NWA

Rap music group that popularized Gangsta rap with the groundbreaking [Straight Outta Compton]? (1988) album.

Members of the band included:

Dr. Dre (Andre Young) d.j. - producer - rapper

[Eazy E]? (Eric Wright) rapper

[Ice Cube]? (O'Shea Jackson) rapper

[MC Ren]? (Lorenzo Patterson) rapper

Yella? d.j.

as well as

Arabian Prince d.j. - rapper

who is recognized as a pioneer of west coast electro funk (see also Egyptian Lover). He left NWA after "Straight Outta Compton" and went on to produce his highly innovative album "Brother Rab". Its style was defined by a German critic as a synthesis between [Curtis Mayfield]? and Kraftwerk.

After the band split Dre had a highly successful career as both a rapper and record producer, for the likes of [Snoop Doggy Dogg]? and Eminem?. Ice Cube was successful as both a rapper and film actor. Eazy E died in 1995 from an AIDS related illness.