Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by American hip hop group N.W.A, released August 8, 1988, on group member Eazy-E's record label Ruthless Records. Production for the album was handled by Dr. Dre with DJ Yella. The album has been viewed as the pioneering record of gangsta rap with its pervasive graphic profanity and true lyrics. This was the group's only release with rapper Ice Cube prior to his 1989 departure.