Not to be considered an N.W.A best-of (1996's Greatest Hits accomplishes that), The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 1: 1988-1998 is actually a compilation of some of the better cuts from the group, the group members' solo work, and their collaborations with others. In fact, there are only three actual N.W.A tracks on here, "Fuck tha Police," "Alwayz into Something," and "Straight Outta Compton," with more of the glory going to Eazy-E and Dr. Dre, the latter of whose "Natural Born Killaz," "Keep Their Heads Ringin'," and "Let Me Ride" make up the bulk of the compilation's second disc. It's a nice sampler of early West Coast rap, but it doesn't quite delve into any artist's repertoire enough to give a true taste of any of them. Add this to the fact that the tracks aren't in chronological order, and The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 1: 1988-1998 becomes a better option for those who are looking for a broad overview of a scene they don't know much about, but it's a fun collection nonetheless, and shouldn't be thought of any less because of it. ~ Marisa Brown, All Music Guide
Eric Poppleton (Cover Art), Dean Karr (Photography), WC (Performer), Daz Dillinger (Performer), Daniel Jordon (Cover Art), Michael Miller (Photography), Mario Castellanos (Cover Art), AMG (Performer), Roger Troutman (Performer), Chicu Modu (Cover Art), Tha Dogg Pound (Performer), 2Pac (Performer), MC Ren (Performer), Ice Cube (Performer), Da Lench Mob (Performer), Pamela Springsteen (Photography), Michael Miller (Cover Art), William Hames (Cover Art), Eric Poppleton (Photography), Dr. Dre (Performer), Penthouse Players Clique (Performer), DJ Quik (Performer), Westside Connection (Performer), Snoop Dogg (Performer), William Hames (Photography), Eazy-E (Performer), Pamela Springsteen (Cover Art), Daniel Jordon (Photography), Mario Castellanos (Photography), Above the Law (Performer), The D.O.C. (Performer), N.W.A. (Performer), Mack 10 (Performer), Dean Karr (Cover Art), Mark Copeland (Compilation Producer), Chicu Modu (Photography)
The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 1: 1988-1998 is a compilation of various tracks by N.W.A and its solo members Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and Yella. There are only three tracks by the group collectively (including "Straight Outta Compton" and "Fuck the Police"), and most of the tracks are by N.W.A members' solo work and collaborations with other rappers, including "It Was a Good Day (Remix)" and "Dead Homiez" from Ice Cube, "Boyz-n-tha Hood (Remix)" and "We Want Eazy" by Eazy-E, "California Love," "Natural Born Killaz," and "Let Me Ride" by Dr. Dre.[2]
Marisa Brown of Allmusic considered this a "fun compilation" despite the flaws she perceived such as not being a "best-of" compilation and most tracks being N.W.A solo work.[2] The RIAA certified the album Gold on December 13, 1999 and later Platinum on September 30, 2002.[3]
References
^Doyle, Tom. "Review: N.W.A - The N.W.A Legacy Volume 1, 1988–1998". Q (EMAP Metro Ltd) (July 1999): 129.
