Last Friday I decided to do some bonding with my daughter and take her to the movies. Feeling a little selfish, I decided to choose a movie that allowed me to relive a bit of my youth while at the same time introduce her to some hip hop history. So of course we went and saw Straight Outta Compton. The movie was exactly what I was hoping for — real shit!

I’m going to do my best to keep the great stuff to myself but I have to applaud F. Gary Gary for mastering a movie that embodied the soul of black youth and the struggle — a struggle still occurring present day around the US — of the black community during the rise of gangsta rap.

Our art is a reflection of our reality – O’Shea Jackson a.k.a. Ice Cube

The movie was honest, inspiring, hilarious, intense, revealing and totally amazing. I’m sure he juiced up some scenes, dramatized some conversations but what he didn’t have to touch was the pure talent of each member and what they brought to the NWA table. BTW, I had to update my Top 5 Diss Tracks to include No Vaseline at #2. I forgot how raw the lyrics were and the movie knocked some sense back into me.

But back to the movie. I was honored to learn about the plight of five young black man who were growing up not only in Compton, CA but who also grew up in the music industry shining a light to the real financial hardships of striving artists. I definitely have a new appreciation for the hard work that goes into creating musical masterpieces.

F. Gary Gary nailed this one and I can wait to see what these amazing up and coming actors do next. I’m so glad that this was released at this particular time. My daughter was able to, in 2 1/2 hours, understand why us, adults, today are tired of the police brutality plaguing our community and how monumental NWA’s message has been for generations ever since.

Now go watch it and if you have seen it already go again!! I’m going back this weekend! Yeee-ee, yee-eee!

#NWA #Straightouttacompton #1movie #wheretheawardsat #westsideisthebestside #epic