It's a Compton Thang
Compton's Most Wanted · 1990
45 min · 11 tracks · hip-hop
A raw blend of gritty narratives and funk-infused beats that encapsulate the essence of West Coast street life.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Is Compton — This track serves as an anthem for Compton, vividly depicting life in the city through sharp lyrics and a memorable hook that captures the spirit of the community.
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One Time Gaffled Em Up — Opening with strong beats and a catchy refrain, this track lays down the foundation for the album's narrative style while addressing systemic issues faced by residents.
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I’m Wit Dat — This track showcases the group’s lyrical prowess and confidence, employing a funky instrumental backdrop that exemplifies their unique sound within gangsta rap.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends narratives with funk beats, establishing a solid foundation for West Coast hip-hop.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the communal feel typical of live performances.
- The production incorporates funk samples and heavy bass lines, creating a distinct West Coast sound that underpins the lyrical narratives.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- immersive storytelling experience
- late-night contemplative moods
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on May 24, 1990, It's a Compton Thang was Compton's Most Wanted's debut studio album following their earlier success with singles like 'Creepin' On Ah Come Up.' At this point, they were establishing themselves as key voices in the emerging gangsta rap scene, setting the stage for their subsequent projects. This album solidified their position within the West Coast hip-hop landscape.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 One Time Gaffled Em Up 3:55
- 2 I’m Wit Dat 4:56
- 3 Final Chapter 4:37
- 4 I Give Up Nuthin’ 3:03
- 5 This Is Compton 4:32
- 6 Rhymes Too Funky, Part 1 (live at Lonzo’s 1988) 2:29
- 7 Duck Sick 4:30
- 8 Give It Up 4:09
- 9 Late Night Hype 4:49
- 10 I Mean Biznez 3:47
- 11 It’s a Compton Thang 5:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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