Kendrick Lamar will be inducting hip-hop super group, N.W.A, into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame on April 8th at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York. Other inductees for the April 8th ceremony include Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Bert Berns and Steve Miller.

With hits such as “Boyz In The Hood”, “F*ck The Police” and “Straight Outta Compton”, N.W.A. has served as a major influence in rap since the 80’s with their abrasive and controversial lyrics highlighting police brutality, racial injustice and everyday life in the streets of Compton, LA. Though their music has been primarily based off their own experiences in Compton, the themes present are some that blacks all across America can relate to, even 25 years later.

N.W.A being inducted into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame has come on the tails of their biopic Straight Outta Compton, which grossed over $201 Million worldwide, and in the midst of  the Black Lives Matter movement. Kendrick Lamar, one of the few rap artists with songs full of themes of black consciousness, is the perfect candidate to do the honors of inducting N.W.A. into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Many feel like the Compton native’s music in 2016 is a revival of the message that N.W.A.’s music helped to resonate decades ago.

In a exclusive sit down for PAPER Mag, Kendrick Lamar expresses how influential N.W.A. has been in his career and in the careers of other artists that followed.

“…before then, everything was pop. People were scared to talk about these kinds of tough situations, but because he and the group took it upon themselves to talk about [these things], every artist is able to and they owe it to him. [Easy-E] is not only the birth of gangsta rap, but he’s the birth of a whole legacy of being able to say what you want to say on a record and not being in fear of what others may think and not offending your own art and your own reflection.”

The induction ceremony is set to air on HBO some time in the Spring of 2016 after the April 8th ceremony.

Related Article: Express Yourself: N.W.A is still at the forefront of the  fight against police brutality

Related Article: Here are Some of Dr. Dre’s Best Underrated Hits

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In a transient, media driven world it’s nice to take time and reflect. On this day, April 2, 76 years ago, the birth of Marvin Gaye would forever change the face of music for generations to come. Gaye’s gift includes some of Motown’s greatest hits like “How Sweet It Is,” “Let’s Get It On,” “I heard It Through The Grapevine” etc. and while Gaye (and the music world as a whole) was dealt an untimely departure, his legacy will remain and thrive though not just his words, but as an inspiration to some of the greats and newcomers alike. With his timeless work echoing through the halls of places like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Marvin Gaye has truly been a musical innovator and his rhythmic contribution is something that will last for eternity. R.I.P Marvin.

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