Ice Cube Says 'Straight Outta Compton' is a "Slice of American History"

Despite the lack of recognition for Straight Outta Compton in this year's Academy Awards, the film's producer and subject, Ice Cube, appears extremely proud of the final cut, calling it a "slice of American history."

Straight Outta Compton wowed critics and fans alike with its honest, hard-hitting portrayal of police brutality in America, executive malpractice in the music business and five ambitious artists who had, arguably, the greatest influence on the later trajectory of hip-hop. While the film may have contained historical inaccuracies, depending on whom you ask, its visceral account of hip-hip history cannot be denied.

The film's subject, rap group NWA, experience a rise to international fame that was as shocking as it was necessary. Straight Outta Compton allowed audiences to experience this excitement all over again.

According to Ice Cube, whose birthname is O'Shea Jackson, Sr., "Getting the recognition from the film industry with a movie like Straight Outta Compton. People heard about it. Heard it in the making. A lot of people was quick to dismiss it as 'It's just gonna be this rap biopic.' But it's actually a slice of American history. So, we wanted to treat it like a slice of American history. And we wanted to talk about all the things that created N.W.A. We didn't create ourselves. It was the circumstances that we grew up in. We tried to make sense of it. And we tried to make art out of it to make sense of it. And ended up people loving us all over the world for it. And here we are."

While historical dramas appear to be very popular among the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, (Selma, 12 Years A Slave, Spotlight, The Immitation Game, Argo, etc.) certain historical chapters seem to be left out. Many wonder why a film regarding the history of a seminal band that influenced both musical output and public perception would be largely left out of the awards.

Musical biopics like Ray won two Oscars, and Walk The Line won one. Why should a critically and commercially lauded film like Straight Outta Compton be left out if, as Ice Cube says, it truly is a slice of history?

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Ice Cube, Straight Outta Compton