N.W.A. and the Posse

N.W.A. and the Posse
(L-R) Top: DJ Train (obscured), Sir Jinx; Middle: MC Chip, MC Ren, Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, K-Dee, Ice Cube, Arabian Prince, DJ Scratch; Bottom: Krazy Dee, Candyman.
Compilation album by
ReleasedNovember 6, 1987 (original)
November 13, 1989 (reissue)
Genre
Length46:26
Label
Producer
N.W.A chronology
N.W.A. and the Posse
(1987)
Straight Outta Compton
(1989)
Singles from N.W.A. And The Posse
  1. "Boyz-n-the-Hood"
    Released: March 3, 1987
  2. "Panic Zone"
    Released: August 13, 1987
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Spin Alternative Record Guide4/10

N.W.A. and the Posse is a compilation album, re-releasing N.W.A and associated groups' underground rap songs from the Los Angeles area's rap scene on November 6, 1987. It is regarded as American rap group N.W.A's first but neglected album; N.W.A's authorized debut studio album, rather, is Straight Outta Compton, released in January 1989. Whereas the Straight album was certified platinum, one million copies sold that July, the Posse album was certified gold, half as many copies sold, in April 1994.

Originally not N.W.A's intended album release, the Posse album was released by Macola Records—which was then the Los Angeles hip hop scene's main distributor—by collecting songs, mainly N.W.A's EP titled N.W.A, that Macola had distributed for N.W.A's record label, Ruthless Records. Macola omitted the N.W.A track "A Bitch iz a Bitch" (not included on the EP either) to favor party, electro sounds, like the "Panic Zone" track, that led the Los Angeles rap scene until N.W.A's Straight album hit. Months after Straight Outta Compton was released the new Ruthless distributor, Priority Records, re-issued the Posse album with the "Bitch" track replacing "Scream".