Writing this piece has me excited, maybe its because of the history attached to it or because it was a really dope movie; lets call it a combination of both. “Straight Outta Compton” made its way into theaters 2 weeks ago and it has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue, to some its even going down as a classic. Like most, I love rap music. As much as I try and change my music station, it always happens to fall back to rap/hip hop. Now, I don’t proclaim to be the one that knows every hip hop song or a “Rap Head”, but I know my stuff and “Straight Outta Compton” fed my inner rapper. This movie brought alive the backstory on some of Hip Hop’s greatest; it gave us a glimpse into what it was like to go against the grain when you’re told not to and what it really means to start from the bottom.
For all of us “Straight Outta Compton” was a great movie and some left it at that, but me… come on guys, y’all know I thought way deeper than the norm and I pulled some stuff from it.This movie really deepened my appreciation for “gangsta” rap; Dre, Cube and Eazy were doper than I thought. This movie was a history lesson for the new, a generation of the old and an appreciation for our culture. “Straight Outta Compton” is definitely a classic and let me tell you why. Here are the Top 10 things you should’ve walked away with after watching “Straight Outta Compton”:
10. Know Your Worth
Probably the most important concept I took away from this movie. Cube kind of opened this up for me. O’Shea (Ice Cube’s legal name) left $75K on the table! All while AFTER being on tour and not being compensated correctly. He did something most of us wouldn’t, he walked away because he knew what he was worth; he knew what he meant to NWA and if they (Ruthless Records) couldn’t see it, he’d rather walk away. And that he did. Cube in this movie portrayed a lot of us who work for free or at a discounted rate because of relationships and the trust built on them. We think that because we have a previous relationship, they won’t do us wrong, but Cube and his circle shows us otherwise. Now, I don’t think any of this was of bad intent, like Heller kept famously saying “its business”. What changed the game was when Cube decided to conduct business for himself (with his amazing wife Kim in tow) and realize nothing was going to get done until he took charge of his career. And today, he has his own empire.
Know that you’re worth every sweat and tear you put into your work. Don’t let people, even those in your circle, convince you to “chill out” or “just ride the wave” you deserve to be compensated for everything you do, you deserve to name your price and you deserve your own spotlight.
And yea, Cube is bat crazy low-key lol
9. Know Yourself
I don’t think I can repeat this one enough, wait, yes I can, KNOW YOURSELF. This was Dre’s shining moment. Dre embodies every person who knows they are great, but doesn’t quite have the right backing and their family doesn’t believe in them yet. Its what happens when people kind of laugh at your dreams; Dre’s storyline played that out for us. And yea, Dre is a lot of us. Going into this, I knew small stuff about Dre, but after seeing his backstory on the big screen, there’s more of a connection I feel towards him. Dre was the backbone to NWA or the glue, he brought everyone together and he was the one that kind of kept them together. Dre was the peace among hell. He saw something bigger than everybody and knew the greatness that was instilled in him and his group; He knew what they were doing was bigger than Compton. Dre never loss sight of who he was or what he was aiming to accomplish, which was taking care of his family and making a name for himself because of his love for music. All because he never envisioned himself doing anything else.
Dr. Dre, look at him now. Biggest deal with Apple. Own record label. Millions of records sold. Put out amazing artists. Whats not to admire about what he accomplished? Dre shows us to not give up on your dream. One thing that impressed me most was that he hustled SMART. While he was DJing at a club that only played R&B, he made sure when he got his moment, he and Cube shined. He used his job to get a head; he used his current season to sow seeds into the next. That’s what you have to do, know YOURSELF. Know what you want and know who you are to accomplish it. Don’t let naysayers or doubt change your course in life. Whatever you want to become, achieve it. Its up to you to make your dreams come true. Use your time, where you currently are, wisely. Everything is a stepping stone to something greater. Use it to your advantage; make life work for YOU.
(And yes, I’m fully aware of Dre’s past with women, but this isn’t about that. We are talking from the perspective of the movie)
8. Never Stop Fighting For What You Believe In
“Your songs glamorize the lifestyle of gangs, drugs and guns” Dre answered it perfectly “Our art is a reflection of our reality. What you see when you go outside your door? I know what I see. You get AK’s from Russia and cocaine from Columbia” Eazy “And aint none of us got a passport. May wanna check your source”
This press conference can say more than I ever can. Don’t let people, especially the media punk you. NWA told their story, their way despite threats from the government and warnings of jail from police; they knew that people needed to hear their story the way they experienced it.
7. Know Your Circle
Did y’all see Suge Knight? Think that’s enough for this bit.
6. Keep Your Family Close
When Dre’s brother died, that was a turning point for me. It was a
moment of vulnerability, when you saw the group become one for their
brother and the genuine love they had for each other. It wasn’t
money, it wasn’t music, it was love at that one moment. Family doesn’t necessarily have to mean “by blood” its sometimes your friends who become the closest thing to you. The movie shows how important is to remember who you started with and why. Family can keep you grounded and humble.
5.Have Fun.
I heard the NWA pool parties were legendary, which also I think we saw that in the movie. (Maybe not so much naked women and such. The misogyny of that group/movie is another topic lol) But outside of all of that, they enjoyed their journey, they enjoyed each other. From start to even when they were working their way back to each other, you see how they brought out the best, and sometimes the worse, in each other, but you knew when they were having a great time. Enjoy your way to the top and the people you take with you.
4. Your Health Is Important
GO TO THE DOCTOR. With so many diseases running rapid, please make sure your health is taken care of. There are many theories on Eazy-E’s death, but if we are basing it off the movie, he unfortunately died from AIDs. I’m not totally sure if any of this was preventive and maybe he could’ve got the proper medication, I mean Magic is still alive, but who knows what would’ve happened if he went to the doctor when he first started coughing. That’s probably the worst part, we don’t know what would’ve been. Know your status and please, go to the doctor regularly.
3. Your Community Still Needs You
No matter how big you get, always remember where you started. Never forget what it was like for you growing up. Dreaming beyond where you’re from. There are people from your area who look up to you and see you as a mirrored reflection; you’re someone’s hero. Help them. Help uplift and strengthen your community. Sometimes, they’re the only ones backing you.
2. Your Dream Is Bigger Than You
The best part about this movie is seeing Cube son, play him. I’m sure during that time he never envisioned anything like it. I can only imagine how proud he is and what an accomplishment it is for his son; To retrace your father’s footsteps as of the greatest rap groups in history and to perfection may I add. While you’re dreaming and working, know that all of this will eventually be bigger than you. That this moment, this dream, can affect everyone around you. Can I throw a Dame Dash quote in? “Work for your last name”
1. Yeah, Race Is Still An Issue
Sadly, I don’t know if we will ever overcome racism. I don’t know if people will ever get over it. Why is it even important? What does it prove? There are a million and one questions I can ask about racism, its just something I will never understand. I was born into a biracial family and weirdly, I don’t ever remember asking questions about it. Why my father’s mother’s white face was different from my mom’s mother, it just didn’t matter to me. And maybe that’s because they’re family, I was taught to love before anything, unfortunately, not everyone has that upbringing. What NWA experienced is something that is still ringing true to this day, some even being murdered at the hands that were meant to protect us. Its a sad time we are living in, honestly, its safe to say its always been sad. Just because racism can hide its face doesn’t mean it goes away; Its been known to take other forms. I wish there was something prophetic I can say to promise you that one day you wont be stereotyped because of what you look like, sadly that’s the world we live in. In no way in 2015, should we be STILL scared to raise black men; parents don’t even know if they’re child will make it back home. So what can you do? What can I do? We can do what NWA did and speak. We all may not be the cursing type, but everyone has their platform, use it. Use your voice and talent the best way you know how and use it for the greater good. This world is amazing, lets not drown it out in only two colors.
I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it. I loved this movie and when it comes out on DVD, I hope it breaks records. F. Gary Gary did an amazing job and told this story to perfection.
Till next time,
Luck