In a momentous celebration of musical legacy, the iconic West Coast rap ensemble N.W.A. is set to receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award during the upcoming Grammy weekend. 

N.W.A. Honored

The legendary West Coast rap group N.W.A. is set to be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award during Grammy weekend. Recognized at The Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards ceremony, the Compton-based ensemble, featuring Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, MC Ren, and the late Eazy E, is credited with shaping the subgenre of Gangsta rap with their raw and impactful lyrics about life in Compton.

The group from Compton, California consisting of, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, MC-Ren, and the late Eazy E developed a new sound and is credited with creating the subgenre, Gangsta rap. They were known for their brash, raw lyrics about life in Compton that also had violent content. 

‘Straight Outta Compton’

N.W.A. was also known as one of the most controversial music acts of all time and even had politicians condemning their music.  In 1988, the iconic group released their album, Straight Outta Compton, a brutally intense record that became an underground hit without any support from radio or MTV, who didn’t play N.W.A. ‘s music on their channel.  

Other recipients that will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award include iconic singers such as The Clark Sisters, Gladys Knight, Laurie Anderson, and late singers such as Donna Summer and Tammy Wynette.

DJ Kool Herc, who is considered the “Godfather of Hip-Hop,” will be honored with a Trustee Award at the Special Merit Awards as well. DJ Kool Herc hosted the block party in the Bronx, New York in 1973 that started hip-hop. 

The Special Merit Awards will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, the day before the 2024 Grammys. 

EAZY-E Way

In other N.W.A. news, the late member Eazy E was honored by the city of Compton with a street being renamed after him in November 2023. This recognition comes after he was shunned in hip-hop following his death, with rumors about his sexuality due to complications from AIDS-like pneumonia.

RZA To Be Honored With TEC Award

One other rap legend that will also be honored is RZA. The leader of the legendary rap collective Wu-Tang Clan will receive the TEC Innovation Award from the National Association of Music Merchants at the TEC Awards on January 27.

The post N.W.A. To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award At The 2024 Grammys appeared first on SOHH.com.

Click Here to Discuss in the Forums