N.W.A's Winning Case; British Court Rules "Efil4zaggin" Not Obscene

[awol22222]

The judges asked questions such as, "Is rap a form of a cult?" and "What do people do at rap concerts?" and entertained intellectual debate on the hidden meanings of terms such as "nigga," "yo bitch" and a few unprintables. Defense witnesses offered a cut-by-cut analysis (and in some cases justification) following the view that hard-core rap albums are news reports representing "a strong, almost nightmarish picture of the environment," in the words of Wendy K, a musician who taught in the Compton school system. She testified that "N.W.A. depicts a crazy, confused, mixed-up world. ... It's extremely important for people to understand how the other half lives. ... This album takes you into something else." Asked whether there was a lesson there, she added, "Yeah, don't go to Compton!"

Just as last year's 2 Live Crew obscenity trial in Florida drew little official support from the American record industry, the N.W.A. case drew no support from the British phonograph industry. N.W.A. member Eazy E told Melody Maker: "Richard Pryor and Andrew Dice Clay make their money from cussing and telling jokes. This is how we make our money, so mind your own damn business. ... If you don't like it, don't buy it. I hope they leave us alone now."

In an unusual plot twist, Island itself recently removed two tracks from the British pressing of "Death Certificate," the album by former N.W.A. member Ice Cube, including one track ("No Vaseline") in which he lambastes his old group, to the point of suggesting that Eazy E be strung up and set on fire. This is the same song that seems to advocate the murder of N.W.A.'s Jewish manager, Jerry Heller. The other excised song is "Black Korea," which has provoked much controversy in this country with its depictions of tensions between African Americans and Korean shop owners (it includes a threat of burning down Koreans' stores in black communities if African American customers are treated with disrespect).

[KURUPTION-81]

Nice post, didnt even know about the case.

[Dre-Day]

haha it's 2011, yet nothing has changed

[TT Makaveli]

man lol @ removing No Vaseline from the Death Certificate album...this is like one of the reasons to buy that album...fukkin Britians 

[KURUPTION-81]

Its been available in full in britain for a while now.

[OG Hack Wilson]

man lol @ removing No Vaseline from the Death Certificate album...this is like one of the reasons to buy that album...fukkin Britians 

No Vasoline and Black Korea are the 2 best songs on that whole CD!

[OG Hack Wilson]

Its been available in full in britain for a while now.

who cares?

its still hilarious that ya'll euro's werent ready for the rawness of American conflicts in the early 90s

[KURUPTION-81]

Its no different to the american goverment removing ice T cop killa, or them discussing banning tupacs music. All this euro v america is getting very boring.

[OG Hack Wilson]

Its no different to the american goverment removing ice T cop killa, or them discussing banning tupacs music. All this euro v america is getting very boring.

[/b]

we kicked your asses in the 1700s and ya'll been sore ever since

[dnjp4life]

I'm assuming this case is old and originated at the time Efil4Zaggin came out right?  Would be a bit random for this to arise now.

[The "Untouchable" DJR]

Ah the turbulent late 80s/early 90s in Hip Hop: Cop Killa, Fuck Tha Police, Luke/2 Live Crew, Geto Boys, Paris, Professor Griff etc it definitely generated some good music.

[awol22222]

man lol @ removing No Vaseline from the Death Certificate album...this is like one of the reasons to buy that album...fukkin Britians 

No Vasoline and Black Korea are the 2 best songs on that whole CD!

[awol22222]

I'm assuming this case is old and originated at the time Efil4Zaggin came out right?  Would be a bit random for this to arise now.

I post alot of NWA/Eazy-E stuff that is old. Appreciate it.

[Black Excellence]

I'm assuming this case is old and originated at the time Efil4Zaggin came out right?  Would be a bit random for this to arise now.

I post alot of NWA/Eazy-E stuff that is old. Appreciate it.

+1. keep up the exceptional work.

[Dre-Day]

I'm assuming this case is old and originated at the time Efil4Zaggin came out right?  Would be a bit random for this to arise now.

I post alot of NWA/Eazy-E stuff that is old. Appreciate it.

i didn't think his comment was criticising your topic