Straight Outta Compton movie quotes tell the story of gangsta rap pioneers N.W.A. The biographical drama, which shares its title with the group's debut album, was directed by Gary Gray using a screenplay by Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff. Straight Outta Compton opened in theaters on August 14, 2015.
In Straight Outta Compton, viewers are taken back to the 1980s when N.W.A. group members Ice Cube (portrayed by Ice Cube's real life son O'Shea Jackson, Jr.), Dr. Dre (portrayed by Corey Hawkins) and Easy-E (portrayed by Jason Mitchell) are struggling in Compton, California. Along with Arabian Prince (portrayed by Brandon LaFourche) and DJ Yella (portrayed by Neil Brown, Jr.), they form the rap group N.W.A. and join Ruthless Records, a label founded by Easy-E and N.W.A. manager Jerry Heller (portrayed by Paul Giamatti).
While N.W.A. sees success with their debut album, Straight Outta Compton, the portrayal of life in the inner city, including police brutality and racial profiling, is criticized by law enforcement, the FBI and the public leading to various conflicts. However, the tension only serves to further motivate the group members and bring attention to their art, leading to continued success. But it doesn't take long before internal conflicts between group members lead to additional issues, all of which the film examines.
Straight Outta Compton is one of several highly anticipated summer 2015 movies along with Fantastic Four, Ricki and the Flash, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, and Southpaw.
Straight Outta Compton Movie Quotes,
Rap is Not an Art
Police Officer: You guys supposed to be somewhere?
Jerry Heller: These are artists.
Police Officer: Rap is not an art.
Jerry Heller: You cannot come down here and harass my clients because of what they look like.
When N.W.A. members are arrested for seemingly no reason, manager Jerry Heller is angered. While rapping about police brutality isn't really a crime, it sure isn't going to make their relations with the cops any better.
A Threat From the Federal Government
Jerry Heller: This isn't the crips and bloods. This is a threat from the federal government.
...
Ice Cube: They trying to tell us what we can't play. This is N.W.A. Yo, Dre.
Dr. Dre: What up?
Ice Cube: I got something to say.
Jerry Heller explains that the FBI has taken exception with N.W.A., their record company, Ruthless, and the distributing company for what the FBI called "advocating violence and assault." This letter doesn't stop N.W.A. from performing, rather only brought more attention to what the group was rapping about.
If You Had the Chance to Change the Situation
Eazy-E: I heard you been spending a lot of time at your auntie house. How's the couch life?
Dr. Dre: I got my woman and my baby living there. It's hard, man, but you know, everybody can't do what you do.
Easy-E: Really what I do getting played out, Dre.
...
Police Officer: Where you think you going?
Ice Cube: I'm just trying to get home.
Doris Jackson: That's my son!
Police Officer: You need to get back in the house or I will ruin your night.
Doris Jackson: O'Shea!
Ice Cube: Don't talk to my moms like that!
...
Easy-E: If you had the chance to change the situation, would you take it?
The life of Easy-E, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre prior to their fame is featured, showing the struggles they dealt with in their younger years. It was the desire to change their lives, and that of their family's, for the better, that worked as one motivating factor to achieve success in the music business.
You're Cruising Down the Street
Dr. Dre: Just hit that first beat hard, all right? You're cruising down the street.
Easy-E: Cruising down the street in my 64...
Dr. Dre: Hey that was dope, E.
Recording their classic track, Dr. Dre and Easy-E work together in the studio to perfect it. Dre recognizes that they are onto something special and is inspired to continue that success.
You Have a Unique Voice
Jerry Heller: Let me tell you what I see here: a lot of raw talent, swagger, bravado. People are scared of you guys. You have a unique voice. They think you're dangerous, but the world needs to hear it.
Jerry Heller, N.W.A.'s manager, gives the guys a pep talk. While what they rap about includes topics that scare many folks, they are talented and should share that with the world.
Our Art is a Reflection of Our Reality
Reporter: Your songs glamorize gangs and drugs.
Ice Cube: Our art is a reflection of our reality.
The rappers are ambushed by reporters at a press conference, including one who suggests that N.W.A. is glamorizing the gangster lifestyle. Ice Cube has a valid response for that journalist in that they rap about what they know, even if the reality is scary.
We Need to Keep Going
Dr. Dre: We need to keep going, man. We can take over the god damn world.
Dr. Dre knows that, despite the threats from the police and FBI, that what they are doing is worthwhile. They can get out of their impoverished roots and bring inner city social issues to the mainstream discussion all at the same time, which is a win-win for all.