Gangsta Gangsta (N.W.A song)

"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.

"Gangsta Gangsta"
"Gangsta Gangsta" vinyl case
Single by N.W.A
from the album Straight Outta Compton
B-side"Something 2 Dance 2"
ReleasedSeptember 5, 1988 (1988-09-05)
Recorded1988
Genre
Length5:36
Label
Songwriter(s)O'Shea Jackson[1]
Producer(s)
N.W.A singles chronology
"Straight Outta Compton"
(1988)		 "Gangsta Gangsta"
(1988)		 "Express Yourself"
(1989)
Audio sample
  • file
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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 Villians 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[2] and "Be Thankful For What You Got" by William DeVaughn[3] among others.

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Gangsta Gangsta" (Radio Edit)5:36
2."Something Like That" (Radio Edit)3:35
3."Gangsta Gangsta" (Instrumental)4:04
4."Quiet On Tha Set"3:59
5."Something 2 Dance 2"3:32

Charts
Chart (1989–90) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[4] 70
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[5] 91
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[6] 11

References
  1. "The D.O.C. on Ice Cube Leaving NWA: Cube Was the Spirit". YouTube. 2015-11-13. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  2. "N.W.A's Gangsta Gangsta sample of Boogie Down Productions's My Philosophy". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  3. "N.W.A's Gangsta Gangsta sample of William DeVaughn's Be Thankful for What You Got". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  4. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  5. "N.W.A Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  6. "N.W.A Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
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