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“Straight Outta Compton” Lands N.W.A. On Top 40 Charts…27 Years Later

Both of N.W.A.'s two studio full-length albums carry platinum plaques. 1988's Straight Outta Compton and 1991's Ni**az4Life have this distinction, as does 1990 EP 100 Miles & Runnin', while 1987's N.W.A. & The Posse, and two separate greatest hits volumes are gold. With their sophomore LP boasting a #1 on... Read more

Ice Cube & O’Shea Jackson, Jr. Share Powerful Father-Son Moments in 1-on-1 Conversation (Video)

O'Shea Jackson, Jr. had perhaps the biggest shoes to fill of all of his co-stars in his role in Straight Outta Compton . The son of N.W.A.'s Ice Cube, Jackson, Jr. has been earning rave reviews for his portrayal of his father, putting to rest any remaining talk there may be... Read more

Bye Felicia: How ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Is Initiating a Conversation About Misogyny (Audio)

In the 1995 film Friday, the F. Gary Gray comedy starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, there is perhaps no more regularly quoted line than "Bye, Felicia," a phrase that has experienced a resurgence in popularity thanks to today's Internet culture. Common in hashtag form, the pop-culture reference is a... Read more

Rare 25-Year Old N.W.A. Photos & Collectibles Resurface, Care of a Longterm Fan (Interview)

Only now, in 2015, is N.W.A. a group that can test the waters of the digital era. It's been nearly 25 years since the group existed, and more than that since it had its famous five member lineup including Ice Cube. In 1988, there were no blogs, no streams, no... Read more

Kevin Hart & Ice Cube Are Going For Another Ride and It’s a Wild One (Video)

After the blockbuster success of their movie Ride Along, the sequel to Kevin Hart and Ice Cube's buddy/cop movie was fast-tracked. Ride Along 2 is set to hit theaters in January 2016 and it looks to be a wild ride. Unlike with the first installment which was set in LA,... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Interviews N.W.A. & Asks All The Right Questions (Video)

It is fitting that N.W.A.'s first full-length interview in conjunction with Straight Outta Compton be conducted by none other than Kendrick Lamar. On behalf of Billboard, Lamar sits down for an intimate conversation with Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella. Nearly 30 minutes, this interview transcends a... Read more

Dr. Dre Confronts Abusive Past. Explains Why Compton Ended The Detox.

The same day Straight Outta Compton hits theaters (August 14), Rolling Stone magazine will release their interview with N.W.A. co-founders Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. For now, the heralded music pub only released tidbits from their rare audience with D-R-E, alongside his "Natural Born Killaz" rhyme-partner Cube. For Dre, this... Read more

Ice Cube & MC Ren Explain Why Rap Groups Are Hard To Sustain

This week, Straight Outta Compton opens to theaters. Presumably, millions of movie-goers will see Hollywood's take on the formation, rise, and eventual break-up of one of Hip-Hop's most influential and iconic groups: N.W.A. While the surviving members of N.W.A. (Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren) all participated... Read more

Ice Cube Responds To Lyric Annotations Of His Hit Songs (Video)

With Straight Outta Compton's theatrical release date only a few days away, much attention has been paid to N.W.A. and their legacy, and now the film's title inspiration is being addressed by Ice Cube. On a video feature for Vanity Fair magazine's website, the founding member of the historic rap... Read more

Dr. Dre Put Compton On The Map. Now He’s Immortalizing Its Legacy (Album Stream)

Announced just days ago, Dr. Dre's third studio album, Compton, has released as planned. The N.W.A. co-founder named his first LP in nearly 16 years after the Hub City that he hails from. Now, the Beats By Dre namesake drops off the deeply-anticipated work to Apple Music for an exclusive... Read more

Ice Cube Talks Rap Beef, Jerry Heller, Dr. Dre’s New Album & More (Video)

With the highly anticipated N.W.A. biopic, Straight Outta Compton set to be released next Friday (August 14), Ice Cube and the cast of the film sat down with HOT 97's Ebro, Laura Stylez and Peter Rosenberg for an interview. The cast included Ice Cube's son, O'Shea Jackson Junior, who plays... Read more

Get The Backstory To The Presumed First Ever Photo Of N.W.A. (Video)

In the history of N.W.A., the pre-1988 material often lives in the shadows. The "Panic Zone" 12" featured artwork also purposed for 1987's N.W.A. & The Posse compilation album on Macola. Author, DJ, historian, and Soul Sides founder Oliver Wang examined this photograph from '87, leading up to this month's... Read more

What Does Ice Cube Think About Ghostwriting In Hip-Hop? (Video)

Ice Cube is widely regarded as one of Hip-Hop's most influential MCs. Whether with N.W.A., Westside Connection, or a multi-platinum solo career, the Los Angeles, California MC has written songs that have defined years, eras, and Rap music as a whole. Notably, Cube has written for others along the way,... Read more

It’s Official. Dr. Dre’s First Album in 16 Years Will Be Released Friday.

As we reported earlier today, Dr. Dre announced the release of his first album since 1999's 2001 today on his The Pharmacy show on Apple Music. The album is titled Compton: The Soundtrack and will hit stores on August 7. He confirmed the album is completely different than the infamous... Read more

Dr. Dre’s New Album Will Not Be Released Today…But It’s Coming Soon (Audio)

Earlier this week, Ice Cube set the web on fire when he stated during an interview that Dr. Dre had created an album inspired by the forthcoming motion picture Straight Outta Compton (8/14), and that it would be released on August 1. However, new information suggests the album will not... Read more

Vic Mensa Ends All Questions About Why Jay Z Signed Him With This Freestyle Over Classic Biggie (Audio)

Over the past few months, Vic Mensa has been adding his own flavor to the work of others, including his re-imagining of Future's "Codeine Crazy," his "Breakfast Bars" segment attacking some vintage Ice Cube beats, and his chance to pay homage to his current boss, Jay-Z, by freestyling over the... Read more

Ice Cube Says Dr. Dre’s ‘Straight Outta Compton Soundtrack’ Arrives This Week (Video)

With just over two weeks until the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton hits theaters, the excitement and anticipation over the film is palpable, to say the least. Buttressed by the forthcoming reunion tour, public discourse about some of rap music's most prolific young artists has reached a fever pitch, and... Read more

Eminem Slated To Take Eazy-E’s Spot As Honorary N.W.A. Member On Tour.

UPDATE: One day later (July 23), an unnamed Eminem and Dr. Dre representative has told Rolling Stone magazine that the reports regarding Eminem and an N.W.A. are not true. The original report: For the most part, attentions surrounding August 14's Straight Outta Compton are focused on the film. The F.... Read more

N.W.A. Discusses The Authenticity Of “Straight Outta Compton” With Fab 5 Freddy (Video)

As the host/VJ of "Yo! MTV Raps," Fab 5 Freddy was a major correspondent with N.W.A. at a time when the Compton, California group was fiercely counter-cultural. Twenty five years later, Freddie reunites with Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren on the set of August 14 biopic... Read more

Eminem & Kendrick Lamar Are Confirmed Artists For ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Soundtrack

Since March, a lot of speculation has surrounded the likelihood of a soundtrack for the Straight Outta Compton N.W.A. biopic. With just a month until the Universal film, produced by Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Eazy-E's widow (Tomica Woods-Wright), it appears that a soundtrack is indeed coming. In March, Dre... Read more

Vic Mensa Is Breaking New Ground. But He Can Still Crush Old Ice Cube Beats (Video)

Vic Mensa fronted a Rock & Roll band. Vic Mensa made hits with House music. But can Vic Mensa obliterate some '90s and 2000s G-Funk? Most definitely. The Save Money MC hits "The Cruz Show" to munch on some "Breakfast Bars," better described as classic Ice Cube instrumentals. The Chicago,... Read more

Snoop Says Dr. Dre “Hated” Deep Cover and Was Not Going to Release It (Video)

Michael Rapaport was the latest guest on Snoop's GGN web series and the conversation was like no other. For the first 7 minutes, the two went deep about the night they both met Tupac. They each attended a wrap party for the film Poetic Justice and Rapaport witnessed a tense... Read more

Happy Birthday Ice Cube. May It Be A Good Day…

Today (June 15), MC/actor Ice Cube turns 46 years old. As he gears up for the Straight Outta Compton N.W.A. biopic (August 14), an on-stage reunion with MC Ren and DJ Yella, and a Barbershop 3 costarring Common, it seems safe to say it will be a good year for... Read more

Did Hollywood Forget N.W.A. Had 5 Members? Here’s Some Love for MC Ren & DJ Yella.

This week has been a roller-coaster for fans of "Rap's Most Dangerous Group": N.W.A. On Monday (June 8), it was revealed that Ice Cube will reunite on stage with DJ Yella for the first time since 1989. MC Ren will be there too as part of Los Angeles, California's BET... Read more

MC Ren Gets Ruthless About N.W.A. “Straight Outta Compton” Trailers

N.W.A. had four MCs: founder Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and MC Ren. In the marketing materials for August 14's Straight Outta Compton biopic, Ren feels as though he is not getting proper billing. Specifically, Ren attacked some of the Universal Pictures trailers. This morning (June 10), the Compton, California... Read more

Common, Nicki Minaj and More Will Join Ice Cube in Barbershop 3 (Behind The Scenes Video)

Out of Ice Cube's many film franchises, Barbershop is one of the most beloved. The original film debuted in 2002, starring Anthony Anderson, Cedrick the Entertainer, Eve and more, along with Cube. The movie went on to gross $75 million in theaters and spawned a sequel in 2004, a Beauty... Read more

Ice Cube To Perform With MC Ren & DJ Yella For First Time Since 1989

The N.W.A. storyline is most certainly heating up with Summer. It has been more than 15 years since N.W.A. appeared to reunite care of The Next Friday soundtrack's "Chin Check" and Ice Cube's "Hello." However, while both Priority Records-backed songs were billed to media and fans as N.W.A. hallmarks, the... Read more

Killer Mike Names His Favorite MCs and Talks Deep Hip-Hop History With Snoop (Video)

Killer Mike is the latest guest on Snoop Dogg's GGN. The Run The Jewels co-founder brings some flammable treats for Tha Doggfather, as the two wax poetic about a range of topics. Snoop, a confirmed R.T.J. fan, asks Mike about linking up with El-P. "You spend your whole life looking... Read more

Ice Cube Reveals He Originally Wanted Dr. Dre to Produce Amerikkka’s Most Wanted (Video)

As we reported earlier, today (5/16) is the 25th anniversary of the release of Ice Cube's debut album, Amerikkka's Most Wanted. To celebrate the milestone, Cube has made a series of videos detailing behind the scenes stories about the making of the landmark LP. In part 1, the rapper born... Read more

Once Again It’s On: Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted Rings True At 25

A quarter of a century ago today (May 16, 1990), Ice Cube released his solo debut. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted signaled his post-N.W.A. career, and the acrimonious split left fans eager to hear Cube's perspective. However, what those supporters received was more dynamic than one man's tale of anger and revenge,... Read more

Ever Hear The Single From Dr. Dre & E-A-Ski’s Planned Collabo Album? (Audio)

To say things are "good" for Dr. Dre is a brutal understatement. The Compton, California impresario is breathing down the neck of being a billionaire (if he is not already there), he is the subject and producer of a major studio N.W.A. biopic, and he's got arguably Hip-Hop's best MCs... Read more

Never Before Released Footage From Friday Rehearsals Surfaces Featuring Ice Cube & Chris Tucker (Video)

Last week, was the 20th anniversary of the release of the film Friday. Starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, the movie has become a cult classic both because of the universal themes it addressed and the authentic feeling of the hilarious dialogue. However, like most things in life, greatness often... Read more

Here’s a Look at the Real-Life Settings for Some of Hip-Hop’s Most Iconic Album Covers (Photo)

Part of the experience of enjoying an album, Hip-Hop or otherwise, is taking in the cover art that comes with the music. Technology and the Internet have made it so that fewer people actually pay attention to the cover art when they download an album, but recently the internet gave... Read more

The Friday Soundtrack Turns 20. Here’s Why It’s Still Influential Two Decades Later (Food For Thought)

Released twenty years ago today (April 11, 1995), the soundtrack to Friday is exemplary of the musical consciousness emanating from many inner cities in America at the time. Equal parts R&B, funk, and Hip-Hop, the soundtrack went double-platinum, besting soundtracks to other popular films featuring Black lead actors, like Bad... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Tupac vs. Ice Cube…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

A New Straight Outta Compton Trailer Emerges. It Still Looks Incredible…(Video)

The latest in a series of trailers has emerged for Straight Outta Compton, the upcoming biopic (August 14) on N.W.A. With Universal Pictures' branding, this appears to be the real deal, and builds greatly upon the part-trailer, part Chrysler advertisement, part vignette from February. There are some really interesting things... Read more

Eternal E: Remembering Eazy-E’s Massive Contributions 20 Years Later (Food For Thought)

Eazy-E, who was only 31 when he died 20 years ago today (March 26, 1995), was considered one (if not the) progenitor of West Coast Gangsta Rap. As a record label executive, he established a blueprint for future young, Black entrepreneurs. As a member of N.W.A., he helped lend a... Read more

Dr. Dre Says Straight Outta Compton Will Clarify N.W.A.’s Perceived Misogyny (Video)

Among N.W.A.'s legendary tracks are "Just Don't Bite It," "Findum, Fuckum & Flee," and the interlude, "To Kill A Hooker." Nearly 25 years after the group famously disbanded, Dr. Dre says that the perceived misogyny behind the lyrics and music by himself, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella... Read more

Prince Paul’s Back, Blending Very Rare KRS-One, MF DOOM, Eminem & Alkaholiks (Mix)

Prince Paul's "It’s Not The Size of Your Mix It’s How You Use It" turns out to be a series after all. Following February's free-form mix of whatever the hell the Long Island, New Yorker wanted to spin, the Grammy Award-winning jokester is back with a second series. Volume 2... Read more

The Polished Trailer For “Straight Outta Compton” Features Dr. Dre, N.W.A. & Lots Of Subtleties (Video)

While Compton's Kendrick Lamar won big in the evening, during the 57th Grammy Awards, Heads did not see Dr. Dre or Ice Cube in the audience, or on stage. However, the Hip-Hop legends whose fates are forever tied starred in a lengthy trailer for Straight Outta Compton, the upcoming N.W.A.... Read more

Suge Knight Officially Charged with Murder. Could Face Life in Prison.

Less than one week since the January 29 hit-and-run incident, killing Terry Carter and injuring Cle “Bone” Sloan, Marion “Suge” Knight has been formally charged with one count of murder, and one count of attempted murder. ABC7.com reports the breaking news. Additionally, the Compton native was charged with two counts... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Ice Cube vs. Too Short…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

Ready for That NWA Film? Here’s a Look at the Trailer…Hood Style (Video)

Hip-Hop fans went crazy at the announcement last year that the long-rumored biopic about N.W.A. would become a reality in 2015 and had the official co-sign from founding members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. At a recent event, Ice Cube gave a sneak preview of the trailer for the film... Read more

Chris Rock Dramatically Quotes Ice Cube & N.W.A. In This “Top 5” Clip (Video)

Clearly based largely on his own life and experiences, Chris Rock's Top 5, from title alone is built around opinions and rankings. Evident in the currently-screening film's roll-out, Rock loves ranking comedians, rappers, acts, albums, and more—as does his Andre Allen character in the film. The authenticity in this role... Read more

Ice Cube Does Magic Tricks for Elmo and It’s ASTOUNDING (Video)

In 1988, would you have ever believed that Ice Cube, Amerikkka's Most Wanted, himself, would ever be on Sesame Street?? Times have definitely changed...Check out this video of Cube doing magic tricks for Elmo. It's guaranteed you will find it ASTOUNDING. Related: Ice Cube Has Some Furrowed Brow Follow-Up Fun... Read more

Ice Cube Has Some Furrowed Brow Follow-Up Fun On Jimmy Kimmel Live (Video)

After Ice Cube's summertime segment for "Jimmy Kimmel Live," why not re-up with some more? With Don Mega and Dr. Dre co-producing the N.W.A biopic, Straight Outta Compton, Cube stopped by, to throw his spin on some festive, particularly corny lines, delivered in an O'Shea Jackson kind of way: Related:... Read more

Ice Cube & Chuck D Recall The Transition From N.W.A To Amerikkka’s Most Wanted

In the spring of 1990, Ice Cube broke out in his solo career with Amerikkka's Most Wanted. The controversially-titled Priority Records release found the South Central, California MC out of N.W.A, and amicably so at that point. A would-be platinum album, in many circles, it contends as Cube's finest work.... Read more

Here is an Unbelievable Mix of 90’s Hip-Hop Remixes. Press Play and Get Ready (Audio)

SoulBounce's DJ Harvey Dent has put together an incredible mix of 90's Hip-Hop, featuring nothing but remixes. You'll hear music from Method Man & Redman, Common, Pete Rock & CL Smooth,The Fugees, Ice Cube, Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, LL Cool J, House of Pain, Lil Kim, Craig Mack, The Luniz, The... Read more

Guess Which Oscar-Nominated Actor Will Play Jerry Heller In N.W.A’s Biopic…

Jerry Heller, a famed mogul of Gangsta Rap in the late 1980s and early 1990s, helped Eazy-E and N.W.A crossover into mainstream America, as well as a global audience. A veteran record executive who had worked with the likes of Elton John and Ike & Tina Turner, the Cleveland, Ohio... Read more

Ice Cube Goes From Gangsta Rap To Booty Bass On Drop Girl (Video)

Ice Cube is a musical chameleon in the best way possible. After his celebrated tenure as a Gangsta Rap innovator in N.W.A. and C.I.A., Cube went solo and was among Hip-Hop's first artists to seek out pan-am production. Before Masta Ace had a West Coast sound, and Fat Joe had... Read more