US
1989- Label and catalog number
- Ruthless Records VL7207
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
- Runout / matrix
VL-1-7207-Z1 S-23317 SRCRunout Side A
VL-2-7207-Z1 S-23318 SRCRunout Side B
Vinyl pressings
Express Yourself
by N.W.A. · 1989
22 pressings6 countriesBoom BapConsciousGangstaHardcore Hip-Hop
Express Yourself was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Express Yourself
17 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 6 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
US
1989- Label and catalog number
- Ruthless Records LS7206Priority Records LS7206
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM
US
1989- Label and catalog number
- Ruthless Records PVL 07271Priority Records PVL 07271
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo
- Runout / matrix
SRC VL-1072 71-Z1 1-2 SPAR B-35372 △25054 O-A-Side Runout Etching
SRC VL-1072 71-Z1 B-35373 1-2 SPAR △25054-X O-B-Side Runout Etching
PVL-1-07271A-side label
PVL-2-07271B-side label
US
1989- Label and catalog number
- Ruthless Records PLS07268Priority Records PLS07268
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Promo
UK
August 28, 1989- Label and catalog number
- 4th & Broadway 12 BRW 144Ruthless Records 12 BRW 144
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
Q 9AT109 MIKE'S 12 BRW 144 A2Runout, A-side, hand-etched (variation 1)
9AT109 THE EXCHANGE 12 BRW 144 B2Runout, B-side, hand-etched (variation 1)
E 9AT109 MIKE'S 12BRW 144 A2Runout, A-side, hand-etched (variation 2)
D 9AT109 THE EXCHANGE 12BRW144 B2Runout, B-side, hand-etched (variation 2)
UK
August 29, 1989- Label and catalog number
- 4th & Broadway BRW 144Ruthless Records BRW 144
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
BRW 144 A-1U-1- 1Variant 1 - runout stamped side A
BRW 144 B-1U-1- 1Variant 1 - runout stamped side B
BRW 144 A-2U-1- 1Variant 2 - runout stamped side A
BRW 144 B-2U-1- 1Variant 2 - runout stamped side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 22 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s17 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | 4th & Broadway 875 179-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Ruthless Records 112 688 / Priority Records 112 688First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Germany | Priority Records 612 688First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Spain | 4th & Broadway 3A 612688 / 4th & Broadway 3A 612 688First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | 4th & Broadway 12 BRX 144 / Island Records 875 159-1First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | 4th & Broadway 12 BRW 144First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | 4th & Broadway BRW 144 / Ruthless Records BRW 144First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1989 | UK | 4th & Broadway BRW 144First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | 4th & Broadway 12 BRW 144 / Ruthless Records 12 BRW 144First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | 4th & Broadway 12 BRW 144 / Ruthless Records 12 BRW 144First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | 4th & Broadway 12 BRX 144 / Island Records 875 159-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | US | Ruthless Records VL7207First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | US | Ruthless Records PVL 07271 / Priority Records PVL 07271First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Ruthless Records PLS07268 / Priority Records PLS07268First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Ruthless Records LS7206 / Priority Records LS7206First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia | 4th & Broadway 875 178-77", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | US | Priority Records Y 0946 3 41777 1 9 / Capitol Records Y 0946 3 41777 1 912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Remastered | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Remastered |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Priority Records VL 7207712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Not On Label VL 720712", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Ruthless Records VL-7207712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Reissue, White Label · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Reissue, White Label · Promo |
Tracklist
- A1Express Yourself (Extended Mix)4:44
- A2Express Yourself (Bonus Beats)3:02
- B1Straight Outta Compton (Extended Mix)4:55
- B2A Bitch Iz A Bitch3:09
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Express Yourself are there?
22 vinyl pressings of Express Yourself are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1989 and 2005.
When was Express Yourself first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, UK, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Ruthless Records VL7207.
How do I tell if my copy of Express Yourself is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VL7207, LS7206, PVL 07271, PLS07268) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VL-1-7207-Z1 S-23317 SRC and VL-2-7207-Z1 S-23318 SRC. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Express Yourself on vinyl worth?
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
