N.W.A.

Main | Biography | Articles | Album Reviews | Photos | Discography

Album Reviews

Photo

N.W.A.

Niggaz4life  Hear it Now

RS: 3of 5 Stars Average User Rating: 4of 5 Stars

2002

Play View N.W.A.'s page on Rhapsody

Decked out in identical utility gear and sporting enough lyrical artillery to frighten all of middle America, N.W.A quickly upended hip-hop tradition with Straight Outta Compton. One of hip-hop's crucial albums, it was a bombastic, cacophonous car ride through Los Angeles' burnt-out and ignored hoods. Dr. Dre's busy funk production lent the proceedings a carefree, unhinged air, and the lyrics, mostly written by Ice Cube, were powerful audio verite, especially on songs such as "Fuck Tha Police," "Express Yourself" and "Dopeman." N.W.A's broad influence became apparent three years later, in 1991, when Billboard adopted SoundScan technology only to learn that the top slot on the pop album charts didn't belong to Paula Abdul but to these Compton, California, thug arrivistes (sans Ice Cube, who'd left the group due to financial differences). Niggaz4life wasn't quite the barnstormer its predecessor was -- it was less textured both sonically and politically -- but its success showed that the boyz in the hood weren't to be taken lightly ever again.

JON CARAMANICA

(Posted: Sep 30, 2002)

Advertisement

News and Reviews

Advertisement


How to Play This Album

  • Click the play button.

  • Register or enter your username and password.

  • Let the music play!

No commitment.
It's FREE.

 

Track List

Play All

Photo

 

Your Turn

Give us your review of Niggaz4life

Review 1 of 1

mrbennz writes:

5of 5 Stars


While Straight Outta Compton showcased ferocious
lyrical brutality, Niggaz4life improved on the music. Still lyrically controversial, the album contains classic pre-Chronic production from the Doctor.

Dre also steps up to take Ice Cube's vacant spot, sounding authoritative and in charge. MC Ren comes in second, while Eazy-E still wants to fuck like crazy (live by the gun....)

Lyrically, The D.O.C. writes some of his best work. The man behind the scenes provides his brand of street knowledge, taking Niggaz4life down a darker path than Straight Outta Compton.

The music is blended perfectly, one track flows right into the next. The beginning of the album bum rushes you with violent overtones, while the second half does come off a bit sloppy with sexual subjects. Regardless, N.W.A sounds like they had fun making this album.


Sep 30, 2007 09:30:58

Off Topic Report Abuse

Previous Next

Advertisement

 

Everything:N.W.A.

Main | Biography | Articles | Album Reviews | Photos | Discography

 

RSS Subscribe to Rolling Stone N.W.A. feed

See all available RSS feeds / learn more

Advertisement

Advertisement