THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

Throughout 1988’s Straight Outta Compton, N.W.A. described Compton as the Vietnam of the 1980s; they positioned themselves as willing participants in the gang wars erupting nightly on L.A.’s streets.  They threatened to use AK-47 assault rifles on anyone who offended them.  They threatened to shoot police officers and batter women, and promoted marijuana smoking and excessive drinking.  To them, serving time in prison was a rite of passage; the only thing that mattered was money, and they would do whatever was necessary to obtain it.  With anthems like “Fuck Tha Police,” it wasn’t long before the group was hailed as folk heroes by local Crips and bloods and a fawning rap press.

Ro/Death Row