W.A pulled some impressive artistic and marketing stunts with the release of Straight Outta Compton.

NPR: 'Straight Outta Compton,' 20 Years Later

Today, Straight Outta Compton is a reminder of brighter days in hip-hop's most notorious left-coast 'hood.

NPR: 'Straight Outta Compton,' 20 Years Later

What probably helped Straight Outta Compton do so well was that it wasn't all gangsta gunplay.

NPR: 'Straight Outta Compton,' 20 Years Later

He wrote the liner notes for the Straight Outta Compton 20th-anniversary release.

NPR: 'Straight Outta Compton,' 20 Years Later

W.A.'s 1988 hit "Straight Outta Compton" transformed the city from a poor Los Angeles suburb to a poor and notorious Los Angeles suburb.

NPR: Terror, Hope on the Streets of Compton, Part 2

The original Straight Outta Compton release has 13 songs, including N.

NPR: 'Straight Outta Compton,' 20 Years Later

The cover photo for Straight Outta Compton says it all.

NPR: 'Straight Outta Compton,' 20 Years Later

W.A released Straight Outta Compton on Eazy's Ruthless Records.

NPR: 'Straight Outta Compton,' 20 Years Later

W.A dropped the album Straight Outta Compton.

NPR: 'Straight Outta Compton,' 20 Years Later

With Straight Outta Compton, N.

NPR: 'Straight Outta Compton,' 20 Years Later