Straight Outta Compton (Vinyl) [Explicit Lyrics]

With this album, Dr.Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella brought to the mainstream the soon-to-be-pariah known as Gangsta Rap, with its foul-mouthed depictions of violence, drugs, and sexism. The production pairs hard-hitting, thunder-like beats and snare kicks with uptempo funk and soul, as Cube, Dre, Eazy and Ren spit rhymes, that, even today, are offensive, insensitive, hate-ridden, exiting, entertaining, witty, and often amusing.

While songs deal with colorful subjects such as shooting at police, drugs, and punching someone in the mouth simply because you don't like them, the music retains a party-friendly, festive vibe, which is a stark contrast to the belligerent lyrics. With or without the lyrical bloodshed, Compton is still as playful and fun as a Run DMC record or even the Beastie Boys' Licensed to Ill. While comparatively benign in terms of subject matter, they were both large touchstones for Compton's sound - it sounds like a party record first and foremost. This irony is much like John Denver writing a gentle, heartfelt ballad about breaking his guitar over your head, and stabbing you repeatedly with what's left of it - lest he not blow your head off with his gat. Brutal. Hilarious.

Perhaps more ironic is that the group was not only about offending people (though it probably was a big part of the agenda), but simply telling life how they saw it. Along with the obvious "F Tha Police", a cry against police brutality, "Express Yourself," a tribute to honesty, and "Dopeman," which documents the perils of drug dealing, the album is a streetwise documentation of the harsh ghetto environment in which the rappers were raised, "the strength of street knowledge" if you will.

This album is up to the brim with classic material - the knockout left-right-left ("and you're toothless!") of the first three songs (can you really think of a better way to start off an album?), the sharp flows of "Something Like That" and "Compton's In The House", and "If It Ain't Ruff." Ice Cube is the album's star; his performance here drips with fury and hunger, though they're all in top form here and work with great chemistry to one another. As if you need to be told, one of the best albums ever.

Let me start by saying, I love all kinds of music. I am a fan of punk, ska, reggae, classic rock, hop-hop, gangsta, and even a little country music (Johnny Cash). That said, this is the best rap CD ever, bar-none. Straight out of Compton is an energetic opener, and contains one of the phattest beats ever. From the first couple rhymes, to the last, this CD represents what gangsta rap should, and could, have been in modern day. Dr. Dre sounds great on this CD. If you like this, check out Notorious Big. If you are a hip-hop fan, buy some Biz Markie CDs. And while I really don't care for his music, I geuss Tupac Shakur would be another good artist to add to your collection. NWA has inspired these guys (With the exception of Biz), and they are in some circles just as great. GET THIS ALBUM!

If you want Gangsta rap look no further than this masterpiece. The songs are violent, hateful, masogonistic, entrenching stereotypes,a nd every other thing that could be potentially viewed as a negative charecteristic. Everything that is bad is featured on this album, however for some reason this album does not either offend or disgust me the least bit. On this album are the obvious clasics: F*ck the Police, Gangsta Gangsta, Straight outta Compton, and a few others. These songs alone are the reason why this album is worth the few bucks that you shall pay for it. Furthermore the new version has a few extra tracks including the ultra masogonistic a B*tch is a B*tch, which however is a classic song and is also a display of some twisted truth.
Furthermore everything on this album is presented honestly and openly. Though it is obvious that Ice Cube doesn't kill Cops for no reason daily, the song does display honesty in the sense that it shows the problems of frusturations faced by people everyday.
High Recommened; Buy It