N.W.A.

Active:: 1986 - 1992, for 6 years.
Names:: Alternative names: "The World's Most Dangerous Group" & Niggaz With Attitude.
Snapshot:: A Group with 18 releases, and credited 4 times on others' music. 7 members.

Arguably one of the most powerful and influential rap groups of all time N.W.A. (Niggaz With Attitude) -- Originally comprised of Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince -- is known for pioneering the style of rap commonly referred to as gangsta rap, which through the use of explicit lyrics describes life on the streets and the attitudes prevalent in gangs. At the time that N.W.A. came to prominence (1987) rap was only just breaking into the mainstream music world and was generally dominated by acts like DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince and LL Cool J. Needless to say N.W.A. was considered slightly more extreme. Despite much controversy N.W.A. managed to launch the careers of several prominent rappers including: Easy-E (now deceased), MC Ren, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.

It was N.W.A.'s second album Straight Outta Compton that would prove to be a seminal album, not just for the artists but also for gangsta rap as a whole. It eventually reached platinum status, without any air play or tour support, the only album in history to achieve this. The album featured violent and sexually explicit lyrics; much of the profane vitriol was directed at law enforcement agencies like the LAPD and FBI. Shortly after the release Ice Cube, the primary lyricist, left in a dispute about royalties.

N.W.A.'s end came when both Dr. Dre and The D.O.C. left after the group's third release Efil4zaggin (backwards for Niggaz4life) also in a dispute over royalties and contracts. All three would go on to have successful solo careers; Dr. Dre would found first Death Row Records then Aftermath Entertainment and discover many artists like Snoop Dogg and Eminem; Ice Cube went on to have several platinum albums and a very successful film career; after releasing his debut solo album, The D.O.C. was in a car accident that severed his vocal chords making any further solo career impossible. However he continued to write for other artists - most notably Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg - and contribute the occasional vocals. Easy-E died of AIDS in 1995.