Gangsta rap traditionalists in the style of NWA whose naked aggression was tempered by deft production, Compton's Most Wanted originally comprised Unknown DJ, DJ Mike T, DJ Slip, the Chill MC and MC Eiht (allegedly a pseudonym for 'Experienced In Hardcore Thumpin''). The 1989 singles 'Rhymes Too Funky' and 'This Is Compton' were followed by It's A Compton Thang!, which contained enough obscenities to ensure that it was also made available in a censored version. The Chill MC was imprisoned during the recording of Straight CheckN'Em, allowing MC Eiht to establish himself as a wordsmith of some note.
By Music To Driveby, whose cliched title did not bode well, they had honed their punishing, forceful formula. The crew was reduced to the pivotal duo of Eiht and DJ Slip on the sonically adventurous We Come Strapped and Death Threatz, both credited to MC Eiht Featuring CMW. After releasing three solo albums, Eiht resurrected the Compton's Most Wanted name for Represent, the debut release on his own Half House Records label.
