The second theatrical trailer for Universal Picture’s Straight Outta Compton, which chronicles the ups and downs of the hip-hop group N.W.A., has been revealed. The first trailer for the film highlighted the social and cultural importance of the group, even showcasing a feature with producers Dr. Dre and Ice Cube before the preview. While this trailer continues to touch on the group’s cultural relevance, it also focuses on more of the backstory of the individual members, giving us glimpses into the lives of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Eazy-E.
The trailer also makes a point of focusing on the rising tension between N.W.A. and members of the LAPD, perhaps aware of the social relevance of what is going on in much of the country today between law enforcement officials and black youth. The film is sure to expound upon some of those themes and touch on some very current topics that are sure to generate a lot of discussion.
Directed by F. Gary Gray, Straight Outta Compton is the highest-profile rap biopic since 2009’s Notorious, which chronicled the life of slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. Gray seems to be the perfect director for the project, as the filmmaker already has a solid relationship with producer Ice Cube, having directed him in 1995’s Friday. He also started his career directing music videos in the West Coast rap sub-genre, having worked on Dr. Dre and Ice Cube’s “Natural Born Killaz.” Gray previously directed another film highlighting the music industry, the decidedly more comedic Be Cool.
Straight Outta Compton will star Corey Hawkins (Non-Stop), Jason Mitchell (Broken City), O’Shea Jackson Jr., and Paul Giamatti (The Amazing Spider-Man 2). Compton will be one of two musical biopics starring Giamatti coming out this year, following the Beach Boys film Love & Mercy. It’s also his second collaboration with F. Gary Gray, whom he teamed up with for 1998’s The Negotiator.
Straight Outta Compton will hit theaters on August 14.
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