Express Yourself (N.W.A song)
| "Express Yourself" | |||||||||||
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| Single by N.W.A | |||||||||||
| from the album Straight Outta Compton | |||||||||||
| Released | March 27, 1989 | ||||||||||
| Format | 12" single | ||||||||||
| Recorded | 1988 | ||||||||||
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| Length | 4:26 4:42 (extended mix) |
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"Express Yourself" is a song recorded by American hip hop group N.W.A, performed solo by Dr. Dre. 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 devoid of profanity. "Express Yourself" was released in 1989 as the album's last single, the album version of the track features rap vocals from Dr. Dre only whereas the 2002 reissue, single edition and video version features small verses from MC Ren and Ice Cube, the writer of the song. The song reached number 26 in the UK in September 1989.
The song's vocals are primarily handled by Dr. Dre though an extended version features interludes from Ice Cube and MC Ren. NWA's version samples Charles Wright & the Watts 103 Street Rhythm Band's hit, also titled "Express Yourself" (1971).
The song's lyrics focus on the concept of free expression and the constraints placed on rappers by radio censorship. The song is notable for including lines criticising other rappers for not swearing in order to get radio airplay despite the song itself containing no profanity, being based on a pop-music sample with a clearly 'radio friendly' tone.
This song is featured in the video games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, and EA's Skate.
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