N.W.A

1
  • Year:
    2016
  • Inducted by:
    Kendrick Lamar
  • Category:
    Performers

Hall of Fame Essay

2016

Reginald C. Dennis & Alan Light

Unexpected. Shocking. Flawed. Revolutionary. Worthy. N.W.A’s improbable rise from marginalized outsiders to the most controversial and complicated voices of their generation remains one of rock’s most explosive, relevant, and challenging tales.

From their Compton, California, headquarters, Eazy-E (Eric Wright), Dr. Dre (Andre Young), Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson), MC Ren (Lorenzo Patterson), and DJ Yella (Antoine Carraby) would – by force of will and through unrelenting tales of street life – sell tens of millions of records, influence multiple generations the world over, and extend artistic middle fingers to the societal barriers of geography, respectability, caste, authority, and whatever else happened to get in their way.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Program Cover 2016
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2016 Inductees NWA
making the world pay attention to our realities
Kendrick Lamar

Photography: Kevin Mazur, WireImage