Fuck Compton
A diss track that sparked the East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry.
"Fuck Compton" (often censored as "Forget Compton" or "Fk Compton") is a 1991 diss track by American rapper Tim Dog, released as the lead single from his debut album Penicillin on Wax on Ruffhouse Records. The song attacks the West Coast hip hop scene, specifically targeting Compton's N.W.A, its members Eazy-E and Dr. Dre, Dr. Dre's then-girlfriend Michel'le, and former N.W.A member Ice Cube. It is widely credited with sparking the East Coast–West Coast rivalry of the 1990s. Production came from Ultramagnetic MCs' Ced-Gee and Tim Dog. The track reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. In 2018, Complex ranked it 19th on its list of the 50 best hip-hop diss songs.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Tim Dog
- Album
- Penicillin on Wax
- Released
- July 11, 1991
- Recorded
- 1991
- Genre
- East Coast hip hop, hardcore hip hop
- Length
- 3:53
- Label
- Ruffhouse
- Writer
- Timothy Blair
Facts from the source article.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fuck Compton (Vocal) | 3:53 |
| 2 | Fuck Compton (Instrumental) | 3:53 |
| 3 | Goin' Wild In The Penile (Vocal) | 4:16 |
| 4 | Goin' Wild In The Penile (Instrumental) | 4:16 |
Track listing from the source article.
Background
During the late 1980s, multiple New York hip hop artists began to resent the exposure and success of their West Coast counterparts, an animosity which Tim Dog would tap into via the release of his groundbreaking first single. Frustrated at the apparent lack of interest in East Coast artists from record companies, Tim recorded "Fuck Compton", a scathing diss track from his debut album Penicillin on Wax. "Fuck Compton" attacked the city's style of dress and musical output and made threatening gestures to several Compton rappers including Eazy-E, MC Ren, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Michel'le.
Tim Dog would later exclude Ice Cube on "Step to Me", another diss track attacking N.W.A. The lyrics also made reference to an infamous incident involving N.W.A's Dr. Dre and Pump It Up host Dee Barnes. Barnes had accused Dre of assaulting her after Pump It Up had edited an N.W.A interview to include disparaging comments made by Ice Cube, who was embroiled in a feud with his former group at the time. The single was released by Ruffhouse Records, then-home to other artists such as Cypress Hill and Kris Kross, and became a worldwide underground hit in the clubs and hip hop circles. Two versions of a music video were released—the original version and a censored edition.
Response
Dr. Dre and Snoop Doggy Dogg responded to the song on their 1993 single "Fuck wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin')" and on the "The $20 Sack Pyramid" skit from Dr. Dre's 1992 album The Chronic. Compton's Most Wanted responded with the tracks "Who's Fucking Who?" and "Another Victim" from their 1992 album Music to Driveby. DJ Quik responded with the tracks "Way 2 Fonky" and "Tha Last Word" from his 1992 album Way 2 Fonky and on the track "P.S. Phuk U 2" with the Penthouse Players Clique from their 1992 album Paid the Cost. Tweedy Bird Loc responded with the track "Fuck the South Bronx" (featuring Att Will, Hitman D, D-Mark & Nini X) from his 1992 album 187 Ride By. E.L. Me and The Street Products responded in 2 tracks from their debut album titled 16 Lessons From the Streets on songs "E.L. Me and The Street Products" and "Outshout."
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Fuck Compton released?
Fuck Compton was released on July 11, 1991.
Who wrote Fuck Compton?
Fuck Compton was written by Timothy Blair.
More in Ruffhouse Records Singles
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