I know, everybody was itching to post this poll but was worried about retribution from East Coast gangsta rap poll-takers. But I don’t care, 'cause I don’t give a f—! That’s right, b-----s!! West Coast n----z in tha house!! What’s up m---------z!!
[makes strange hand gestures]
It’s gotta be ‘Fuck Tha Police’.
Definitely “Fuck tha Police” – any song that triggers an FBI investigation automatically counts as legendary.
“Straight outta Compton”. Heard it for the first time when I was 10, and it blew me away - it opened my ears and mind to a completely new (to me) genre of music. I listened to nothing but hip hop for the next 10 years straight (i.e. 1988-1998). Mostly East Cost, though, but “Straight outta Compton” started it for me.
Yes. You have to love Eazy-E’s intensity on this track.
On the whole, I’m unsure on how I feel about this album. The production is great and funky, but it seems like its influence ultimately killed the final innocence left in hip hop and made the gangster element an integral part, at least in the 1990’s through out.
“Fuck tha Police.” No question.
“Fuck tha Police” is probably the first song people think of as the genesis of the gangsta genre. It wins based on influence alone.
“Dopeman” is another favorite of mine.
10 out of 13 of these songs have been my favorite at one time or another, classic album.
F.Y.I - Watched the doco ‘Beef’ over the weekend dealing with feuds in the hip hop music industry, well worth a watch.
Definitely “Fuck Tha Police,” although “Straight Outta Compton” and “Gangsta Gangsta” are both wonderful as well. As a whole the album doesn’t do a ton for me, but the singles are incredible.
For the record, anyone who picks Something 2 Dance 2 needs to get their cap peeled back.
I know “Fuck tha Police” will run away with this one, and that’s cool, even though I personally dig it more as a means, primarily due to the title, to shock and offend the Man than as an actual song.
No, for me, the choice came down to two songs: “Gangsta Gangsta” and “Express Yourself”, and I went with “Gangsta Gangsta”, ultimately.
Really? I’m the only person choosing “Dopeman”? Wow. Everything else being a close second, but still.
Hey! Leave the OG, Ice-T, out of this.
Now that I think about it, it’s curious that “Express Yourself” didn’t get more votes. Such a classic beat.
It’s an easy second choice for me.
Express Yourself is my vote although it was tough. Something about the beat and lyrics of that one just make it stand out above the others IF I am forced to choose.
By “IF” and “forced” I mean voluntarily responding to a poll that caught my eye on the inter-tubes.