MIAMI (WSVN) — A film featuring a controversial rap group is set to hit theaters nationwide and 7News spoke exclusively with NWA more than 20 years ago, right when they hit the scene, revolutionizing music and pop culture.
NWA was the first gangsta rap group. Bold, foul-mouthed and with a name that offended people. Asked what the name stood for, the group said, "N***** With Attitude."
"And we don't mean it like the bigot type of way," said Ice Cube. "We mean it like when we talking to each other. Like, 'N****, shut up,' something like that."
In 1989, their songs about the abuse they endured from police growing up in Compton was different than anything else, and the words they used to describe their life on the streets of Compton was so crude, radio stations and even MTV banned them.
When asked what they thought about being banned by MTV, M.C. Ren said, "Man, [Expletive] MTV … Profanity, a lot of people can relate to profanity."
Despite being banned in many places, NWA sold three million copies of their "Straight Outta Compton" album. Their message? That cops abused them when they were growing up hit home with many people.
"Five white guys walking in together are friends," said Ice Cube. "Five black guys walking together is a gang in the police eyes, you know what I'm saying? And they have you done like this [hands over head] Head down, and you be on the concrete."
California politicians were furious that NWA's songs encouraged violence against other blacks, against cops, and they accused them of trying to incite crime. "Nothing such as this has ever happened in Compton. It doesn't happen," said one local politician.
Ice Cube's response? "If somebody wants to do a crime, they had that mentality there anyway. It wasn't our album that turned somebody that was a nice kid into this vicious criminal," he said.
In 1989, there was a firm belief from some people about the real motive for the foul, violent songs from NWA. "I don't think they have black pride," said the politician, who is black. "They have green pride, and that's all that they are thinking about."
This time, Ice Cube and the gang agreed. "Yes. All of this is for the money," said Ice Cube. "We ain't gonna do no records that is all off, and we think nobody is gonna buy."
They created gangsta rap, they sold millions of albums, and to their critics, they laughed. "We don't care," said Ice Cube.
"They are mad 'cause we are making more money than they are," said M.C. Ren.
"We got pockets that are full," said Dr. Dre.
More than 20 years later, their pockets are really full. Today, Dr. Dre is worth $700 million. Ice Cube is worth about $140 million.