Straight Outta Compton chronicles the history of the iconic rap group NWA, and how its members helped revolutionize the music industry and influence a nation with their controversial music that was a reflection of their life in south Los Angeles. From their meteoric rise to their disbanding, the biographical film exposes the honest truth about each of the members’ dreams, ambitions, and hopes, and goes far beyond the conventional “Behind The Music”-style documentary storytelling.

We were recently invited to the film’s press day where we had an opportunity to talk to Straight Outta Compton director, F. Gary Gray, as well as two of its producers and NWA members, Ice Cube and DJ Yella, where we talked about how the project came into fruition, the auditioning process, how the cast exceeded expectations, and addressing the critics who condemned NWA’s music but are receiving praise for the film. Check out the full interview here below.