Essentially, the narrator talks about how the police are not concerned about the life of non-white citizens. The line “Police think they have the authority to kill a minority” reflects the attitudes of officers towards the Compton inhabitants (“F** tha Police”). The song “F** Tha Police” by NWA is one of the most iconic ones for the Compton culture since it speaks openly about the racial discrimination of African Americans by law enforcement. Comparing the “Straight Outta Compton” and “Compton’s Lynching,” one can notice a move towards more violent imagery and generally a more militant mood reflecting the developments in Compton.Īnother issue inherent to the life in Compton in the 1980-1990s is the heavy police presence and the interactions of officers with the locals, which often entailed violence and brutality. The rise in gang violence and the spread of crack cocaine caused numerous middle-class black people to leave Compton, which further worsened the socio-economic status of the city (Feder-Haugabook). Nevertheless, the fact that the artists use the term shows the overall social climate in Compton during the beginning of the 1990s and a high degree of radicalism among the locals.Īs mentioned earlier, gang activity was particularly prominent in the early 1990s, which led to an increase in violence compared to the “Straight Outta Compton” era. The metaphor of lynching, which the artists utilize in the song, is extremely controversial since it refers to the practice of a public execution common in the South, the victims of which were African Americans. One of the key lines of the song is the following one, “So step back sorry clown, you ain’t hitting, you get no juice, cause Compton’s lynchin” (“Compton’s”). The narrator in the songs describes various actions they will engage in to punish their enemies for their disrespect. The song “Compton’s Lynching” by the band called Compton’s Most Wanted is an example of art that precisely captured the essence of the social climate in the city during this era. The gang violence in Compton peaked at the beginning of the 1990s, which translated into the music of local rap artists. NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton” is the expression of the band members’ experiences of participating in gang activities and a piece of historical evidence about the LA history of the 20 th century. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Compton was a place synonymous with gangs and violence associated with constant conflicts between such organizations (Feder-Haugabook). The emergence of NWA in Compton was, to a certain extent, determined by the city’s difficult socio-economic situation. Essentially, NWA wanted to clearly state that Compton was a place where people were always ready to retaliate if someone tried to harm them. The short chorus of the song, which constitutes one phrase, “Straight outta Compton,” functions as a reminder to the listener about the band’s city and the tough character of the locals (“Straight”). In this line, Ice Cube alludes to Charles Manson, one of the most notorious criminals in LA history who murdered several people. He raps, “Here’s a murder rap to keep y’all dancin’ with a criminal record like Charles Manson” (“Straight”). Ice Cube states that he is a dangerous individual who can easily respond with aggression and violence. The song begins with Ice Cube’s verse which instantly sets the tone for the rest of the song. It is clear that NWA was the most influential rap band from Compton, who managed to attain commercial success after the release of their “Straight Outta Compton” single. The gangster rap songs made in the late 1980s and the early 1990s in Compton highlighted the experiences of African Americans with gang activity and police brutality in Los Angeles. The area produced numerous artists who were not afraid of talking about their struggles of living in Compton through an innovative art form of rap. In the 1990s, Compton, a city inhabited by African Americans, became one of the most iconic locations for rap fans around the world. Kun’s statement particularly holds true for Los Angeles, which has a diverse music scene where each area has its own songs and genres, which help listeners understand life in these places. Ultimately, as noted by Josh Kun, “songs… can ground us in a sense of home…, and reimagine just what home can mean” (183). Yet, songs made by Los Angeles artists also reflect the personal stories and experiences that they encounter living in LA neighborhoods. Every year, aspiring musicians move to Los Angeles wishing to find ways to start their careers and become famous worldwide. Los Angeles is home to the world’s music industry since many major music labels have their headquarters in this city.
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