NWA is nice, but whatever happened to Fila Fresh Crew?

But first, one of Aram’s thoughts: As a chubby, half-white/half-Armenian kid growing up on the outskirts of San Marino, I couldn’t help but feel like NWA’s hit album “Straight Outta Compton” was made just for me when it debuted in 1988-89. Finally, no more Al B. Sure or New Order. I felt like Yella, Eazy and Dre were saying the things I just couldn’t. They were telling it like how it really was on the streets. I just felt like shouting out “That’swhatI’mtalkn”bout” when I heard that album.

And then to hear former San Marino football standout Matt Solomon yell “Straight Outta Compton” while warming up for a Huntington Jr. High track meet, it was a sign that finally the message of the streets was being heard. It was really very moving.

Because of that, each time Compton is mentioned, a certain part of me has to pour some out for the pioneers of Rhythmic American Poetry (West Coast stylee).

Compton pertains this week because that’s where the Duarte Falcons will be playing Verbum Dei in the semifinals of the Mid-Valley Division playoffs. We don’t yet know if it will be at Centennial High or Compton College. But it don’t matter, does it?

In addition to knowing it was the berth place of NWA, here are some other things you should know about Compton.

Population (2000 Census): 93,493 (1990 Census: 90,454) (For latest population estimate, click here)
Population Density (2000 Census): 9,166.0 persons per square mile
Population over age 64 (2000 Census): 6.9% (1990 Census: 5.7%)
Population under age 18 (2000 Census): 38.5% (1990 Census: 36.7%)
Land Area: 10.2 square miles (26.4 square kilometers)
Racial breakdown: Latino 56.8%, Black 40.3%, White 1%, Island 1.1%.