October Legends and Americana Ending November 14th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2015
Although “hip hop” was barely recognized as a musical style as recently as three decades ago, the rap genre has undergone phenomenal growth and recognition within recent years. Its urban rhythms have become sound tracks of daily life, and many of its once-controversial, provocative lyrics have entered the lexicon of the cultural mainstream. A group of young men from Compton, California, performing West Coast hip hop as “N.W.A.,” were at the forefront of the art’s refinement in presentation and its subsequent rise in popularity. N.W.A. played a pioneering role amid societal evolution, and individual members of the band went on to enjoy highly successful careers in entertainment and other realms.
The original album from 1988 – “Straight Outta Compton,” by N.W.A. – is presented. Published under the groups’s Ruthless Records label, the record featured eleven tracks, including “Gangsta Gangsta” and “---- the Police.” (The latter song – highlighting confrontation with law enforcement – was seen at the time as particularly incendiary.) The album achieved platinum status, and is widely heralded as one of the Greatest Hip Hop albums of all time. Still much appreciated by contemporary audiences, the album and its subjects inspired a hit 2015 motion picture that shares the same title.
The front of the cardboard album cover has been signed in gold or silver paint pen by four of the group’s original members, including:
Ice Cube: inscribed, “NWA”;
Dr. Dre: Inscribed, “To Phono Booth / Keep rockin that good shit/ NWA”;
EAZY-E: Deceased 1995, at age 31. Inscribed, “Thankz 4 your support / N.W.A”;
M.C. Ren: Inscribed, “To the Phono Booth / The Ruthless Villain / N.W.A.”
The Original vinyl LP is included. Full LOA from JSA.