N.W.A and the rise of West Coast gangsta rap (1986–1991)

1. Ruthless Records takes shape in Compton

   Jan 1, 1986Labels: Ruthless Records, Eazy-E

   • Ruthless
   • Britannica

2. “Boyz-n-the-Hood” becomes a local breakthrough

   Mar 3, 1987Labels: Eazy-E, Ice Cube

   • Song page
   • Britannica

3. N.W.A forms and releases “Panic Zone”

   Aug 13, 1987Labels: N W, Panic Zone

   • Britannica
   • N W A

4. N.W.A. and the Posse compiles early Ruthless tracks

   Nov 6, 1987Labels: N W

   • Album page
   • N W A

5. Straight Outta Compton recording completes amid tensions

   Jan 1, 1989Labels: Straight Outta, Arabian Prince

   • Arabian Prince
   • N W A

6. Straight Outta Compton album releases nationally

   Jan 25, 1989Labels: Straight Outta, N W

   • Album page
   • Britannica

7. The D.O.C. expands the Ruthless sound

   Jul 13, 1989Labels: The D, Dr Dre

   • Album page
   • N W A

8. FBI sends warning letter over “Fuck tha Police”

   Oct 5, 1989Labels: FBI, Fuck tha

   • LA Times
   • Song page

9. The D.O.C. suffers career-altering car crash

   Nov 14, 1989Labels: The D

   • D O C
   • LA Times

10. Ice Cube leaves N.W.A and launches solo career

    Dec 1, 1989Labels: Ice Cube, N W

    • Britannica
    • AmeriKKKa

11. 100 Miles and Runnin’ EP debuts without Ice Cube

    Aug 14, 1990Labels: N W, 100 Miles

    • EP page
    • N W A

12. Death Row Records forms after departures from Ruthless

    Jan 1, 1991Labels: Death Row, Dr Dre

    • Death Row
    • Album page

13. Niggaz4Life releases as N.W.A’s final album

    May 28, 1991Labels: Niggaz4Life, N W

    • Album page
    • N W A

14. “No Vaseline” crystallizes the N.W.A breakup narrative

    Oct 29, 1991Labels: No Vaseline, Ice Cube

    • No Vaseline
    • Death Cert