Original Gangstas Audiobook By Ben Westhoff cover art

Original Gangstas

The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap

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Original Gangstas

By: Ben Westhoff
Narrated by: J. D. Jackson
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"Raw, authoritative, and unflinching ... An elaborately detailed, darkly surprising, definitive history of the LA gangsta rap era." -- Kirkus, starred review

A monumental, revealing narrative history about the legendary group of artists at the forefront of West Coast hip-hop: Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur.

Amid rising gang violence, the crack epidemic, and police brutality, a group of unlikely voices cut through the chaos of late 1980s Los Angeles: N.W.A. Led by a drug dealer, a glammed-up producer, and a high school kid, N.W.A gave voice to disenfranchised African Americans across the country. And they quickly redefined pop culture across the world. Their names remain as popular as ever -- Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube. Dre soon joined forces with Suge Knight to create the combustible Death Row Records, which in turn transformed Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur into superstars.

Ben Westhoff explores how this group of artists shifted the balance of hip-hop from New York to Los Angeles. He shows how N.W.A.'s shocking success lead to rivalries between members, record labels, and eventually a war between East Coast and West Coast factions. In the process, hip-hop burst into mainstream America at a time of immense social change, and became the most dominant musical movement of the last thirty years. At gangsta rap's peak, two of its biggest names -- Tupac and Biggie Smalls -- were murdered, leaving the surviving artists to forge peace before the genre annihilated itself.

Featuring extensive investigative reporting, interviews with the principal players, and dozens of never-before-told stories, Original Gangstas is a groundbreaking addition to the history of popular music. History & Criticism Popular Culture Hip-Hop Music Americas Social Sciences

Critic reviews

"I trust Ben Westhoff. I trust him to report a story and I trust him to tell a story, and that's exactly what he's done here in Original Gangstas. He's taken what's always felt like an almost impossibly knotted string of storylines and plot points in gangsta rap, the most turbulent version of the most popular music on the planet, and turned them into an airtight and unflinching book. Original Gangstas is as resolute as the people and ideas it sets out to profile, and that is no small feat."—Shea Serrano, New York Times bestselling author of The Rap Year Book
"Scrupulously researched with many incisive revelations, this may be the best book ever written about the hip hop world."—S. Leigh Savidge,Academy Award nominee and co-writer of Straight Outta Compton
"A provocative, multifaceted portrait of essential rap pioneers who ushered the hip-hop music scene to greatness.... As raw, authoritative, and unflinching as the music his narrative chronicles, Westhoff comprehensively uncovers the factual roots of the gangsta rap movement and admirably credits those whose footprints paved the way for the younger rappers emerging today.... An elaborately detailed, darkly surprising, definitive history of the LA gangsta rap era."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"[Adds] fresh detail to the oft-told stories ...[A] history that won't settle for easy heroes or villains."—Rolling Stone
"Original Gangstas is as real as it gets if you want to know the so-called 'gangsta rap' scene. Ben Westhoff refrains from using rumors and innuendos, and instead reports the facts, and he tells all sides of this music movement. The book goes into depth about many stories I'd only previously heard via the streets. As the first DJ to play almost everyone mentioned in the book, I found Original Gangstas compelling reading. Thank you, Ben Westhoff, for this great book!"—Greg Mack, "The Godfather of Hip Hop Radio," former KDAY DJ, current host of the nationally syndicated "The Greg Mack Show"
"Invaluable... [Westhoff's] book will stand as a comprehensive guide to an inner-city movement that conquered the world."—Publishers Weekly
"Original Gangstas takes readers to the source, the battered communities and difficult lives that spawned an unlikely musical revolution. Eazy and Dre, Tupac and Snoop-Westhoff admires his subjects' music talent but isn't afraid to expose their darkest secrets. His research is exhaustive, while his prose is concise, and the result is an unforgettable history of the last time music was ever really dangerous."—Stephen Witt, author of How Music Got Free
"Original Gangstas shows how the rap West was won. A social and cultural study to read along with a head nodding-soundtrack 'fo sho.'"—Chuck D, Public Enemy
Well-researched History • Comprehensive Coverage • Excellent Character Voices • Fascinating Insights • Balanced Perspective

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Original Gangstas is a great book and the best choice on this platform for hip hop history. I’ve read ones I’ve liked more that aren’t on Audible, such as, Have Gun Will Travel, as well as documentaries like Welcome to Death Row, or Murder Rap, if you’re interest is in the Biggie and Pac killings. That being said this book delivers on what it promises, the history of west coast rap, from the birth to the downfall, everything is covered. The NWA portion was sluggish at times though. Legit book!

Best rap history book on Audible

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I absolutely love this! I was just telling a friend about this and how Shakespearean this whole tale is. If This Were to be presented as a lost work, people would absolutely clamor to the storyline and characters. Sadly, many who would enjoy such a tale, will dismiss this based off of cultural biases where the stigma of gangster rap is concerned. I would strongly recommend that anyone who enjoys a fantastic Tale of Triumph and tragedy give this book it's due and your undivided attention.

Epic.

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I didn't have high hopes for myself to like it. I am mostly a huge heavy metal person. I learned so much I feel I deserve street credit. But to be serious it was a great book might even listen to it again soon.

I am a metal head and this book is great.

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Research and content excellent. Narration top notch. Worth multiple listens! I don't write reviews ever, but I've already sent this to friends and recommended it. I was born in 1981, so I lived this, but I was a little young to really experience it. A fascinating look at a misunderstood subject, this is my favorite book this year out of about 200 or so. Even if you think you hate rap, you'll find this interesting- and may even have a new appreciation or respect for it when you're done.

Fantastic- demands another listen!

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I liked this book because it was acutely historically accurate. I lived through it, read the magazines, liner notes in the tape and CDs, MTV, etc. this book is dead-on in my opinion. I too hated Gangster rap for misrepresentation of hip hop, but the perspective given in this book helps with appreciation of the genre. Also gave new detail that was not known to the public. Did a good job balancing the opinions of both the author and the interviewees. I recommend this book to all rap and hiphop fans. My only dislike is the voice change the narrator did to emulate people like Easy, Biggie, Dre, etc. at times he was remarkable because you almost knew who he was emulating. Other times it was funny like when he did ICE T and Michele, and Suge. LOL! Then at times it got plain silly. This book was refreshing balanced perspective and I recommend to all rap and hiphop fans.

Surprisingly good listen

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