‘Natural, authoritative, and unflinching … An elaborately detailed, darkly unexpected, definitive history of the LA gangsta rap period.’

Kirkus, starred review

A monumental, revealing narrative history about the legendary band of artists on the forefront of West Coastline hip-hop: Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Glaciers Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur.

Amid rising gang violence, the split epidemic, and police brutality, a group of unlikely voices cut through the chaos lately 1980s Los Angeles: N.W.A. Led with a about First Gangstas: The Untold Tale of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Snow Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Delivery of West Coast Rap drug seller, a glammed-up maker, and a higher school child, N.W.A gave voice to disenfranchised African People in america in the united states. Plus they quickly redefined pop lifestyle across the world. Their brands remain as well-known as ever–Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, and Snow Cube. Dre shortly joined pushes with Suge Knight to generate the combustible Death Row Records, which in switch transformed Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur into superstars.

Ben Westhoff explores how this band of performers shifted the balance of hip-hop from NY to LA. He shows how N.W.A.’s shocking achievement lead to rivalries between people, record labels, and eventually a battle between East Coastline and West Coastline factions. In the process, hip-hop burst into mainstream America at the same time of immense social modification, and became one of the most dominant musical movement from the last thirty years. At gangsta rap’s top, two of its biggest names–Tupac and Biggie Smalls–were murdered, leaving the surviving performers to forge tranquility before the genre annihilated itself.

Offering extensive investigative reporting, interviews with the principal players, and dozens of never-before-told stories, Original Gangstas is certainly a groundbreaking addition to the history of popular music.