Released in 1991, Efil4zaggin captures N.W.A at their most extreme while also marking an important moment in the evolution of West Coast hip-hop.

With Ice Cube no longer in the group, Dr. Dre's production takes centre stage. The beats are heavier, funkier and more polished, giving us an early glimpse of the G-funk sound he would soon develop further on The Chronic. Alwayz Into Somethin' in particular feels like a bridge between the raw sound of N.W.A and what Dre was about to become.

The album remains deliberately provocative, aggressive and often outrageous. Its lyrics were controversial even when it was released, and some of the violence and misogyny have aged particularly badly. Musically, however, the record remains fascinating — especially as a snapshot of Dre becoming one of hip-hop's defining producers.

More than three decades later, Efil4zaggin is a raw and complicated piece of rap history, but also an essential listen for anyone interested in the development of the West Coast sound.

Essential tracks:Real Niggaz Don't Die, Alwayz Into Somethin', Appetite for Destruction, Real Niggaz, Automobile

Rate My Tapes: 8.2/10

For fans of: West Coast hip-hop, Dr. Dre production, early G-funk, N.W.A and the history of '90s rap.

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