March 29, 2005
NWA and Straight Outta Compton Go Acoustic
You remember NWA, right? Dr. Dre and Ice Cube were the most notable spawn of this ground-breaking late 1980's hip hop group from the LA ghetto-burb of Compton (or, the C.P.T., as the locals call it). NWA was the first true gangsta rap act (the real OGs) to the extent that they largely and inadvertantly defined the sub-genre with their sudden success and in doing so helped to establish the foundation for the gangsta pose and the West Coast style, which would dominate hip hop a few years later.
The seminal and break-out NWA tune is their classic "Straight Outta Compton," an angry and defiant pop cultural shot across bow of complacent Bush-era America (the first Bush-era, that is). The stark song was infused with violent and threatening lyrics that raged against the authorities and the inherent dangers of daily life in the hood. In this case, the hood was gangs-, guns- and drugs-ridden South Central Los Angeles. "Straight Outta Compton" was as hugely controversial as it was successful. Initially an small, underground hit, once college radio and -- later -- MTV got a hold of it, it was a massive hit.
Fifteen years later, the song is an underground hit again, but it a different way. (And by "underground hit" this second time around, we should say it's an "viral internet hit.") A folky, acoustic guitar-driven remake by Nina gordon has brought "Straight Outta of Compton" back into the radar again and even with some degree of controversy as well.
Nina Gordon is a singer-songwriter best known as vocalist and guitarist of 1990's alt-indie-rock poster kids Veruca Salt. In her surprisngly poignant, lightweight and very white-sounding rendition of "Straight Outta Compton" she sings only the first stanza of the song, the part originally rapped by Ice Cube. (There's a link to the free MP3 of the song after the jump below.)
The song was churned out during recent recording sessions for Gordon's new solo album and seems to have been recorded more as a throw-away cover than for serious inclusion on her future CD. The MP3 has been floating around the Net for almost a couple of months now. We first heard it when Internet podcast guru-entrepeneur (and former MTV VJ) Adam Curry played it on the Daily Source Code, his regular podcast, a couple of weeks ago.
Since then, we've played the song back at least a few dozen times and even re-listened to the original NWA version, which -- no matter how good the Nina Godorn cover verison -- is still boss.
Tell 'em where ya' from! Straight outta Compton!
RELATED LINKS
Unauthorized Video of Nina Gordon's Straight Outta Compton
MP3 of Straight Outta Compton by Nina Gordon
Posted by at March 29, 2005 08:34 PM
COMMENTS
I definitly should be like this. Some time ago i thought about this. Agree for 100%.
Posted by: Compton at August 26, 2005 05:58 AM
