The original lineup consisted of Arabian Prince, DJ Yella, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube,and MC Ren; Arabian Prince embarked on a solo career in 1989 and Ice Cube left in December of that year over royalty disputes. Several members would later become platinum-selling solo artists in the 1990s. Their debut album Straight Outta Compton marked the beginning of the new gangsta rap era as the production and social commentary in their lyrics were revolutionary within the genre. Rolling Stone ranked N.W.A number 83 on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."
The group released two albums, "Straight Outta Compton" (1988) and "Niggaz4Life" (1991) before disbanding in 1991. The group also released a compilation record, "N.W.A. and the Posse" (1987) and an EP, "100 Miles and Runnin' " (1990).There was also a "Greatest Hits" compilation released (1996). Both Straight Outta Compton (2002) and Greatest Hits (2003) have been Re-Issued with extra tracks.
8 Ball
N.W.A Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nickname Eazy-E yo' 8 ball junkie
Bass drum kickin, to show my shit
Rappin holdin my dick boy, I don't quit
Crowd rockin motherfucker from around the way
I got a six-shooter, yo' mean hombre'
Rollin through the hood, to find the boys
To kick dust and cuss, crank up some noise
40 ounce in my lap and it's freezin my balls
I hook a right turn and let the boys go past
Then I say to myself, "They can kiss my ass!"
Hip to get drunk got the 8 in my lips
Put in the old tape Marvin Gaye's greatest hits
Turn the shit up had the bass cold whompin
Cruisin through the Eastside, South of Compton
See a big ass, and I say word
I took a look at the face, and the bitch was to the curb
Hoes on my tip for the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's fucked up and got the 8 ball rollin
Ridin on Slausson lookin for Crenshaw
Turned down the sound, to ditch the law
Stopped at a light and had a fit
Cause a Mexican almost wrecked my shit
Flipped his ass off, put it to the floor
Bottle was empty so I went to the store
Nigga on tilt cause I was drunk
See a sissy-ass punk, had to go in my trunk
Reached inside cause it's like that
Came back out with a silver gat
Fired at the punk, and it was all because
I had to show the nigga what time it was
Pulled out the jammy and like a mirage
A sissy like that got out of Dodge
Sucka on me cause the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's fucked up and got the 8 ball rollin
"Fuck it up y'all!"
Olde English 800 cause that's my brand
Take it in a bottle, 40, quart, or can
Drink it like a madman, yes I do
Fuck the police and a 502
Stepped in the party, I was drunk as hell
Three bitches already said, "Eric yo' breath smells!"
40 ounce in hand, that's what I got
"Yo man you see Eazy hurling in the parkin lot?"
Stepped on your foot, cold dissed yo' ho
Asked her to dance and she said
"Hell no!"
Called her a bitch cause that's the rule
"Bitch, who you callin a bitch?!"
Boys in the hood tryin to keep me cool
You tell my homeboy you wanna kick my butt
I walked in your face and we get 'em up
I start droppin the dogs, and watch you fold
Just dumb full of cum, got knocked out cold
"Made you look sick you snotty-nosed prick!
Now your fly bitch is all over his
Dick!"
Punk got dropped cause the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's fucked up and got the 8 ball rollin
Pass the brew motherfucker while I tear shit up
And y'all listen up close to roll call
Eazy-E's in the place I got money and juice
Rendezvous with me and we make the deuce
Dre makes the beats so god damn funky
Do the Olde 8, fuck the brass monkey
Ice Cube writes the rhymes, that I say
Hail to the niggas from C.I.A
Krazy D is down and in effect
We make hardcore jams, so fuck respect
Make a toast punky-punk to the title I'm holdin
Eazy-E's fucked up and got the 8 ball rollin
In the song "8 Ball" by N.W.A, Eazy-E credits himself as the "8 ball junkie." The lyrics describe Eazy's affinity for drinking and partying, especially with Olde English 800, a brass monkey cocktail made from malt liquor and orange juice. Eazy-E also boasts about his ability to rap and perform for crowds, often holding his crotch as a symbol of his confidence. He details how he cruises through the streets of Compton in his car, armed with a six-shooter and his favorite Marvin Gaye tape. Along the way, he has altercations with the police and other people in the area. Despite the obstacles, Eazy-E takes pride in his lifestyle and status as a rapper.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't drink brass monkey, like to be funky
I prefer to keep it real and be myself rather than conforming to mainstream trends.
Nickname Eazy-E yo' 8 ball junkie
I'm a fan of cocaine and will indulge whenever I can.
Bass drum kickin, to show my shit
I'm all about that bass and want everyone to know it.
Rappin holdin my dick boy, I don't quit
I exude confidence and masculinity, and won't be stopped by anyone.
Crowd rockin motherfucker from around the way
I'm a popular and respected figure in my community.
I got a six-shooter, yo' mean hombre'
I'm always armed and ready to defend myself against any threats.
Rollin through the hood, to find the boys
I'm cruising around looking for my homies to hang out with.
To kick dust and cuss, crank up some noise
We're going to create a ruckus, curse a lot and blast some loud music.
Police on my drawers, I have to pause
The cops are following me and I need to slow down to avoid getting caught.
40 ounce in my lap and it's freezin my balls
I'm holding a cold 40 oz beer can on my lap and feeling the cold sensation.
I hook a right turn and let the boys go past
I turn right and let my friends drive by before catching up with them later.
Then I say to myself, "They can kiss my ass!"
I don't care what anyone thinks of me or my actions.
Hip to get drunk got the 8 in my lips
I'm ready to get drunk and I have an 8-ball of cocaine in my possession.
Put in the old tape Marvin Gaye's greatest hits
I'm going to play classic soul music to enhance my cruising experience.
Turn the shit up had the bass cold whompin
I raise the volume and feel the powerful bass beat resonating through the car.
Cruisin through the Eastside, South of Compton
I'm driving around East LA, south of Compton, California.
See a big ass, and I say word
I see a curvaceous woman and approve, saying 'Word!'.
I took a look at the face, and the bitch was to the curb
Upon closer inspection, I realize that the woman is unattractive and unworthy of my attention.
Hoes on my tip for the title I'm holdin
Women are attracted to me because I'm a respected figure and have power in my community.
Eazy-E's fucked up and got the 8 ball rollin
I'm under the influence of drugs and going on a bender.
Ridin on Slausson lookin for Crenshaw
I'm driving around looking for a particular neighborhood in South LA.
Turned down the sound, to ditch the law
I turned down the music to avoid attracting police attention.
Stopped at a light and had a fit
I became angry and irritated when a Mexican driver almost crashed into my car at a stoplight.
Cause a Mexican almost wrecked my shit
I'm using a racial slur to describe the other driver who almost hit me.
Flipped his ass off, put it to the floor
I gave the other driver the middle finger and accelerated away quickly.
Bottle was empty so I went to the store
My alcohol bottle was empty, so I stopped at a store to refill it.
Nigga on tilt cause I was drunk
I was heavily intoxicated and acting recklessly.
See a sissy-ass punk, had to go in my trunk
I saw someone who appeared weak and cowardly, so I climbed to my trunk to grab my gun.
Reached inside cause it's like that
I instinctively reached for my gun because I felt threatened by the other person.
Came back out with a silver gat
I returned with my silver gun.
Fired at the punk, and it was all because
I shot the weak person because I felt disrespected or threatened by them.
I had to show the nigga what time it was
I had to demonstrate to them that I am in control and willing to use violence to prove it.
Pulled out the jammy and like a mirage
I pulled out my gun as if it appeared out of nowhere.
A sissy like that got out of Dodge
The person I shot fled the scene quickly.
Sucka on me cause the title I'm holdin
People are eager to confront or disrespect me because of my reputation and power.
Olde English 800 cause that's my brand
My preferred brand of alcohol is Olde English 800.
Take it in a bottle, 40, quart, or can
I'll consume my alcohol from any container, including bottles, cans or 40 oz malt liquor bottles.
Drink it like a madman, yes I do
I drink excessively and with abandon.
Fuck the police and a 502
I have a disregard for the police and alcohol limits (referring to California vehicle code 502).
Stepped in the party, I was drunk as hell
I entered a party heavily under the influence of alcohol.
Three bitches already said, "Eric yo' breath smells!"
Three women already criticized my breath odor upon my arrival at the party.
40 ounce in hand, that's what I got
I'm holding a 40 oz beer bottle.
"Yo man you see Eazy hurling in the parkin lot?"
Someone asks if I've vomited in the parking lot because I'm extremely intoxicated.
Stepped on your foot, cold dissed yo' ho
I stepped on someone's foot and insulted their girlfriend.
Asked her to dance and she said "Hell no!"
The girlfriend refused to dance with me.
Called her a bitch cause that's the rule
I insulted the woman because it's expected in my peer group.
"Bitch, who you callin a bitch?!"
I confront the woman for challenging my insult.
Boys in the hood tryin to keep me cool
My friends try to keep me out of trouble and avoid confrontation.
You tell my homeboy you wanna kick my butt
Someone threatens to fight me by telling my friend.
I walked in your face and we get 'em up
I confront the person and we start a physical fight.
I start droppin the dogs, and watch you fold
I fight aggressively and watch the other person falter and give up.
Just dumb full of cum, got knocked out cold
The other person falls unconscious because of my potent punches.
"Made you look sick you snotty-nosed prick!
Now your fly bitch is all over his
Dick!"
I brag about defeating the other person and stealing his girlfriend.
Punk got dropped cause the title I'm holdin
I defeated the other person because of my reputation and power.
Pass the brew motherfucker while I tear shit up
Pass me the beer so I can quickly down it while causing chaos.
And y'all listen up close to roll call
Everyone in my group should listen closely to my intentions for the night.
Eazy-E's in the place I got money and juice
My presence means that there will be a lot of money and alcohol.
Rendezvous with me and we make the deuce
Those interested can meet up with me and we'll get drunk together.
Dre makes the beats so god damn funky
My friend Dre makes excellent music productions that I love.
Do the Olde 8, fuck the brass monkey
Let's drink Olde English 800 and not the trendy Brass Monkey cocktail.
Ice Cube writes the rhymes, that I say
My friend Ice Cube is the lyrical genius who pens my raps.
Hail to the niggas from C.I.A
I give recognition to my group C.I.A (Cru' in Action!) and salute them.
Krazy D is down and in effect
My friend Krazy D is reliable and effective in our group.
We make hardcore jams, so fuck respect
We create intense, raw music that doesn't care about opinions or reactions from others.
Make a toast punky-punk to the title I'm holdin
Let's raise our glasses and drink to my power and status.
Eazy-E's fucked up and got the 8 ball rollin
I'm heavily under the influence of drugs and in a state of drunkenness.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDRE YOUNG, LARRY TROUTMAN, O'SHEA JACKSON, ROGER TROUTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind