(Vocals: Ice Cube [O'Shea Jackson], b. Los Angeles, June 15, 1969; Dr. Dre [Andre Young], b. Los Angeles, Feb. 18, 1965; Eazy-E [Eric Wright], b. Los Angeles, Sept. 7, 1963; d. there, Mar. 26, 1995; MC Ren [Lorenzo Patterson] , b. Los Angeles, June 16, year unknown; DJ Yella [Antoine Carraby], b. Los Angeles, Dec. 11, year unknown.) Popular RAP group of the early '90s. The group formed around the performer/record company owner Wright (aka Eazy-E) and composers Jackson (Ice Cube) and Young (Dr. Dre). Eazy-E had a hit with Cube and Dre's Boyz-n-the-Hood, inspiring them to join forces in the group N.WA. (Niggaz Wit Attitude).

N.W.A.'s debut album, Straight Outta Compton (1989), featured early gangster rap attitudes, including F-k the Police and Dopeman. Despite its success, Cube felt he was shortchanged by the group and left it soon after. He has since enjoyed a successful solo recording and acting career.

The group's second album, Efil4zaggin ("Niggaz 4 life" spelled backwards), was another smash hit. On it, they spouted antifemale lyrics, while attacking ex-member Ice Cube (establishing the dissing wars so favored by rap acts). However, the group soon splintered into individual activities. Eazy-E gained notoriety on his own as a producer/performer, as did Dr. Dre.

Eazy-E died of AIDS in March 1995.