Ice Cube said that his lack of formal film education never deterred him from making movies during Monday’s Los Angeles premiere of “Straight Outta Compton,” the story of the controversial rap group NWA that Cube helped found.
“What’s a beautiful thing is, me and [director F. Gary Gray], we never went to film school,” Cube told TheWrap’s film reporter Jeff Sneider. “We never did anything like that. We just used our passion, our drive, and our hood prowess to get us to this point. We just wanted to show everybody you can do this. It’s all inspiration.”
Cube also heaped praised on Universal Pictures chairwoman Donna Langley for being a major supporter in getting the film to the big screen.
“Donna Langley from Universal is the sixth member of NWA, no doubt,” he said.
The film’s director F. Gary Gray, who also directed Ice Cube‘s 1995 comedy “Friday,” spoke about the importance of NWA in America.
“I thank everybody that made it possible for me, but it wouldn’t be possible without the men who stood up and had the courage to be themselves, to say ‘F–k the police’ when they deserved it, and to be themselves,” Gray said. “But thank you guys and I’m honored for you guys allowing me to tell your story because it’s not only hip hop history, it’s American history, and thank everybody here for coming to share that with us.”
The premiere for the N.W.A. biopic also saw heightened security in downtown Los Angeles at L.A. Live, TheWrap reported Monday night.
The stepped-up police presence included special events officers from the LAPD’s Central Bureau, as well as members of the department’s Gang Enforcement Detail, Officer Mike Lopez told TheWrap.
“We will have plenty of resources and officers there in case of any emergency,” Lopez said. “We wish that everybody enjoys the premiere and has a safe evening.”
Also Read: Ice Cube on Why N.W.A. Biopic ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Was Almost DOA in Hollywood (Video)
There were also additional officers on the scene and guests had to pass through metal detectors to enter the theater — which isn’t always the case at Hollywood premieres.
“Straight Outta Compton” opens in theaters on August 14.