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Considering how police brutality has been at the height of the media’s attention throughout 2014, the release timing for the N.W.A. biopic, Straight Outta Compton, couldn’t be more perfect. As illustrated in the special introduction by surviving N.W.A. members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, the group’s ability to touch the world through their music helped shape rap’s mainstream acceptance, as well as influencing the next 30+ years of music.
Straight Outta Compton, directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday) and starring O’Shea Jackson, Jr., Corey Hawkins, and Jason Mitchell as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Eazy-E, respectively, tracks the group’s rise from the late ’80s to 1992 with the Rodney King riots serving as a bookend for the film’s framing. Paul Giamatti also stars as N.W.A. manager Jerry Heller.
This first Straight Outta Compton trailer is how trailers should be cut. It’s energetic, sets the tone extremely well, and offers enough to like for both N.W.A. fans and those unfamiliar with the group. Above all else, it fits into the current political and social climate to feel relevant now more than ever.
Straight Outta Compton will be in theaters on August 14th.