Formation and "Panic Zone" (1987–1988)

N.W.A was established in Compton under the Leadership of Eazy-E.

 Eazy-E was interested in meeting Steve Yano; after being initially refused, Yano was ultimately impressed with Eazy-E’s perseverance and scheduled a visit with Dr. Dre. In the beginning, it included Eazy-E and Dr. Dre. It added Ice Cube (a former member of the group C.I.A) and producer Arabian Prince to the roster. DJ Yella came along later to join the crew.

Both Dre and Yella came out of the World Class Wreckin’ Cru and practiced their craft as DJs and producers. In 1987, Ruthless Records teamed up with Macola Records to issue the single "Panic Zone" which was later included on the compilation album "N.W.A. and the Posse".

 N.W.A still hadn't quite established itself by this point and was credited on only three of the eleven tracks on the album (the signature songs, "Panic Zone", "8-Ball" and "Dopeman). It was Arabian Prince, DJ Yella, Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube’s first joint project. The Mexican rapper Krazy-Dee also helped produce "Panic Zone", which had been titled "Hispanic Zone", before Dr. Dre gave it the title to circumvent any sales limitations on the term. The set also included Eazy-E's "Boyz-n-the-Hood" solo track.