It was announced on Wednesday that N.W.A.’s legendary debut studio album, Straight Outta Compton, is among one of the picks for this year’s preservation by the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Recordings that are chosen are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States.”
In 2015, the biographical film Straight Outta Compton was released to extremely positive reviews from critics. The film depicts the starting years of the group, which consisted of Dr. Dre, MC Ren, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince, and their eventual journey towards creating a spot for themselves in history. FBI Assistant Director Milt Ahlerich sent a letter to Gui Manganiello, Priority Records’ (the group’s label) National Promotions Director, that stated that the album “encourages violence against and disrespect for the law enforcement officer.”
The film also depicts the infamous concert during their 1989 tour in Detroit in which police officers demanded that the song “Fuck Tha Police” should not be performed in fear that it might ignite violence. N.W.A, however, performed it regardless, prompting police to immediately stop the show though still igniting a riot.
“I remember years ago when N.W.A. came to Detroit,” said retired police Sgt. Larry Courts. “I was working the gang squad at the time. Those types of venues, we were always there. We had contact with N.W.A. in advance that there was one song that they had out at the time. I’m sure some of you remember – well maybe not the young kids, but the old kids – Eff the Police. It wasn’t going to happen in the city of Detroit. And we told them that before they came. We were strategically placed throughout … Joe Louis Arena. I said, ‘This is America. They should be allowed to sing their song.’ The fear is that it would incite (trouble). Me and some of the other supervisors and … some of the guys who worked the streets … we didn’t think there was going to be a riot. But we had our marching orders. We were told that under no circumstance that they were to perform that song.”
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