The Story of N.W.A.|Aug. 11, 2015|United States|147 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;History;Music
Description: Straight Outta Compton, released in 2015, tells the story of the rise of the iconic rap group N.W.A. Set in 1986 in Compton, California, the film follows Eazy-E, a former drug dealer; Dr. Dre, an aspiring DJ; and Ice Cube, a young rapper. Ice Cube’s raw and honest lyrics about crime, gang violence, and police brutality inspire Dre to convince Eazy-E to fund a new record label, Ruthless Records. Dre takes on the role of producer, and after their song “Boyz-n-the-Hood” is rejected by a New York rap group, Eazy-E steps in to perform it. The track becomes a local hit, leading to the formation of N.W.A, which stands for “Niggaz Wit Attitude.”
Under the management of Jerry Heller and with a deal from Priority Records, N.W.A records their debut album, “Straight Outta Compton,” in 1988. The album’s explicit and provocative content sparks controversy, and their style earns the label “gangsta rap.” During a 1989 tour, the FBI warns the group not to perform their song “F**k tha Police,” as it is seen as inciting violence against law enforcement. Despite a ban in Detroit, they perform the song anyway, resulting in their arrest and a subsequent riot.
Tensions rise within the group as Jerry Heller delays individual contracts. When Cube is pressured to sign without legal representation, he leaves N.W.A. His solo debut, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted” (1990), becomes a success, but a dispute over payment leads to a confrontation with Priority Records. N.W.A responds to Cube’s departure by insulting him on their next record, prompting Cube to release the diss track “No Vaseline,” which criticizes his former bandmates and Heller. The track sparks accusations of antisemitism due to its references to Heller’s Jewish identity.
Cast director: F. Gary Gray
Cast actor: O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr., Aldis Hodge, Marlon Yates Jr., R. Marcos Taylor, Carra Patterson, Alexandra Shipp, Paul Giamatti
Original name: Straight Outta Compton