Royal Attitudes: Straight Outta Legend-Ville

As the number one movie in the box office, Straight Outta Compton is breaking records and shedding light on major issues in America while doing so.  It has currently grossed over $113 million in the box office in only its second week.  The film, directed by F. Gary Gray in conjunction with Cube Vision films, depicts the complicated story of the rise, fall, and legacy of the notorious hip-hop group N.W.A. (Niggaz Wit Attitudes).  Credited with making gangsta rap famous, N.W.A was formed in 1987 by Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren.  The film, S.O.C., chronicles the group's fight to be a voice for the hood; a voice for the unheard; a voice for the truth.  While addressing issues such as the conditions of the predominantly black neighborhoods of Compton, police brutality, the Rodney King beating and subsequent verdict, misguided misogyny, the perils of the music business, the risks of unprotected sex, the dismantling of the group, and the rise of the black businessman in Hip-Hop, S.O.C. also offers an intimate look into the often humorous yet always real personal lives of N.W.A's members. 

Straight Outta Compton is a pure royal gem because it eloquently tackles the story of a music group unafraid to speak their truth.  I'm sure the stars of the film (O'Shea Jackson, Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr., and Aldis Hodge) are well on their way to cinematic stardom.  

If you haven't seen it, it's worth the $8.  You have my word. 

Source: Image--www.nytimes.com