338,662 plays (86,460 listeners)
“Express Yourself” is a song recorded by American hip hop group N.W.A. The song, off their 1988 album Straight Outta Compton, samples Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band’s song of the same name. Unlike most songs on the album and by N.W.A, the song is almost devoid of profanity and violent content.
The song’s vocals are primarily handled by Dr. Dre though an extended version features interludes from Ice Cube and MC Ren.
The song’s lyrics center around ideas of free expression and the constraints placed on rappers by radio censorship. They also speak of the fact that other “rappers” are afraid to express themselves for fear of what other people might think and that they try to be like everyone else.
This song is featured in the video games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4, EA’s Skate and in the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
In 1990 the Australian government youth radio station Triple J played the song on continuous loop for 24 hours (360 times in a row) whilst the station went on a protest strike against censorship. After playing NWA’s “Fuck tha Police” for six months, government action had forced the station to stop playing the song. At that time Triple J had been the only station in the world playing the controversial song. Continuously playing the band’s other popular song during this strike was deemed an appropriate response to show solidarity with the band and dissatisfaction with the decision.
The song’s vocals are primarily handled by Dr. Dre though an extended version features interludes from Ice Cube and MC Ren.
The song’s lyrics center around ideas of free expression and the constraints placed on rappers by radio censorship. They also speak of the fact that other “rappers” are afraid to express themselves for fear of what other people might think and that they try to be like everyone else.
This song is featured in the video games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4, EA’s Skate and in the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
In 1990 the Australian government youth radio station Triple J played the song on continuous loop for 24 hours (360 times in a row) whilst the station went on a protest strike against censorship. After playing NWA’s “Fuck tha Police” for six months, government action had forced the station to stop playing the song. At that time Triple J had been the only station in the world playing the controversial song. Continuously playing the band’s other popular song during this strike was deemed an appropriate response to show solidarity with the band and dissatisfaction with the decision.
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Shouts
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ukeee wrote:
One of the few hip hop songs i actually like. [2]
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Reaperius wrote:
Best from NWA.
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El_Salvador7 wrote:
Only true masters can make a beat that is carried by one single note and make it sound good.
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KuFuuu wrote:
yapımda emeği geçen herkesin sonsuz amına koyim
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Rafals1993 wrote:
so funky-ass song!
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nickthetick wrote:
yup!
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Melu- wrote:
One of the few hip hop songs i actually like.
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TheOnlyRoc wrote:
I use to like the song when I was a kid but I don't agree with a lot of the message this song is saying. Maybe I'm not hearing it right but this sounds like bullshit to me.
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NamOiram wrote:
really good song
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vangelicmonk wrote:
skip.
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pergunta1 wrote:
Love dat Fucking good song. This is real hiphop!!!
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Sted-Milano wrote:
yo!
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Johnny_Jeeze wrote:
casab002, That's the original song by Charles Wright, not the NWA version.
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larrymcgee wrote:
love this
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WorldTripp wrote:
Lengendary!! Classic tune...
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trolllover wrote:
Uplifting gangsta rap. :P
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Luki04 wrote:
"Don't be another sequel"
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NotoriousCRS wrote:
Killa
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Maxxtom wrote:
Amazing song ever.
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catdog707 wrote:
Funk with N.W.A.***************Classis!
Listeners
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Recent Activity
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eliwuzheer, Exclusivez and kahnartest loved N.W.A – Express Yourself. yesterday evening
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flymrroberts added Express Yourself to the playlist Rap. yesterday evening
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flymrroberts added Express Yourself to flymrroberts’s library. yesterday evening
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SStow added Express Yourself to his Loved Tracks. yesterday afternoon
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Marie-de-rose added Express Yourself to Marie-de-rose’s library. yesterday afternoon
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suaveslav added Express Yourself to his Loved Tracks. yesterday morning
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ryandabdab added Express Yourself to ryandabdab’s library. Friday evening
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ryandabdab added Express Yourself to the playlist. Friday evening
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HalfBaked420, damdam73, Elrend and 1 other person loved N.W.A – Express Yourself. Friday morning
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SpartanTots added Express Yourself to the playlist OG Playlist. Thursday morning
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