背景
Straight Outta Compton這張專輯達到了雙白金的銷量,成為歷史上第一張未經任何宣傳與電台點播而達到這個數目的專輯。 由於受到了嘻哈世界的廣泛認可和Ice Cube對歌詞的推廣。N.W.A的成員很快就成為了匪幫說唱(Gangsta Rap)新時代的頂尖人物。同時,他們也孕育了一大批來自康普頓(Compton,California)和南洛杉機的說唱新星——因為他們有著和N.W.A一樣的故事和說唱生涯軌跡。 同樣的原因,另一隻組合Comton's Most Wanted也成立了。 由於歌曲中經常出現暴力,色情,充斥著髒話的歌詞,並且針對了一些政府部門,例如洛杉磯警察局(LAPD),N.W.A一直都受到美國聯邦調查局(FBI)和美國參議院(United States Senate)的重點關注。這種多年的堅持很大程度上是因為N.W.A的領頭人Eazy-E。一個很明顯的例子,便是歌曲Fuck tha Police,這首帶來了高度爭議的歌曲令聯邦調查局和參議院大為惱火,甚至寫了一封信來通知Ruthless廠牌,表達了他們的憤怒。N.W.A還被禁止在一些地方演出。 但是這封信反而讓N.W.A獲得了更大的名聲,並且奠定了團體之後的成功。在此之後的單曲"100 Miles and Runnin'"的MV便是N.W.A的成員逃脫警察的追捕,Dr.Dre在歌曲中這樣回應聯邦調查局:“現在聯邦調查局已經被我的雞巴打倒!”(and now the FBI is all over my dick!)
音樂
歌詞
專輯的歌詞主要由Ice Cube和MC Ren編寫。評論家都認為N.W.A過分讚揚了醜惡的犯罪,但N.W.A卻表示他們只是反映了康普頓和南洛杉磯的真實生活。AMG的評論員史蒂夫·休伊則認為這張專輯就像是“升起的地獄(raising hell,借用了Run-D.M.C.的專輯,Raising Hell),同時,他也讚揚了這張專輯的幽默——這讓這張專輯在現在也不落伍。
許多評論家都認為N.W.A的歌詞就像是有魔力的匪幫暴力似的。華盛頓郵報(The Washington Post)的專欄作者大衛·米爾斯(David Mills)這么寫道:這些街頭的硬核說唱歌手用“真實”來捍衛了他們的暴力的歌詞。但是槍聲卻充斥了他們的歌曲,他們並不想讓“真實”變得戲劇性——一個男子倒在地上,胸脯碰到地面,慢慢的等待死亡的降臨。對他們來講,還是想像自己開槍比較容易。("The hard-core street rappers defend their violent lyrics as a reflection of 'reality.' But for all the gunshots they mix into their music, rappers rarely try to dramatize that reality — a young man flat on the ground, a knot of lead in his chest, pleading as death slowly takes him in. It's easier for them to imagine themselves pulling the trigger".)但是威奇托鷹標報(Wichita Eagle-Beacon)的作者伯德·諾曼(Bud Norman)卻認為:“N.W.A並不想把音樂變得有趣......他們的描述是不按個人道德標準進行評定的 ,就像堪薩斯州的龍捲風一般。 ("They [N.W.A] don't make it sound like much fun... They describe it with the same nonjudgmental resignation that a Kansan might use about a tornado.")
製作
這張專輯的製作因為Dr.Dre的器樂和鼓點機,DJ Yella的轉盤機,還有其他合作製作者的幫忙,可以說是登峰造極的。 一些評論家更是認為這張專輯的製作是里程碑式的,他們還把這張專輯和傳奇製作人Marley Marl的製作進行對比。
內容
這張專輯最具爭議的歌曲,便是"Fuck tha Police",這首歌的存在可以說和N.W.A所獲得的綽號“世界上最危險的組合(World's Most Dangerous Group)"有密切關係,這首歌在乾淨版中是沒有的。 "Gangsta Gangsta"講述了南洛杉磯和康普頓(Compton)的暴力和危險。"Express Yourself"表達了對自由表達上的意見,即不應該手電台的重編輯。除了DJ Yella,所有的N.W.A成員都錄製了個人獨唱的曲目,Dr.Dre的製作則遠遠多於他的說唱。Eazy-E的唯一一首獨唱歌曲是混音版的"8 Ball"——一首曾經在專輯"N.W.A and the Posse"中出現的歌曲。Ice Cube獨唱了"A Bitch iz A Bitch"和"I Ain't tha 1"。MC Ren獨唱了"It Ain't Ruff"和"Quiet on tha Set"。專輯的唯一一位特別嘉賓是Ruthless旗下的The D.O.C.,在專輯中多以寫詞者(即Dr.Dre的捉刀人),他還在歌曲 "Parental Discretion Iz Advised"的開頭進行了演唱。N.W.A的創始人之一Arabian Prince演唱了"Something 2 Dance 2"的第一段。
專輯中有七首歌被收錄在N.W.A的精選集Greatest Hits中, "Gangsta Gangsta", "Fuck tha Police","Straight Outta Compton(extended mix)", "If It Ain't Ruff" ,"I Ain't tha 1"和 "Express Yourself"。在再製作版本中,又添加了一首隱藏歌曲"A Bitch iz A Bitch"。 不像Ice-T,N.W.A的Straight Outta Compton有著更多的社會的批判和影射。 AMG認為專輯就是“升起的地獄”一般,“反映了對流行說唱的對抗。”
封面設計
在 電子藝術(DigitaArts)的最佳專輯封面評選中,Straight Outta Compton占有一席之位。 網站如此評論道:“艾米納姆(Eminem)並沒有對壞蛋的圖像的壟斷——N.W.A超棒的Straight Outta Compton的封面綜合了社會的評論和至今仍然是標誌的邪惡的觀點。封面展示了一個持槍射擊他人的人、被Eazy-E手中的槍射擊的人的觀點。這種將藝術和政治的融合講N.W.A引入了大眾的意識之中。這樣一個重磅炸彈,因為它的封面和歌詞,單曲都史無前例的被MTV完全禁止。所以說,對抗是它最好的藝術。”(Eminem doesn’t have a monopoly of bad-boy imagery – NWA’s awesome Straight Outta Compton cover is mix of social comment and bad-ass attitude that still hits the mark today. The cover shows the viewpoint of a person who’s either been shot, or about to be shot, by the gun in Eazy-E’s hand – a fusion of art and politics that was to shoot NWA into the public consciousness. A surprise hit, as the lyrics and cover ensured an MTV ban and virtually zero airplay. Confrontational art at its best.)
評價
商業盈利上的表現
專輯在1989年登上音樂排行榜,在公告牌最佳LP(Billboard Top LP)中獲得第37名,公告牌最佳R&BLP(Billboard Top R&B LP)中獲得第九。 專輯在2003年時再次上榜,在UK最佳75專輯中獲得了第35名,在愛爾蘭最佳75專輯中獲得了第20名。 專輯總計賣出了超過三百萬份, 專輯在1992年3月17日獲得了RIAA的白金唱片證明, Straight Outta Compton是N.W.A賣的最好的專輯。他們的第一張專輯,N.W.A and the Posse得到了金唱片認證, 最後一張專輯Efil4zaggin則是白金認證。 根據Priority廠牌的統計,專輯的80%的銷售都在郊區——一個超越界限的黑人區。
專業評價
專輯自發行就收到廣大好評, 芝加哥評論(Chicago Tribuno)給了Straight Outta Compton3.5星/4星的評價,並讚揚了專輯的製作。 里奇蒙時報(RTD)的馬克·霍姆伯格(Mark Holmberg)把專輯描述為:“像牧師傳道般的,令人瘋狂的,直擊現實的描述了沉溺於匪幫,駕車掃射,狂交,警察的嘯叫和種族主義的專輯。("a preacher-provoking, mother-maddening, reality-stinks diatribe that wallows in gangs, doping, drive-by shootings, brutal sexism, cop slamming and racism") 一周新聞(Newsweek)則認為專輯是“記錄了一些從未被製作過的荒誕的,令人興奮的音樂的專輯("introduced some of the most grotesquely exciting music ever made"),“暗示了匪幫的起源,推銷了自己,關注了匪幫戰鬥的其實與發展並增添了它的神秘感( "Hinting at gang roots, and selling themselves on those hints, they project a gangster mystique that pays no attention where criminality begins and marketing lets off") 緊隨著2002年專輯的再版發行,滾石雜誌(Rolling Stone)把Straight Outta Compton稱為嘻哈(Hip Hop)史上最為現象級的專輯之一,並且認為其為“ 就如誇張的,喧囂的轎車駛過洛杉磯焦土般的、被忽視的貧民區。
來源 | 評分 |
Allmusic | ★★★★★/★★★★★ |
Blender | ★★★★★/★★★★★ |
Chicago Tribuno | ★★★☆/★★★★ |
Robert Christgau | B |
Los Angeles Times | favorable |
Pitchfork Media | 9.7/10 |
PopMatters | favorable |
Rolling Stone | ★★★★★/★★★★★ |
Sputnikmusic | ★★★★/★★★★★ |
Yahoo Music | favorable |
榮譽
2003年,VH1在電視網路上宣布N.W.A的Straight Outta Compton為史上最佳專輯的第62名。專輯還登上了旋轉雜誌(Spin)的“百大最佳專輯,1985年~2005年”。1998年,專輯被選為了源泉(Source)雜誌的百大最佳專輯。專輯還在滾石(Rolling Stone)的500大全時間最佳專輯(500 Greatest Albums of All Time)中排行第144名,同時也是N.W.A的唯一一張上榜專輯和第一張滾石首次評分即給出5星的嘻哈專輯。喜劇家克里斯·洛克在2005年是為滾石雜誌攥寫了有關25大最佳專輯的文章,Straight Outta Compton居於首位。 專輯還在Acclaimedmusic的最佳專輯評選中居於109名。 2006年,專輯被收錄於書籍 1001張你死前應當聽的專輯 ( 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die)中。 同年, 時代周刊(Time)也把專輯選入了周刊的百大最佳專輯。 Q雜誌(Q)把專輯選為了1988年的首位標誌性名稱。 抉擇新聞報(Alternative Press)把專輯評為“最佳專輯85年~95年”的第45名。 盛世雜誌(Vibe)將專輯選錄了雜誌的二十世紀100大不可或缺的專輯。 電子藝術(DigtiaArts)雜誌把專輯的封面選入為25大最佳專輯封面。
上市音軌
原版
歌曲序號 | 歌曲名 | 作詞家 | 演唱者 | 歌曲時長 |
1. | "Straight Outta Compton" | Ice Cube,The D.O.C., MC Ren | Ice Cube, MC Ren, Eazy-E | 4:19 |
2. | "Fuck tha Police" | MC Ren,Ice Cube, | Ice Cube, MC Ren, Eazy-E | 5:45 |
3. | "Gangsta Gangsta" | Ice Cube, MC Ren | Ice Cube, Eazy-E | 5:36 |
4. | "If It Ain't Ruff" | MC Ren | MC Ren | 3:34 |
5. | "Parental Discretion Iz Advised" | Ice Cube,MC Ren,The D.O.C. | The D.O.C., Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Ren | 5:16 |
6. | "8 Ball" (remix) | Ice Cube | Eazy-E | 4:52 |
7. | "Something Like That" | The D.O.C., MC Ren | Dr. Dre, MC Ren | 3:35 |
8. | "Express Yourself" | Ice Cube | Dr. Dre, Ice Cube | 4:25 |
9. | "Compton's in the House" (remix) | The D.O.C.,Mc Ren | Dr. Dre, MC Ren, Eazy-E | 5:20 |
10. | "I Ain't tha 1" | Ice Cube | Ice Cube | 4:54 |
11. | "Dopeman" (remix) | Ice Cube | Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E | 5:20 |
12. | "Quiet on tha Set" | MC Ren | MC Ren | 3:59 |
13. | "Something 2 Dance 2" | Arabian Prince, Ice Cube,The D.O.C. | Arabian Prince, DJ Yella, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E | 3:32 |
2002年增加音軌
歌曲序號 | 歌曲名 | 作詞者 | 演唱者 | 歌曲時長 |
14. | "Express Yourself" (extended mix) | Ice Cube,MC Ren | Dr. Dre,MC Ren,Ice Cube | 4:42 |
15. | "Bonus Beats" | 3:03 | ||
16. | "Straight Outta Compton" (extended mix) | Eazy-E,Ice Cube,MC Ren | MC Ren,Eazy-E,Ice Cube | 4:53 |
17. | "A Bitch Iz a Bitch" | Ice Cube | Ice Cube | 3:10 |
2007年增加音軌
歌曲序號 | 歌曲名 | 作詞者 | 演唱者 | 歌曲時長 |
14. | "Fuck tha Police" (tribute remix) | MC Ren, Eazy-E | Bone Thugs-n-Harmony | 5:02 |
15. | "Gangsta Gangsta" (tribute remix) | Eazy-E,MC Ren | Snoop Dogg,C-Murder | 4:39 |
16. | "Dopeman" (tribute remix) | Ice Cube,Eazy-E | Mack 10 | 4:01 |
17. | "If It Ain't Ruff" (tribute remix) | MC Ren | WC | 3:44 |
18. | "Compton's in the House" (live) | Dr. Dre, Eazy-E | Dr. Dre,MC Ren | 2:02 |
採樣記錄
採樣
歌曲名 | 採樣歌曲 |
Parental Discretion Iz Advised | I Turned You On - The Isley Brothers(1969) |
8 Ball (Remix) | Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye (1973) Yes We Can Can - Pointer Sisters (1973) West Coast Poplock - Ronnie Hudson & The Street People (1982) |
Express Yourself | Express Yourself - Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (1970) Dopeman - N.W.A(1987) |
Fuck tha Police | It's My Thing - Marva Whitney (1969) Funky Drummer - James Brown(1970) Feel Good - Fancy (1974) The Boogie Back - Roy Ayers Ubiquity (1974) Funky President - James Brown (1974) Ruthless Villain-Eazy- E feat. MC Ren (1988) |
Gangsta Gangsta | N.T. - Kool & the Gang(1971) Funky Worm - Ohio Players (1972) Troglodyte (Cave Man) - The Jimmy Castor Bunch (1972) Impeach the Presiden t- The Honey Drippers (1973) Sonnet to My Idol - Lady Reed (1974) Be Thankful for What You Go t- William DeVaughn (1974) God Make Me Funky - The Headhunters feat. Pointer Sisters (1975) Take the Money and Run - Steve Miller Band (1976) Weak at the Knees - Steve Arrington (1983) La Di Da Di - Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick(1985) (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!) - Beastie Boys(1986) Eazy-Duz - It-Eazy-E (1988) My Philosophy - Boogie Down Productions(1988) |
I Ain't tha 1 | The Message (Inspiration) - Brass Construction (1976) |
Quiet on tha Set | Funky Drummer - James Brown (1970) Funky President - James Brown (1974) Scratchin' - The Magic Disco Machine (1975) Rock Creek Park - The Blackbyrds (1975) I Get Lifted - KC & the Sunshine Band (1975) Take the Money and Run - Steve Miller Band (1976) Catch a Groove - Juice (1976) Bring It Here - Wild Sugar (1981) Ruthless Villain - Eazy-E feat. MC Ren (1988) Straight Outta Compton - N.W.A (1988) |
Something 2 Dance 2 | Dance to the Music - Sly & the Family Stone (1968) You're the One for Me - D-Train (1981) |
Something Like That | Take the Money and Run - Steve Miller Band (1976) |
Straight Outta Compton | Amen, Brother - The Winstons (1969) Get Me Back on Time, Engine #9 - Wilson Pickett (1970) You'll Like It Too - Funkadelic (1981) West Coast Poplock - Ronnie Hudson & The Street People (1982) |
If It Ain't Ruff | A Star in the Ghetto - Average White Band and Ben E. King (1977) Ruthless Villain - Eazy-E feat. MC Ren (1988) Don't Believe the Hype - Public Enemy(1988) |
A Bitch iz A Bitch | Papa Was Too - Joe Tex (1966) |
Compton's in the House(Remix) | It's My Turn - Dezo Daz feat. DJ Slip (1987) Cinderfella Dana Dane - Dana Dane (1987) |
被採樣
歌曲 | 被採樣於 |
Straight Outta Compton (Extended Version) | Murder Game - The J to the D (1991) |
Dopeman(Remix) | Radio - Eazy-E |
Express Yourself | Down 2 Tha Last Roach - Eazy-E feat. Ash Trey and B.G. Knocc Out (1993) I Can't Stand It - The Prophet (DJ) (1996) Reality of 98 (Shimon Remix) - Pascal (1998) |
Fuck tha Police | One Time Gaffled Em Up - Compton's Most Wanted (1990) Untouchable - Above the Law(1990) Endangered Species (Tales From the Darkside) - Ice Cube feat. Chuck D (1990) Live 2 Die - K-Stony Jamm (1990) AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted - Ice Cube (1990) Who's F***ing Who? - Compton's Most Wanted (1992) Protect & Serve - UGK(1994) La Haine - Cut Killer (1996) Cruel Summer - Ace of Base (1998) Classik - Assassin (2000) Where My Heart's At - Wax Tailor feat. The Others (2004) Gold and a Pager - The Cool Kids (2008) Fuck the Police - !Trash Yourself (2008) |
Gangsta Gangsta | Microphone Massacre - Throwdown Academy (1988) Gangsta/Hype Mix - Underground Posse (1988) The Nigga Ya Love to Hate - Ice Cube (1990) Behind Closed Doors - WC and The Maad Circle (1991) Crooked Ass Nigga - 2Pac(1991) 8 Ball - DJ Quik(1991) My Brother's a Basehead - De La Soul (1991) Growin' Up in the Hood - Compton's Most Wanted(1991) Fuckin' Wit a Psycho - X-Raided (1992) Who's Fucking Who? - Compton's Most Wanted (1992) This Is a Gang - Compton's Most Wanted (1992) Gangsta Story - Smokin Suckaz Wit Logic (1993) Fuck the Security Guards - Niggaz With Hats (1994) Granny Says Kick Yo Black Ass - Tasty Taste (1994) Cancel 'Em All Out - Barry Blue (1994) Ladies & Gentlemen, Presenting... - Buckshot LeFonque (1994) Who're You Fucking With - Innerchild (1995) Bury Me Alive - Twiztid feat. Violent J (1999) Early Mornin' Tony - Felt (2005) No More Fun and Games - The Game(2005) We Still Here - Bleu DaVinci, E-40 and Fabolous (2006 )Stretch Marks and Cigarette Burns - Blaq Poet feat. Panchi and Imani Montana (2009) Natalie's Rap - The Lonely Island feat. Natalie Portman and Chris Parnell (2009) Eff U - Reks (2010) |
I Ain't tha 1 | I Ain't the One - Scarfacefeat. WC |
Quiet on tha Set | Eazy-er Said Than Dunn - Eazy-E (1988) E Get Shift - King Tee (1990) Ruthless Bitch - Tairrie B. (1990) |
Something 2 Dance 2 | Cali Cuts - DJ Maestro (1988) The Woman in Me - Silk Tymes Leather (1990) Something to Dance To - Run Tings (1992) Intergalactic Ride - Buzz Fuzz (1995) Party Affair - DJ BoozyWoozy (2001) Let the Bass Kick - DJ Chuckie (2008) |
Straight Outta Compton | Quiet on Tha Set - N.W.A (1988) Scarface - Geto Boys (1989) All I Wanna Do... - Full Force feat. Samantha Fox (1989) Murder Rap - Above the Law (1990) Spin to the Grooveline (Convoy Mix) - The Box (1990) Now - Meat Beat Manifesto (1990) AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted - Ice Cube (1990) Cummin’ at Cha - EPMDfeat. Das EFX (1992) Murderahh - Live Squad (1992) Slaughter - Ganksta N-I-P (1992) El-Bland-E - The Men From Del Bosca (1992) Hit the Floor - Compton's Most Wanted (1992) Cummin’ at Cha - EPMD feat. Das EFX (1992) El-Bland-E - The Men From Del Bosca (1992) Murderahh - Live Squad (1992) There Is No Law - Messiah (1993) Street Knowledge (The Lost Track) - Doc Scott (1993) Sicilian Brown - Bass Cube (1993) Ool Lortnoc - Jimmy J & Cru-L-T feat. J.D.S. (1994) Bad Bad Motherfucker - Bazooka (1995) In the Mix - DJ Seduction (1995) Who're You Fucking With by Innerchild (1995) Live Intro (1989) - N.W.A (1996) Everyday - Marvellous Cain and Bizzy B (1996) Michael Jackson - Fatboy Slim (1996) Matemática Na Prática - GOG feat. Japão (1998) Streetknowledge - DJ Niel and DJ Kristof (2000) Straight Outta Q.B. - Cormega, Blaq Poet and Jungle (2000) Kaos Theory - DJ Ink (2001) Ghetto Classics - Ricky V. Valentine (2003) P.H.I.L.L.Y. (VIP) - Trust feat. Mental Sharp (2005) Bolivia - Esham (2005) Rollin' With Saget - Jamie Kennedy and Stu Stone feat. Bob Saget (2005) Bluntz & Beatz (Straight Outta Deathchant) - Bryan Fury (2006) Street Knowledge - Rocco (2006) That's How I'm Goin' Out - The Cenobites (2008) For the City - Statik Selektah feat. M.O.P. and Jadakiss(2008) Bang!!! (Grind Time Anthem) - Killer Mike (2008) Freedom - Fashawn (2009) This Is the Remix - Girl Talk (2010) Rap Song - T-Painfeat. Rick Ross(2010) Street Knowledge - Fiend (2011) Paradize City - Evol Intent (2011) |
A Bitch iz A Bitch | It's a Man's World - Ice Cube feat. Yo-Yo (1990) The Nigga Ya Love to Hate - Ice Cube (1990) Bitch Betta Have My Money - AMG (1991) No Vaseline - Ice Cube (1991) Look Who's Burnin' - Ice Cube (1991) Down 2 Tha Last Roach - Eazy-E feat. Ash Trey and B.G. Knocc Out (1993) Bichasniguz - Onyx (1993) Da Bitchez - Jeru the Damaja (1994) The Bitch in Yoo - Common (1996) Cold Cutz - Cold Cutz Crew (1999) Science Fiction - DJ Shiro (1999) Bitches & Sisters - Jay-Z(2002) Without Me - Eminem(2002) A Bitch I Knew - Snoop Dogg feat. Traci Nelson (2006) Bitch - Spank Rock and Benny Blanco (2007) For You - Joe Budden feat. Royce Da 5'9'' (2009) |
Express Yourself (Extended Mix) | W.F.L. (Think About the Future Remix) - Happy Mondays (1989) Crew From the North - Ruthless Rap Assassins (1990) Stop Al Panico - Isola Posse All Stars (1991) Rush Hour (Last Minute Mix) - Wishdokta (1992) The Element (High Noon) - 4 Hero (1993) Rough Like Me - M-Beat (1993) Omen III - Magic Affair (1994) Jump N' Shout - Basement Jaxx (1998) Moskovskiy Old School (Moscow Old School) - Bad Balance (1998) Express Yourself '08 - Statik Selektah feat. Termanology, Talib Kweli and Consequence (2007) Oh No - Girl Talk (2010) |
Compton's in the House(Remix) | Microphone Massacre - Throwdown Academy (1988) Born and Raised in Compton - DJ Quik (1991) Invisbl Skratch Piklz vs. Da Klamz Uv Deth - Invisibl Skratch Piklz (1997) Forgot About Dre - Dr. Drefeat. Eminem (1999) The One and Only - Snoop Dogg(2002) |
人事
美化:赫雷納·弗里曼(Helane Freeman)
策劃:多諾萬·桑德(Donovan Sound)
執行製作人:Eazy-E(Eric Wright)
灌制人:低音·布里安(Big Bass Brian)
攝影師:埃里克·波普勒頓(Eric Poppleton)
製作人:DJ Yella,Dr.Dre