The cacophony of sounds and samples in "Boyz-n-the-Hood" is really the essence of the West Coast gangster rap sound.
Dr. Dre shows his production skills by mixing a hard thumping bass beat with a number of samples. Just as modern artists use multimedia and objects that someone else created in their art (think Andy Warhol), Dre uses Whodini's "I'm a Ho," the Beastie Boys' "Hold It Now, Hit It," Jean Knight's "Mr. Big Stuff," Original Concept's "Pump That Bass" and "Knowledge Me," LL Cool J's "El Shabazz," and a dialogue clip from an Eddie Murphy concert film.
From the mixing, scratching, and musical transitions present on "Boyz-n-the-Hood," it's clear that Dre's vision of the song came together in a musical collage through a vast knowledge of music history and the music that his peers were producing.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the music is the contrast of the lyrics with the keyboard melody, a sample from Whodini's "I'm a Ho." The original song is about a musician who takes advantage of the perks of having female fans. It's completely devoid of seriousness, and while the group is certainly doing a bit of bragging, it's also just having fun.
As such, the song is a fitting foundation for "Boyz-n-the-Hood." The irony and absurdity of the lyrical content is never lost on Eazy, and Dre ensures that the musical tone stays consistent.