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Original Gangstas
- The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap
- Narrated by: J.D. Jackson
- Length: 15 hrs and 17 mins
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Original Gangstas
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Summary
"Raw, authoritative, and unflinching ... An elaborately detailed, darkly surprising, definitive history of the LA gangsta rap era."—Kirkus, starred review
A monumental, revealing narrative history about the legendary group of artists at the forefront of West Coast hip-hop: Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur.
Amid rising gang violence, the crack epidemic, and police brutality, a group of unlikely voices cut through the chaos of late 1980s Los Angeles: N.W.A. Led by a drug dealer, a glammed-up producer, and a high school kid, N.W.A. gave voice to disenfranchised African Americans across the country. And they quickly redefined pop culture across the world.
Their names remain as popular as ever: Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube. Dre soon joined forces with Suge Knight to create the combustible Death Row Records, which in turn transformed Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur into superstars.
Ben Westhoff explores how this group of artists shifted the balance of hip-hop from New York to Los Angeles. He shows how N.W.A.'s shocking success lead to rivalries between members, record labels, and eventually a war between East Coast and West Coast factions. In the process, hip-hop burst into mainstream America at a time of immense social change, and became the most dominant musical movement of the last thirty years. At gangsta rap's peak, two of its biggest names—Tupac and Biggie Smalls—were murdered, leaving the surviving artists to forge peace before the genre annihilated itself.
Featuring extensive investigative reporting, interviews with the principal players, and dozens of never-before-told stories, Original Gangstas is a groundbreaking addition to the history of popular music.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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Critic reviews
"I trust Ben Westhoff. I trust him to report a story and I trust him to tell a story, and that's exactly what he's done here in Original Gangstas. He's taken what's always felt like an almost impossibly knotted string of storylines and plot points in gangsta rap, the most turbulent version of the most popular music on the planet, and turned them into an airtight and unflinching book. Original Gangstas is as resolute as the people and ideas it sets out to profile, and that is no small feat."—Shea Serrano, New York Times bestselling author of The Rap Year Book
"Scrupulously researched with many incisive revelations, this may be the best book ever written about the hip hop world."—S. Leigh Savidge, Academy Award nominee and co-writer of Straight Outta Compton
"A provocative, multifaceted portrait of essential rap pioneers who ushered the hip-hop music scene to greatness.... As raw, authoritative, and unflinching as the music his narrative chronicles, Westhoff comprehensively uncovers the factual roots of the gangsta rap movement and admirably credits those whose footprints paved the way for the younger rappers emerging today.... An elaborately detailed, darkly surprising, definitive history of the LA gangsta rap era."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
What listeners say about Original Gangstas
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- Jackie
- 04-04-22
really good read
This book is first rate informative, insightful and, as strangely as it may sound given the subject matter, an enjoyable to read.
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- Ramona S.
- 23-08-18
For hip-hop fans and American culture vultures
This book provides a superb overview of the topic for hip-hop fans and those interested in the impact of it upon wider American culture. Focusing on the origins of West Coast gangster rap, it progresses to show how social reality was projected by those immersed in it to a wider audience. It has a superb range of sources that JD Jackson manages to quite staggeringly interpret vocally with one of the best audio book performances I have heard. Highly recommended listen.
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- Steve B
- 23-02-21
Highly recommended
Brilliantly researched and a well balanced historical retelling of a fascinating period in rap music; the narration is excellent. Very enjoyable and informative listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr. J. Nicholson
- 25-01-23
Very enjoyable read
I'm a big hip hop fan and over the years have picked up a fair amount of knowledge about this era. However, this was still a very good listen and such a well researched and well written book. Very much caught the characters, the context and the real heart and soul of these times. Brought back some great memories and some sad heartbreaks.
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- Phil
- 09-09-18
Excellent throughout
Just superb. A must for any West Coast rap fan. An excellent and detailed account. Well researched.
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- neil stafford
- 23-02-22
By far the best book, covering every angle of the genre, and the best history lesson I have had on the subject!!!
As a teenager growing up just outside London, UK, I still remember my mate playing me this tape he said I had to here. Ice T, that was my introduction and I was instantly hooked and still am too this day. The book gives just the right amount of detail on every subject it covers and taught me so many things I didn’t know on the WHOLE story. 35 years later from my first listen to ICE T, I am still a huge fan of all forms of Rap and Hip Hop, across the board.
This has rubbed off on my son fortunately and as soon as Straight out of Compton was released at the cinema, we went and watched it together!
The book is a solid 10/10
Also. I listened via Audible and a note of respect to the narrator, as well as the author and anyone involved behind the scenes, fantastic work.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Scott
- 24-01-20
This is the absolute best breakdown of the history of gangsta rap.
This book from the perspective of myself who is around for the early years I am now in my mid 30s, but grew up in the 90s
What I highly recommend doing is as each song track et cetera it’s mentioned refer yourself to Spotify or Apple Music for the briefest Moment and listen to that song before continuing the book. It extends upon and brings immense detail into the story and the things that are referenced.
I have learned a great deal upon this lesson I would highly recommend it to anyone who are not only fans of the fathers of the genre but to simply those who want to understand more about these days of the music industry.
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- Richard Alan Lockwood
- 18-05-21
memories of old skool. god i miss 2pac. go get it
this is a great story told and surprised to learn a new perspective if 2pac and suge saga too
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- Guni Dio Hannes
- 24-08-21
amazing story and amazingly detailed.
A must for any hip hop enthusiast!!!
so many details and stories you wouldn't imagine
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- Mr B L T
- 22-03-23
Very informative and interesting
Really enjoyed this audiobook, it seems very well researched and have a good insight into the history of west coast hip hop
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