How N.W.A. Changed Music

A brief documentary about the Godfathers of Gangsta Rap, N.W.A. Produced and written by Matt Beat. Check out ‪@n.w.a.6422‬'s music: us.napster.com/artist/nwa
Sources/further reading:
www.allmusic.com/artist/nwa-m...
www.nwaworld.com/biography.php
aaep1600.osu.edu/book/24_NWA
www.bbc.com/culture/article/2...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N.W.A
www.blackpast.org/african-ame...
rafu.com/2014/09/a-long-legen...
blogs.dailybreeze.com/history/...
hiphopdx.com/news/id.33854/ti...
www.gq.com/story/nwa-f***-the...
www.rollingstone.com/music/mu...
Ruthless: A Memoir by Jerry Heller and Gil Reavill
Purchase here: amzn.to/3PIZ5lb
#nwa #musichistory #behindthemusic
In 2016, N.W.A. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and four of the surviving members, along with some of Eazy-E’s family, were there for the acceptance speech.
Today they are all still alive, and recognized as the godfathers of gangsta rap music. Despite still being controversial due to their explicit lyrics and glorification of crime, drugs, and misogyny, N.W.A. is arguably the most influential hip-hop group of all time. They’ve sold more than 10 million records. They left a lasting legacy that continues to this day. They brought not just gangsta rap, but ALL rap into the mainstream with their success, including broadening the appeal of hip-hop beyond just an African American audience. They rewrote the rules of rap. Before N.W.A., no hip-hop group sounded like them. After N.W.A., it seemed like every hip-hop group wanted to sound like them.

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Which rap group would you like for me to cover for this series next?

[@brandonayong5823]

Not a group but Eminem would be great. Discovered by a N. W. A member so it would be a great sequel to this video and then his life and career is just so extraordinary to analyze

[@nathanielcruz8872]

The BEE GEES

[@mattbeatgoeson]

@@brandonayong5823 Great suggestion. I'm a big Eminem fan and need to re-watch 8 Mile anyway.

[@mattbeatgoeson]

@@nathanielcruz8872 Uhhh RAP group? :)

[@brandonayong5823]

@@mattbeatgoeson Same here 😉

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

It's hilarious how Eazy-E decided to go from being a criminal to the much safer career of rapping about being a criminal.

[@mattbeatgoeson]

😄

[@gameboi20]

Ironic ain’t it

[@shonenjumpmagneto]

The drug game is ruff. I do not recommend unless I must recommend. Quick fix to many things lol. I kid.

[@2styx]

Wish u actually knew everything

[@vincentharris2259]

@@shonenjumpmagneto He was Smart If He Had Continued He Would Of either Gotten Killed Or Went To Prison.

[@NinjaDash360]

It's also important to note that their most famous album, "Straight Outta Compton" got honored in the Library of Congress's national recording registry in 2017. They were honored for the cultural significance the album had at the time and still has today.

[@ajohndaeal-asad6731]

wow I didn’t know that

[@jig556]

Thanks for the primary source man

[@looplop]

Thanks for sourcing that!

[@Noah73827]

Lol pretty ironic considering the subject matter

[@nah4407]

This line inspired me. "There's a store, but don't point, walk inside, case the joint" - Eazy E

[@NamesAreOverated]

What do you mean by that?🤨

[@callmeishmael5742]

What

[@gieldeeben7613]

One man behind the counter another in the back.

[@BasedRichardNixon]

“Go in broke, come out with cash”

[@seandawson5899]

Mr. Beat doesnt look like the guy you would think would cover N.W.A, but boy are we lucky he did. One of my favorite groups. I think anyone who's ever felt like they didn't go along with the status Quo could relate with N.W.A

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Yeah I liked Dr. Dre's solo stuff before I got into NWA, and no doubt I was shocked, but something about the appeal of a group that shouts out against corrupt systems :)

[@seandawson5899]

@@mattbeatgoeson I love that you have a diverse taste in most of the things you talk about on youtube. It makes your videos way better. Mr. Beat for Senator!

[@shonenjumpmagneto]

@@mattbeatgoeson bro i am shocked hy this channel & video. The style/theme was familiar then the voice resonated & i was shocked. Genuinely.

[@zerdocc]

He's really passionate about music. Great stuff Mr. Beat.

[@sovietfirestorm9086-archived-]

@@mattbeatgoeson goddammit mr beat you are and have been for years my favorite person even before i subscribed and you just keep getting more awesome every video

[@alexchavez2550]

Turning adversity into success is what I take out of this story of NWA. My mom grew up in LA in the 80s and said it was the first time she felt the city was depicted truthfully in music. She raised me on it and it helped me expand my music taste into so many genres. Definitely need to cover Wu-Tang Clan or Tribe Called Quest next, Mr Beat

[@noobidiot4628]

W mom

[@james_james_james]

I completely agree with those two picks, Wu-Tang and Quest are awesome.

[@alternateaccount4673]

If you wanna make a really long one or a several part long one, do the Wu Tang Clan Not only do they have lots of group albums to begin with but almost all of their members have big solo projects and collabs with other non-group members which would be fun to cover

[@joshsidhu543]

That doesn’t matter

[@ThrE3-GeS]

Fucc that east coast bull shit

[@DCT876]

Wu tang 4eva

[@bigpoppa9451]

@@joshsidhu543 yes it does

[@joshsidhu543]

@@bigpoppa9451 not really cause NWA has a lot of other more legendary solo albums.

[@maxn17coys]

And today is the day I found out Mr Beat has a second channel where he discusses my favorite topic: music. :) I’m a happy guy rn. Have a great day Mr Beat, thanks for kicking ass and spreading knowledge!

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Thanks Max! Yeah, I don't promote this channel as much, but I'm so glad you found it. :)

[@MrTaco6]

early NWA and the Posse had a lot of early dance/Electronica influence too, a lot of the early production techniques originated with dance DJs before rappers took on their own production styles. songs like Panic Zone highlight this early Electronica influence bigtime. Other early groups like Afrikaa Bambaataa had the same Electronica style too

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Thanks for bringing this up!

[@skylervalentinetoglia]

​@@mattbeatgoesondo insane clown posse pls

[@SlimSheaD]

Appreciate the closed captions, mr beat. Not a lot of KZbinrs do them but they come in clutch sometimes and watching this video was exactly one of those moments where they’re needed

[@Jivolt]

Saw NWA live in Cincinnati in 1989. One of the best concerts ever.

[@eldensmith6764]

MC Ren has always been under rated

[@swagbitch2059]

Truth

[@Riz2336]

I'm a huge fan, I have an NWA t-shirt and a poster in my room. They were pioneers man

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Definitely

[@skylervalentinetoglia]

​@@mattbeatgoesoncypress hill pls

[@PinkyJujubean]

I remember NWA being something that you often saw in metalheads tape collections. Not usually people that were into hair metal but people who were into thrash, death, and traditional metal. I'm guessing it's because of their hard sound

[@corvettefever360]

Yep! I grew up in the hood, from Brooklyn & Strong Island Long Island, NY. I'm white/Latino mix, & was in the middle of that in the hood, & being a metal head, fuckin with Slayer, Sepultura, Obituary, etc etc but definitely had NWA, KRS ONE, Ice -T etc etc And yes alot of metal heads from whiter areas listened to these also because it was hard-core like the metal. And believe in or not, while not to the same degree, there were & are many white kids , people who go thru the same crazy shit in the hood. Know that struggle too. Ironically tho, I knew alot of Black & Latino kids from the hood fuckin with that death metal too for similar reasons.

[@user-ol7bt4wp1j]

Honestly I’ve only been a metalhead for a year now and i can confirm that N.W.A actually is fucking amazing I think the stylistic similarity to ICE-T is also what made metalheads really like them cause of ice being kinda one of the first bridges between rap and rock so the 2 gangsta og’s definitely were a must for Metalheads.

[@coolpool4191]

Yeah metal is my favorite genre but man rap/hip-hop hits the spot

[@PinkyJujubean]

@@user-ol7bt4wp1j can confirm the Ice T connection. I'm 47 and a lifelong metal head. The first time I smoked weed we listened to Ice T. Body Count plus his rap albums were always found in people's collections. Ice T also had a connection to punk due to his friendships with people like Jello Biafra. Hip hop runs deep

[@cheshirecats6974]

I love your coverage on different types of genres! You should do Black Sabbath or focus on Ozzy next. I do wonder though, how do you find your information and string it so well together? I want to do self projects similar to this to learn more about music history

[@mattbeatgoeson]

I always corroborate and try to read at least one book for every artist. In other words, I don't just rely on the Wikipedia article. For every video I release, I put my sources in the description. Thank you for the kind words. When you start making videos, send me them so I can offer feedback. The only way to get good at this is to just start making them.

[@MichaelTurner856]

I subscribed to you and I will be waiting!

[@Lvndo]

i never knew Mr. Beat had this other channel and im already in love with it

[@ezeuzuka3344]

I love these brief history videos...very well done and I love the commentary as well... Hopefully one day I'll see a brief history of oasis...my favourite band

[@perry4777]

I love the concept of your videos and how you cover different musicians.

[@JonathanQShrimpling]

I had no idea Mr Beat had another channel, this is some very welcome news for my free time!

[@ilikepizza9889]

its always a good day when you post a new video on this channel :D

[@themumblebrapper]

wow I didnt expect an NWA video from you but I'm glad you made one because they're great

[@MadDragon75]

I lived through this living just on the other side of Santa Barbara. I bought the 💿 and cassette tapes like people bought a newspaper. They were the voice of Compton and we were all listening.

[@MadDragon75]

Looking at Bill Cosby and Ice Cube, us as kids young teens were told by our parents that one of them we're going to be in Disney movies and the other one was going to be in prison. They had NO IDEA!!

[@timbo_time]

Mr.Beat I had no idea you had this channel, my day is made

[@jaylene.turner6524]

Awesome group! R.I.P. Eazy-E. Please do the O’Jays next.

[@mattbeatgoeson]

He died way too young :(

[@m.bsowik3472]

Omg did I heard in outro the same piano clip like half in the bag. Nice great video by the way :D

[@lyricwilberg]

Great video! Please do one on A Tribe Called Quest

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Oh certainly. They are legends as well.

[@pat6429]

@@mattbeatgoeson Were you trying to sound as white as possible with that response?

[@MithrandilPlays]

YES

[@PXCKENT]

Been waiting on this one

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Hopefully it met your expectations

[@PXCKENT]

@@mattbeatgoeson blew them out of the water. Taught me a whole lot the movie didn’t thank you

[@jplayzow]

It would be cool to see you going through the process of learning the history of members and bands especially to see your process for choosing bands

[@abkbofficial]

Perfect Timing! Was just watching straight outta compton for the first time recently, great video by the way. You should consider metallica next, they truly revolutionized metal in the 80's by essentially creating trash metal. Not to mention they have a long and interesting history that would fit great in this series. Anyways keep up the good work, I appreciate the research you do for these videos!

[@jaska138]

Metallica didnt create thrash metal? :D

[@shonenjumpmagneto]

I have seen 'Straight Outta Compton' (2015) 15X between The Theatrical & Extended Cuts. I own the Blu-Ray. I fucking cherish it. It's one of my favorite films of all time.

[@shonenjumpmagneto]

@@jaska138 who did then? Genuinely asking.

[@jaska138]

@@shonenjumpmagneto I dont think there is a Single Band that invented it so thats hard question to answer check wikipedia or something. All i can say Metallica and Megadeth both took huge inspiration from band called Diamond Head.

[@abkbofficial]

@@jaska138 yeah, they had lots of influences over in Britain but there wasn't a band out there at that time that had such a defined trash metal sound. Diamond head and motorhead were close but I wouldn't call them trash metal. Kill Em All was the pioneering trash album and Master of Puppets was the definitive trash metal album at the time it came out.

[@mightyraccoon7155]

This is my first time finding your 2nd channel & I had no idea you fucked with G-Rap. I love what you do man! Keep it up!

[@davidrangeljr_]

I remember Ice Cube saying that the DOC was basically the 6th member of NWA. His lyric contributions were a main factor to their success as well. And his album No One Can Do It Better still hits hard. It does not sound like something from 1989 but way more recent

[@ryad8221]

i love this guy's videos so much

[@808_rafa]

Im obsessed with this channel

[@mishaaldar8434]

This is the video I've been waiting for

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Hopefully it met your expectations

[@mishaaldar8434]

@@mattbeatgoeson 100%❤️

[@Henry-vv2ri]

eazy is literally a business man yo

[@eler2654]

Jerry heller suing straight outta Compton has to be the funniest thing I’ve seen today, I never knew he did that! 😂

[@lyumee836]

My favorite group of all time! Full of their merch, love them!

[@mattbeatgoeson]

That's awesome

[@DC2_Danny]

They really are the greatest music artists ever

[@Bean_Marine]

I’d love to see one on The Beach Boys or David Bowie

[@Ykwhat75]

THANK YOU FOR MAKING ONE ABOUT N.W.A. 🔥🔥🔥💯💯😈😈 GREAT VIDEO

[@UndergroundSkat2000]

I literally laughed out loud at the "well I'm a white dude from Kansas so I'll just let you read it..." 😆😆😆

[@vargas218]

Great recap.

[@BeatleLOVER]

UR a LEGEND keep educating us

[@Hellismary]

Now we’re talking 👏🏾!

[@Guwaposteven]

The Rolling Stones! Looking forward to it!

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Eventually yes

[@deadlyqueen4005]

You should totally do AC/DC next! While yes the music has its criticism I believe the band’s history is super fascinating

[@james_james_james]

Now we need a Wu-Tang Clan video. The Wu-Tang Clan is the type of rap group that I feel Mr. Beat could do wonders with for a video. If not them, A Tribe Called Quest is definitely something I would love to see. Especially The Roots, they have a very interesting history.

[@joujou1450]

I know I keep requesting people, but what about doing a vid on Dio. I just feel as if his vocals and choreography kinda defined the metal genre as we know it. And if you don’t wanna do him or my other requests that’s perfectly alright. Glad you’re making the content you like! But if I can ask, what certain attributes does a musician or band need to have in order for you to want to make a vid on them? Thanks for the great content, I hope your career thrives into something ery nice!

[@dyl.m]

Love these videos, you should do metallica next! keep it up brother

[@mattbeatgoeson]

I appreciate that!

[@snowballasao8946]

"Well... I'm a white dude from Kansas so I'll just let you read it" -The Beat Goes On, 2022

[@jonbooker6359]

How am I just now finding this channel

[@lix1309]

I really like your videos and I would like to see a history of Van Halen if that could be possible, that would be really nice

[@liam2967]

Nice video!

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Thanks Liam!

[@philipanthonyclark3225]

Great video.

[@tannerpeart9057]

Man we need more of this

[@kweku_afshari]

Beat man you’re hilarious. Good video!

[@devingiles6597]

Mr. Beat, you should definitely do a brief history of 2 Live Crew. They were infamous for their controversial 1989 album, As Nasty as They Wanna Be.

[@zagorthegreat]

Great explanation and history for the best world’s most dangerous group N. W. A. They are irreplaceable

[@aaronluke1993]

Also, I’d love to see you cover Public Enemy!

[@H0LYJ03]

Never expected the man to touch on N.W.A., but he did. I genuinely want to see you do a video on U2 or Linkin Park.

[@leandercuellar767]

Mr beat I didn’t know you do this

[@brandonayong5823]

Man I missed your uploads

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Well thanks for being here early!

[@paddle_my_mad_laddle]

Nice! Would love to see a video on Jay Z or Wu Tang! Fugees and Lauren Hill would also make for great artists to cover!

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Great suggestions!

[@dareshowemimo699]

My fav song of them is just don’t bite if u listen u a legend

[@alonkatz4633]

You should make a video about Beethoven. His story is inspiring and worth telling.

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Unironically heck yeah

[@worshipkyama9566]

@@mattbeatgoeson yes please do,and the stones,oh please do the stones 😥😥

[@kylelawson91]

mr beat your street cred just keep going up and up and up

[@not-a-user427]

please do a video on the band rush !

[@mattmcdonald5798]

Yooooo gonna be a great video love nwa

[@mattbeatgoeson]

YAS

[@mangekyotashi]

Woah, is this Mr.Beat? YOU HAVE A SECOND CHANNEL?!?

[@jamesheath7601]

Great group RIP Eazy E

[@isakjarlestedt2001]

Great video! Love N.W.A. ♥💖💕

[@GibyTheGreat]

This was amazing as usual next u should do Jimi Hendrix

[@kevinhanson2863]

Would love to see a video on Blink-182 or Steely Dan.

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Right on

[@ethanczwartynski9910]

Love ur videos 👌

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Thank you Ethan!

[@powum]

This videos gonna get a million if not millions of views 👍

[@anderswibbidy449]

you are a man of many genres

[@mattbeatgoeson]

I try 😁

[@Wit-da-19]

Yo tks so much for this,I Love nwa and easy-e

[@moesanchez4953]

Mr beat. Please please please do a brief history of 2 live crew, not only was N.W.A an impactful and I guess controversial rap group, but imo they were the ones that was mostly responsible for the parental advisory explicit content sticker to be on albums

[@devingiles6597]

Hey, Mr. Beat. Can you please do a video on the brief history of the Wu-Tang Clan?

[@aqxticz]

I would really love to see a video about The Doors. :)

[@njb1126]

Ever heard of the sundays mr beat? I’ve never heard a voice as beautiful as Harriet wheeler’s

[@mattbeatgoeson]

I LOVE The Sundays. I regularly listen to them believe it or not

[@njb1126]

@@mattbeatgoeson I’m very excited to hear that. Not many of friends listen to them but they’re my favorite band. Look up this article “searching for the sundays” by David obuchowski. He wanted to interview David and Harriet but decided not to.

[@tobbyhappy3572]

Yes.

[@dariush7525]

I was thrown off in the beginning I didn’t realize Mr.Beat ran this channel

[@familytwitchen7624]

4:01 Why Didn't Yous Say That The D.O.C Was A New Member

[@CarsonC.]

I remember when my cousin went to LA, and he met Eazy at a record store

[@patrickmcdermott06]

Omg I didn't know mr beat had this account

[@jacksonseyl1063]

Please do the Doors next 🙏

[@esty2594]

Best one yet

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Thank you!

[@jamesnewton3632]

Mc Ren and The DOC actually wrote most of Eazy E debut album

[@mattlukasik2486]

We really need one on MF DOOM and Madlib

[@brucehidrogo4507]

I 1st heard them by the name of nwa and the posse...dope man was the sht...was the 1st jam I heard that went hard....had to listen to it without my parents around....

[@emack4371]

Ren's pen was highlighted on Easy E album just as much as Cube's if not more.....yall need to put respect on his pen game

[@sethmaki1333]

NWA's music wasn't what i loved growing up. It was music tha I had to grow up to love.

[@kingofkings69ner]

A history teacher teaching us the history of NWA rap group

[@das0ul177]

Do you think you could do one on rhcp?

[@noahs.627]

Bro I never knew Mr beat had other channels

[@Newhavenrailroadpro2006]

do a brief history of rush

[@aklunar3063]

Mr beat when from comparing states and state rivalries to talking about the fuckin Beatles and n.w.a

[@veepeecee8630]

I love NWA I’m glad u did some history on it. But this sounds funny the way u did it. 😂

[@thugravity]

eazy had such a unique voice man he was so cool

[@PeaceWPN]

Do Odd Future next