Straight Outta Compton held firm at the top of the US box office this weekend after making its debut last week. The NWA biopic, produced by Dr Dre and Ice Cube, took an estimated $26.8m (£17.1m), bringing its running total to over $111.5m (£71.1m).

US and Canada box office top ten
1. Straight Outta Compton - $26.8m (£17.1m)
2. Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation - $11.7m (£7.4m)
3. Sinister 2 - $10.6m (£6.7m)
4. Hitman: Agent 47 - $8.2m (£5.2m)
5. Man from U.N.C.L.E - $7.4m (£4.7m)
6. American Ultra - $5.5m (£3.4m)
7. The Gift - $4.3m (£2.7m)
8. Ant-Man - $4.1m (£2.6m)
9. Minions -$3.7m (£2.35m)
10. Fantastic Four - $3.65m (£2.32m)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34038999

I guess people who are still interested into NWA wanted to see the movie so bad, even though it's just an autobiography on how Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E formed NWA with two other friends in the mid 80s.

I guess people who are still interested into NWA wanted to see the movie so bad, even though it's just an autobiography on how Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E formed NWA with two other friends in the mid 80s.


The film is extremely relevant, though, because of the current social climate.  Following the George Zimmerman and Darin Wilson cases, many young African Americans today are openly upset about the police brutality and social injustice affecting the country as the members of NWA were during the rise of gangsta rap.  The film's major theme was that those who live in these troubled neighborhoods are just as familial as all other Americans, and that gangsta rap is really more about freedom of speech against crooked law enforcement than it is about promoting violence.

The film is extremely relevant, though, because of the current social climate.  Following the George Zimmerman and Darin Wilson cases, many young African Americans today are openly upset about the police brutality and social injustice affecting the country as the members of NWA were during the rise of gangsta rap.  The film's major theme was that those who live in these troubled neighborhoods are just as familial as all other Americans, and that gangsta rap is really more about freedom of speech against crooked law enforcement than it is about promoting violence.


But doesn't it also bring in nostalgia for those who listened to NWA during the late 80s/early 90s? I know that we have a problem with police brutality nowadays, but I think the main purpose of Straight Outta Compton was to introduce young adults who are big fans of hip hop and never heard of the group before, and also bring in nostalgia for those who listened to the group's songs back then.

But doesn't it also bring in nostalgia for those who listened to NWA during the late 80s/early 90s? I know that we have a problem with police brutality nowadays, but I think the main purpose of Straight Outta Compton was to introduce young adults who are big fans of hip hop and never heard of the group before, and also bring in nostalgia for those who listened to the group's songs back then.


To a degree, yes, but music biopics aren't usually this popular.  Even Katy Perry's 2012 autobiographical movie did poorly at the box office, despite positive reviews and the fact that it was released after she had already become extremely famous.  The main reasons for Straight Outta Compton's enormous box office success are definitely sociopolitical.  It made almost twice as much in just its opening weekend as Katy Perry: Part of Me did during its entire run.

By the way, this was the trailer for Straight Outta Compton, with an introduction from NWA veterans Dr. Dre and Ice Cube (with emphasis on the 0:49 mark on):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrlLcb7zYmw

I read that they are working on a sequel, Straight Outta Compton II.  8)

I read that they are working on a sequel, Straight Outta Compton II.  8)


Why would they need to make a sequel on Straight Outta Compton? Isn't the whole point of Straight Outta Compton was to see how the NWA formed in the mid 80s? Why can't they name it Straight Outta New York so they can see how Tupac and Biggie became rappers? That would make sense.

Why would they need to make a sequel on Straight Outta Compton? Isn't the whole point of Straight Outta Compton was to see how the NWA formed in the mid 80s? Why can't they name it Straight Outta New York so they can see how Tupac and Biggie became rappers? That would make sense.


Or maybe Straight Outta Pittsburgh, to chronicle the rise of Steel City rapper Whiz Kalifa.

Or maybe Straight Outta Pittsburgh, to chronicle the rise of Steel City rapper Whiz Kalifa.


or Straight Outta Queens.

or Straight Outta Queens.


Which is basically similar to Straight Outta New York.

Straight Outta Eight Mile, the story of the rise of Eminem.

Straight Outta Compton held firm at the top of the US box office this weekend after making its debut last week. The NWA biopic, produced by Dr Dre and Ice Cube, took an estimated $26.8m (£17.1m), bringing its running total to over $111.5m (£71.1m).

US and Canada box office top ten
1. Straight Outta Compton - $26.8m (£17.1m)
2. Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation - $11.7m (£7.4m)
3. Sinister 2 - $10.6m (£6.7m)
4. Hitman: Agent 47 - $8.2m (£5.2m)
5. Man from U.N.C.L.E - $7.4m (£4.7m)
6. American Ultra - $5.5m (£3.4m)
7. The Gift - $4.3m (£2.7m)
8. Ant-Man - $4.1m (£2.6m)
9. Minions -$3.7m (£2.35m)
10. Fantastic Four - $3.65m (£2.32m)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34038999
Straight Outta Compton opens here on September 15th.