“Boyz-n-the-Hood” is the solo debut by rapper Eazy-E as a part of N.W.A. Ice Cube wrote the song, and originally intended it to be for H.B.O., another group signed by Ruthless, but after they rejected it Eazy was convinced to rap it. The track samples Whodini’s “I’m A Ho,” with slight variation.

Ruthless Records executive Jerry Heller considers the song to be a mix of Gil Scott-Heron, The Last Poets, The Rolling Stones, and the Black Panthers.