Gangsta Gangsta Explained

For other uses see Gangsta Gangsta (disambiguation).

Gangsta Gangsta
Cover:Gangsta Gangsta.jpg
Caption:"Gangsta Gangsta" vinyl case
Type:single
Artist:N.W.A
Album:Straight Outta Compton
B-Side:Something 2 Dance 2
Recorded:1988
Genre:
Length:5:36
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Straight Outta Compton
Prev Year:1988
Next Title:Express Yourself
Next Year:1989

"Gangsta Gangsta" is the second single from American hip hop group N.W.A's 1988 album Straight Outta Compton. The song later appeared on the N.W.A Greatest Hits album and The Best of N.W.A. - The Strength of Street Knowledge.

Background

The song conveys the dangers of living in the streets of Compton, California and South Central Los Angeles but also speaks of the appealing side of "gangsta life". The song has been covered or otherwise remade several times since its release, among them include versions done by The Game, Mack 10 and the 57th Street Rogue Dog with Tech N9ne and a parody of the lyrics appear in "The Salaminizer" by Gwar.

The first three verses are delivered by Ice Cube. The fourth and final verse is delivered by Eazy-E. The song is interspersed with interjections from other N.W.A. members.

The song contains samples from "God Make Me Funky" by The Headhunters, "Weak At The Knees" by Steve Arrington, "My Philosophy" by Boogie Down Productions[1] and "Be Thankful for What You Got" by William DeVaughn[2] among others.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: N.W.A's Gangsta Gangsta sample of Boogie Down Productions's My Philosophy . WhoSampled . 2014-08-26.
  2. Web site: N.W.A's Gangsta Gangsta sample of William DeVaughn's Be Thankful for What You Got . WhoSampled . 2014-08-26.
  3. Web site: Bubbling Down Under Week commencing 3 December 1990. www.bubblingdownunder.com. December 3, 2021. December 7, 2021.