How to make sure your child develops a healthy appreciation of history - ask them to tell you the background of their favorite singing group - then stand back and find out what a scholar they are on the subject, right Eryn and Ryann??? I found out the name of every single person Taylor Swift had even THOUGHT about dating - keep that tradition going, girls!
The story of N.W.A. (Niggas With Attitude..) told in the new film, "Straight Outta Compton", gives you a good starting point. I used to read all of the articles back in the day, so I do remember most of it.
Ice Cube was a street smart poet from a stable family, Dr. Dre was a brother much like the brothers I grew up with who helped put House Music on the map. He was getting as much DJ work as he could and dreaming of a life on the next level. Easy E was a brother who made his money the hard way - he was the dopeman. But once he put his organizational and management skills to better use, he made it possible for he and his friends to put out a product that was legal but habit forming - a take down rap that resonated with the whole country.
You may not be into rap, and even I didn't buy rap that denigrated women or the police, but I loved a good rap song, especially since the background music was usually a hit record that sold millions.
If you want to learn about the roots of rap from Cali - start here!
This story is one that everyone should see - it's like "A Star is Born" for rap music - everybody was waiting on a break - then they go to the top, some keep soaring in different trajectories, and some just fall back to earth with a thud - but they do rise again.
You'll love the songs, the action, and the maturation of a great group of guys. Like other stars, they got hooked up with someone who didn't know what he was doing, took advantage of them, and wound up leaving them in debt. Talk about jumping out of the frying pan into the fire, they escaped that situation and some got involved with the infamous Suge Knight. They don't pull any punches in telling that story, either - whew!!!!
What's missing is the story of the East Coast West Coast rivalry - that's another movie, so save me an aisle seat. Go get all your money and check out a true summer gem - the music and memories are well worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment