By: Elias Amos

Staff Reporter

In the latest dramatic biographic film, “Straight Outta Compton” my expectations were surpassed. This movie illustrates the hardships and struggles of the African-American people and the rap group Niggaz With Attitude, also known as N.W.A., during the late 80’s and 90’s.

Actor O’Shea Jackson, Jr., plays as his own father Ice Cube, a troubled teen living in the ghetto area of Compton, California. He is also the main lyricist/rapper in the group N.W.A. His best friend Andre Romelle Young, whose street/rap name is Dr. Dre, played by actor Corey Hawkins, is one of the DJs in N.W.A., trying to make money through his music beats. Dre’s close friend Antoine Carraby, also known as Dj Yella, played by Neil Brown, Jr., DJs at the same night club, The Loft, where Dre currently plays. Dj Yella is the other DJ in the group. Eric Lynn Wright, (Eazy-E), played by Jason Mitchell, raps alongside Ice Cube. Originally, though he wasn’t one in the rappers of the group. The last member Lorenzo Jerald Patterson also known as MC Ren, is Eazy-E’s close friend.

The members of N.W.A. are tired of the abuse and racism that they receive on a daily basis from Los Angeles police officers. The movie displays the group’s daily routine in order to send out their message to the world about their reality, and how the world they live in isn’t recognized by society. This world includes police brutality, segregation, and other racist acts.

Throughout the movie, the audience gets a real feel for how passionate N.W.A. was about its music. For instance the group created hit records including “Straight Outta Compton”, and “F#%* the Police”. These songs were meant to speak the truth about the unnecessary acts by some police officers and to give a subliminal message to the black community, to stand up and fight back.

Eventually, the rest of the group broke apart. Dr. Dre ended up going to Death Row Records with Suge Knight, Eazy-E began to deal drugs again instead of rapping. Years later Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube had all decided to squash their old problems and to reunite N.W.A., but Eazy-E had been diagnosed with A.I.D.S. and died shortly after before they could start.

The storyline of the movie was well constructed and reaches out to make you feel a variety of emotions. In addition, the movie was also humorous with the comical scenes integrated throughout the movie. Although, you must keep an open mind during the movie because it does have dark humor and racism. The movie is empowering because the group N.W.A. was big part of history in the black community and rap. N.W.A. gave the black community the courage and strength to stand up against racial abuse. They paved the path for the way rappers style is today.

This movie was outstanding, the actors were great, and they fit perfectly into all of their roles. No matter what race you may be, this movie gives insight on what the day-to-day life of black people was like in harsh ghetto areas.