I think we can all agree at one point we were slightly worried when we heard a biopic of one of Hip-Hop’s, hell, one of music’s most revolutionary groups was given the green light. How do you navigate over 30 years of N.W.A. and it’s members and fit it all into a 2 hour movie, doing it sufficient justice?
Well luckily the Doctor was in the house, or actually, at the helm of overseeing that everything about 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton” would be 100% legitimate and give a real insight into a time in America’s past that could have been easily forgotten about if it wasn’t for the music. Dre held it down for sure, and with a young exciting cast playing the fearless group along with some true veterans popping in (Paul Giamatti as manager Jerry Heller).
In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into one legendary album. Taking us back to where it all began, “Straight Outta Compton” tells the true story of how N.W.A. became not just a musical sensation, but the face of social revolution, fighting racism, corruption and government oppression, ending up on the FBI’s most wanted list for good measure.
We’re taken from the beginning, with Dre a struggling DJ with child support living at home, Eazy-E a local drug dealer and Ice Cube a poet struggling to find his voice. Along with MC Ren and DJ Yella, these men bob and weave through racial profiling, backstabbings, arguments and escaping one environment, only to find themselves battling a new one: The music industry.
It’s a seriously enjoyable film for any Hip-Hop fan young and old. Some scenes particularly shine due to the pure nostalgia dripping through the screen, from Eazy writing Boyz-In-The-Hood in the studio, Dre making the “Nuthin But A G Thang” beat, to the odd affiliate popping up to delighted squeals from cinema-goers (LOOK IT’S 2PAC!).
It’s brilliantly written, superbly acted and a great testament to “The World’s Most Dangerous Group”.
Yo Dre… I Got Something to Say.
Donuts 