Straight Outta Compton

Recorded in 1988 at Audio Achievements in Torrance, California, with N.W.A members Ice Cube, MC Ren, Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, and DJ Yella contributing to the session. The track opened the group’s debut album and was produced by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella. It introduced N.W.A to a wider audience as the title track of their debut album and became the group’s first Top 40 hit. Its blunt Compton street portrait helped define gangsta rap’s national breakthrough and drew major controversy at release. The song remained one of N.W.A’s signature recordings and later re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015, reaching a new generation through the film and renewed interest in the group. It was also included in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list in 2021.