[yasr_overall_rating]
The group NWA emerges from the streets of Compton, California in the mid-1980s and revolutionizes Hip Hop culture with their music and tales about life in the hood.
Full of history, relevancy and high energy, “Straight Outta Compton” reveals the truth about a dichotomy of issues that plagued N.W.A’s (Niggaz Wit Attitudes) meteoric rise to fame in the mid 80’s. Fast forward 30 years, and ironically, not much has changed in the struggle to prove that internal divisiveness can weaken a chain’s link and ultimately, that black lives matter. F. Gary Gray, a director known for crafting a unique social issue with creative responsiveness, has once again exposed the vulnerability of a group of extremely talented men whose financial and societal woes had a profound impact on their ability to stay focused on their musical popularity in the midst of a stifled culture.
Compton, California was the setting for a group of five young men which included Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson, Jr.), Easy-E (Jason Mitchell), DJ Yella (Neil Brown, Jr.) and MC Ren (Aldis Hodge), who combined their individual musical talents to express their day to day struggles of making it in a world that wasn’t easy nor ready for the level of creativity that went toe to toe with their display of raw talent. A combination of unbridled sex, ignorance and youthful rebellion caused major setbacks, but never truly destroyed the brotherly kinship of the group whose impact on Hip Hop culture would make an indelible mark on music and fashion that today still captures a crossover audience that can sing along word for word and beat for beat.
The film has iconic value for the music industry and fans of Hip Hop and its roots. Wildly entertaining with humor and sadness, the N.W.A. story is told at a high level of honesty and ruthlessness. The additional surprise of other stars of Hip Hop and Rap will leave you shaking your head, moving your feet and wanting more of the music. All mature ages will enjoy this film for its relativity and musical score that will get you through 2 hrs and 20 minutes of well spent time.
In theaters August 14th
