Express Yourself (N.W.A song)

Infobox Single
Name = Express Yourself


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Artist = N.W.A
From album = Straight Outta Compton
Released = 1989
Format = 12" single
Recorded = 1988
Genre = Hip hop
Length = 4:26
Label = Priority/Ruthless
Writer = Ice Cube
Producer = DJ Yella
Dr. Dre
Chart position =
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Last single = "Gangsta Gangsta"
(1988)
This single = "Express Yourself"
(1989)
Next single = "100 Miles and Runnin'
(1990)Audiosample
Upper caption = Music sample
Name = Express Yourself
Audio file= Express Yourself.ogg"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 "", "Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4", EA's "Skate" and in the movie "Mr. & Mrs. Smith".

Between the Rancid (band) releases of "...And Out Come the Wolves" and "Life Won't Wait" from 1995 to 1998, Tim Armstrong recorded a version of "Express Yourself" with the band The Silencers on the Life Won't Wait Demos. The first half of the demo consists of Rancid (band) demos and the second half consists of The Silencers demos. Stretch Arm Strong also recorded a version of "Express Yourself" for "Engage."

External links

* [http://www.lyricsondemand.com/n/nwalyrics/expressyourselflyrics.html Lyrics]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2F2NC3FAjo Music Video]