Compare Straight Outta Compton with Drumline Essay Example

hip hop has been used as a mainstream art form to reflect the suffering in communities. According to Houston, rap was referred to as the black community's way of conveying important information about their surroundings. The films Straight Outta Compton and Dreamline echo this reality. For example, in the movie, Eazy-E is forcefully pressed against a police car while the cops verbally insult his mother near their house. This incident inspires Dre to shift his money from drugs to music.

Following the release of Straight Outta Compton, N.W.A's entire five-member crew encountered police while in their recording studio. The studio manager was furious with the police's actions, and Ice Cube boldly expressed his discontent by penning the phrase "fuck tha police," which thrust N.W.A into the spotlight. Despite subsequent threats from both Detroit police and the federal government, who considered legal action if the crew continued performing their music, N.W.A persisted and ultimately faced arrest. Surprisingly, this act inspired their audience in Detroit and awakened a newfound black consciousness. This raises an intriguing question about artists' motivation for creating music: Is it purely for financial gain or as a representation of their heart, community, and nation? Many have chosen the latter approach, but it would be unfair to criticize those who prioritize financial stability (the former option).

The majority of rappers strive to create authentic artistic work. N.W.Group members have personally experienced police brutality, which is why their music aimed at condemning the prison-industrial complex and criticizing poverty. The film also urges citizens to honestly acknowledge the occurrences in their surroundings.

Work cited

1. Best, Kelly. "Hip-hop on the east side: A multi-sited ethnography of breakdancing and rap music from St. John’s and Grand Falls, Newfoundland." Newfoundland and Labrador studies 22.1 (2007). Pg 69-104.
2. Sides, Josh. "Straight into Compton: American dreams, urban nightmares, and the metamorphosis of a black suburb." American Quarterly 56.3 (2004): 583-605.