Music to Driveby

Compton’s Most Wanted released a series of exceptional and distinctive albums in the early and mid ‘90s that are easily as compelling as the work of their more famous contemporaries. The group’s leader MC Eiht, may not have possessed the palpable charisma of Snoop Dogg, the simmering rage of Ice Cube, or the icy professionalism of the D.O.C., but he was gifted with an authoritative baritone and a talent for writing threatening punch lines that were as clever as they were malevolent. And though MC Eiht’s rhymes are strong, it’s the immaculate, trunk rattling production, courtesy of veteran studio rats DJ Slip and Mike T that makes CMW’s third full length, Music To Drive By a bona fide west coast classic. Compton’s Most Wanted hewed out a distinctive sonic aesthetic that drew as much from Los Angeles’ mid ‘80s electro scene as it did from Dre’s sample heavy aesthetic. “Jack Mode”, which borrows elements from Cybotron’s early techno classic “Clear” is an outstanding example of DJ Slip and Mike T’s tireless pursuit of stylistic diversity. Thanks to its highly original sound Music To Drive By is one of the finest hardcore hip-hop records to emerge from early ‘90s Los Angeles.