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Behind the birth of N.W.A: Why is their music so controversial?
N.W.A (Niggaz Wit Attitudes) is a hip-hop group founded in Compton, California, United States. As one of the early and important representatives of the gangsta rap subgenre, N.W.A is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential acts in the history of hip-hop music. The group was active from 1987 to 1991, and was mired in controversy for its explicit lyrics, which many viewed as misogynistic or homophobic, and its glorification of drugs and crime. Despite this, their sales in the United States have exceeded 10 million, further proving the influence of their music.
N.W.A's music is grounded in its members' experiences with racial discrimination and excessive police force, creating politically charged songs that challenge the American system.
N.W.A's original lineup was formed in 1987, including Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and later DJ Yella and MC Ren joined in the same year. The group's debut compilation album, N.W.A and the Posse, released in 1987, peaked at number 39 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. N.W.A's fame quickly rose with the release of their 1988 debut album, Straight Outta Compton, which ushered in a new era of gangsta rap, with many of its lyrics and production methods being revolutionary in the genre.
N.W.A's music not only celebrates the hardships of life, but also directly reflects the anger and protests of young people in American cities. Opening track "Straight Outta Compton" introduces the group, "Fuck tha Police" protests police brutality and racial injustice, while "Gangsta Gangsta" paints a picture of the worldview of inner city youth. As Ice Cube said, "We were singing about the reality they (young people) were experiencing."
"N.W.A's music is not only an external challenge, but also a deep social criticism. It has aroused the attention of American youth to racial issues."
The most controversial song, "Fuck tha Police," attracted the attention of the FBI, which even issued a statement of protest. The letter states that singing such songs "encourages violent behavior, which is wrong." The letter was seen by N.W.A as a promotion, further increasing their popularity and allowing more people to learn about their music. Additionally, their albums carry parental warning labels, highlighting the challenging nature of their content.
In 1991, N.W.A released their final album, Niggaz4Life, which marked the end of their collective creative career. After Ice Cube left the band in 1989 over copyright and profit issues, conflicts within the group intensified, and subsequent albums gradually showed verbal battles against former members. Apparently, N.W.A was unhappy with the song's creation, and even continued to fight against Ice Cube musically afterwards.
N.W.A's music constantly challenges traditional concepts and social norms, sparking widespread discussion and attention.
Their work was not only a musical breakthrough, but also a cultural and political statement. From their music to their production partnerships, N.W.A went against the grain of traditional hip-hop that was sacrosanct at the time. This emerging musical style conquered influence and broke multiple boundaries in the music industry, especially appealing to a wider range of white audiences.
In the following decades, N.W.A's influence was almost everywhere, from rhythm to lyrics, and even became a source of inspiration for a new generation of hip-hop artists. Their works show the struggles and indignation of African Americans in the face of racial discrimination, social injustice and other phenomena, making N.W.A the voice and struggle of a generation.
For a period of time, N.W.A was regarded as "musical rebels", and their music echoed the pain points of society at the time and sparked global discussions.
Even after disbanding in 1991, N.W.A's influence on music history remains profound. They not only changed the ecology of hip-hop music, but also allowed later artists to explore new boundaries in their creations. In 2016, N.W.A was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which was not only a recognition of their musical achievements, but also an affirmation of the role they played in culture. To this day, we can still raise a question about N.W.A's music and the social controversy behind it, which is: Does N.W.A's philosophy still resonate in today's music world?
