N.W.A.

N.W.A's debut, 'Straight Outta Compton,' from 1989, proved that Los Angeles rap could be
the hardest rap going. It also upped the cachet of street hustlers who had a way with
words: No suburban rapper, regardless of how much he had overheard, could explore the
web of street debts and deals with the simple brutality of "Dope Man" or "Gangsta Gangsta."
But 100 Miles and Runnin', the 1990 EP that followed Compton, was damaged by t... More >

This is supposed to be where they finally slam nonstop. In fact, however, the music's just like the lyrics--market-ready. Catchy, yes, and funky in its laid-back electro way, but never hard enough to scare off the novelty audience. Which might be fun if they didn't outpig the LAPD in the bargain. Can Chuck D really believe they mean what they say? Sure they really hate women, and anybody else who looks at them funny. But unless they're even sicker than they seem, they're too greedy to murder anybody as long as they can make so much money fronting about it. And so they've calculated every rhyme to push somebody's button--to serve up the thrill of transgression to ghettobound and merely ghettocentric young-black-males, and also to the big score, culturally deprived white boys seeking exotic role models. That kids will take them at their word obviously doesn't concern n*gg*z who'll be hard-pressed to contain their pent-up hostility after the bubble bursts. It'd be nice to think they'll off each other when that great day comes, but I doubt they have the balls. So in the interests of public safety, pray they don't get taken by their investment advisors. (Grade - C-)