Read more

February 18, 2015 Audio

Suge Knight Officially Charged with Murder. Could Face Life in Prison.

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 two counts... Read more

February 2, 2015 News

Ready for That NWA Film? Here’s a Look at the Trailer…Hood Style (Video)

Hip-Hop fans went crazy at the announcement last year that the long-rumored biopic about N.W.A. would become a reality in 2015 and had the official co-sign from founding members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. At a recent event, Ice Cube gave a sneak preview of the trailer for the film... Read more

December 30, 2014 Video

Ice Cube Does Magic Tricks for Elmo and It’s ASTOUNDING (Video)

In 1988, would you have ever believed that Ice Cube, Amerikkka's Most Wanted, himself, would ever be on Sesame Street?? Times have definitely changed...Check out this video of Cube doing magic tricks for Elmo. It's guaranteed you will find it ASTOUNDING. Related: Ice Cube Has Some Furrowed Brow Follow-Up Fun... Read more

October 29, 2014 Video

The N.W.A. Biopic is 100% Official…and it Has a Release Date

Last year, Ice Cube discussed the upcoming N.W.A biopic with Arsenio, which is being directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday, Set it Off), and it's been confirmed on numerous occasions, including by Dr. Dre. New details have surfaced, including cast names and a release date, that make the film all... Read more

June 18, 2014 Fresh

Ice Cube, Nas, Snoop & More Speak on the History of N.W.A. (Video)

Who better to speak on the historical impact of N.W.A. than Ice Cube? As part of their ongoing Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, BET sat down with the West Coast legend for an extended conversation about the origins of his group. Others like Nas & Snoop also weighed in with their... Read more

June 11, 2014 Throwback

N.W.A.’s DJ Yella Speaks on the Last Time He Saw Eazy-E (Video)

Montreality spoke to N.W.A. OG, DJ Yella, in the latest installment of their in-depth interview series. Yella spoke on many topics, including his current relationship with Dr. Dre, the upcoming N.W.A. movie, becoming a porn producer, the last time he saw Eazy-E and more. Check out the video below. Related:... Read more

March 7, 2014 Throwback

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inducted Run-DMC, Beastie Boys & Public Enemy But Passes on N.W.A. Ice Cube Reacts (Video)

Over the years, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has expanded its scope and become more of an all-around music hall of fame. In recent years, Hip-Hop acts like Run-DMC, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This year,... Read more

January 10, 2014 Video

Ice Cube Discusses the Upcoming N.W.A. Film (Video)

Ice Cube sat down on the new Arsenio Hall show and discussed the upcoming film on N.W.A. which will be directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday) and more. Check out the video. Related: The Album Heard ‘Round the World: N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton Turns 25-years Old... Read more

September 11, 2013 Video

The Legacy of Donald Byrd

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February 9, 2013 Audio, Throwback

The Battle for LA – Back in the Day vs. Current Day (Playlist)

As you watch the Clippers and the Lakers battle for LA on the court, here's a playlist of some back in the day LA hip-hop (NWA, Dr. Dre, Snoop) and some current day LA hip-hop (Black Hippy, Still Dre) that symbolizes the proverbial passing of the torch. No matter who... Read more

January 4, 2013 Audio, Playlists, Throwback

We asked the AFH community who the best rap group of all time was and (not surprisingly) the response was strong and varied. Here’s a playlist featuring music from (almost) all of the groups mentioned. (Playlist)

You'll hear 32 groups including Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, EPMD, Tha Dogg Pound, ATCQ, De La Soul, Run-D.M.C., The Beastie Boys, The Pharcyde, Jedi Mind Tricks, Mobb Deep, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Whodini, Eric B & Rakim, NWA, Black Star, Slaughterhouse and MANY MORE. You can listen to the whole thing below.... Read more

May 12, 2012 Audio, Playlists

Here are two tributes to Eazy-E to celebrate his music and life on the 17th anniversary of his passing.

Today marks the 17th anniversary of the untimely passing of Eazy-E. As has become customary for anniversaries of the passing of hip-hop legends, Mister Cee did a tribute mix that was radio-friendly. Given how "colorful" Eazy's lyrics tended to be, we decided to do a playlist of his raps that... Read more

March 26, 2012 Audio, Mixes, Playlists

Ruthless Records re-defined the boundaries of rap music, making them the 7th most important hip-hop record label of all time. Click here to read more about Ruthless and to hear a playlist of some of its key artists: NWA, Eazy-E, The D.O.C., Bone Thugs N Harmony and more.

#7 Ruthless Records Ruthless Records, founded by Eric "Eazy-E" Wright and Jerry Heller, in 1987 re-defined rap music in several ways. The label was the first to put the West Coast on the map as a force to be respected in hip-hop. Before Ruthless, there were outliers like Ice-T, but... Read more

December 9, 2011 Audio, Food for Thought, Playlists, Throwback, Video

MCs from the West never left but there’s been a resurgence of late from Southern Cali. It’s inspired this playlist which celebrates the contribution that LA-based MCs have made to hip-hop over the last 3 decades. You’ll hear music from Ice-T, NWA, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, DJ Quik, Lady of Rage, Warren G, 2Pac, The Game, The Pharcyde, King Tee, Tha Alkaholiks, Jurrasic 5, Dilated Peoples, DJ Quik, Pac Div, Murs, Jay Rock and Kendrick Lamar.

Obviously, there are many other MCs who've helped build the LA legacy but this is a representation of many left coast eras. Just press play, sit back and listen to how the West was won. Related: Snoop Dogg - Reincarnated Official Film Trailer (Video)... Read more

September 24, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Here’s a mix of back in the day joints for your listening pleasure. You’ll find music from BDP, Slick Rick, MC Lyte, Eric B. & Rakim, Ice Cube, NWA, Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Digital Underground, Main Source, Special Ed and many more. Check it out.

June 24, 2011 Audio, Throwback

What would Black Sabbath, Jay-Z, Ludacris, Eminem, Jane's Addiction, Cali Swag District and Aaliyah sound like if they did a song together? Kinda like this…

Oh, and The Brothers Johnson, Dorrough, N.W.A., David Banner, The Ramones, Missy, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, and The Doors also jumped on the track. Confused? Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bMM7tGV9MI&feature=related This is one song from a mix called All Day from Girl Talk. Click here to download the whole mix. ... Read more

December 11, 2010 Mixes