This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Delirium (talk | contribs) at 09:18, 18 February 2003 (simply putting an acronym in parens after first proper noun usage is sufficient to define it). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 09:18, 18 February 2003 by Delirium (talk | contribs) (simply putting an acronym in parens after first proper noun usage is sufficient to define it)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Niggaz With Attitude (NWA) were a rap music group that popularized Gangsta rap with the groundbreaking Straight Outta Compton (1989) album, a vicious hardcore record that became an underground hit notorious for its hardcore lyrics, especially those of "Fuck tha Police," which resulted in the FBI sending a warning letter to Ruthless Records and its parent company Priority, suggesting that the group should watch its step.
On both the 1990 EP 100 Miles and Runnin' and the 1991 album Efil4zaggin ("Niggaz 4 Life" spelled backward), Dr. Dre created dense, funky sonic landscapes, which together with Eazy E's comic-book lyrics, kept NWA at the top of the charts.
Members of the band included:
- Dr. Dre (Andre Young) d.j. - producer - rapper
- Eazy E (Eric Wright) rapper
- Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson) rapper
- MC Ren (Lorenzo Patterson) rapper
- Yella d.j.
as well as
- Arabian Prince d.j. - rapper
who is recognized as a pioneer of west coast electro funk (see also Egyptian Lover). He left NWA after "Straight Outta Compton" and went on to produce his highly innovative album "Brother Rab". Its style was defined by a German critic as a synthesis between Curtis Mayfield and Kraftwerk.
After the band split Dre had a highly successful career as both a rapper and record producer for the likes of Snoop Doggy Dogg and Eminem. Ice Cube was successful as both a rapper and film actor. Eazy E died in 1995 from an AIDS related illness.
NWA can also stand for National Wrestling Association and National Wrestling Alliance. The former operating from 1905 to 1948 and the latter in operation from 1948 until the present.