The Defiant Ones

With provocative recordings like "F**k the Police" and "Straight Outta Compton," shaped by the bitter race relations in Los Angeles, N.W.A. evolved into a force to be reckoned with, in LA and beyond. But a series of calamities--including personal losses on the streets, run-ins with the law, a bitter contract dispute, and a clash over management that strained Dre's relationship with Eazy-E--undermined the band and landed Dr. Dre at a crossroads, looking to make a fresh start. Meanwhile, Jimmy continued his rise up the music ladder via successful collaborations with Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks (with whom he had a relationship). But he hit a wall, and considered his own career shift, after a particularly arduous collaboration with U2--whose tireless drive in the studio rivaled his own.