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The legendary rap crew was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Friday (Apr. 8).

 

All living members of the group, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren, as well as Eazy-E’s mother, took the stage for the induction ceremony at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The ceremony featured various compelling moments, a poignant speech from Ice Cube about why the “World’s Most Dangerous Group” belongs in the Rock Hall of Fame as well as a heartfelt speech from rapper Kendrick Lamar on how N.W.A redefined the term “gangster.”

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“Are we rock and roll? I say, you goddamn right we rock and roll. Rock and roll is not an instrument. Rock and roll is not even a style of music. Rock and roll is a spirit. It’s a spirit that’s been going since the blues, jazz, bebop, soul, R&B, rock and roll, heavy metal, punk rock, and yes, hip-hop. What connects us all is that spirit. Rock and roll is not conforming to the people who came before you, but creating your own path in music and in life. That is rock and roll and that is us.” -Ice Cube

Peep Kendrick’s full speech: