N.W.A biopic “Straight Outta Compton” was one of the notable shutouts at the Oscar nominations on Thursday morning, when it received just one nod for Best Original Screenplay and was totally snubbed in the Best Picture and Actor categories.
While social media exploded with disgruntled messages about the lack of diversity at the Oscars once again — sparking the revival of last year’s #OscarsSoWhite hashtag — the hit movie’s producer and subject Ice Cube said on “The Wendy Williams Show” later Thursday afternoon that he isn’t “pissed” about being overlooked by the Academy.
“I was surprised you weren’t nominated for more than just Best Original Screenplay,” Williams said, while slipping in a swift “congratulations” to the rapper-turned-filmmaker. “But that’s not your award — that’s the screenplay award … I thought you guys would get more,” she added.
“Me too,” was Ice Cube‘s deadpan response, appearing to be less upset about it than Williams.
“I’m not pissed. I’m not surprised. It’s the Oscars, they do what they do,” he continued.
“The people loved the movie, the people supported the movie,” he stressed. “It was No. 1 at the box office, over $200 million worldwide. I can’t be mad, you know.”
The hip-hop star went on to reveal that his son O’Shea Jackson, Jr., who played Cube in the movie, was surprised by some of the hard-partying hotel room scenes. “He didn’t know that we had guns and stuff on tour — back when we were young and dumb,” said the “Ride Along 2” star.
“We were from L.A. … but we realized after a tour or two that we didn’t need them.”
As for N.W.A being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cube wasn’t too fired up about that honor either.
“N.W.A was anti-establishment so we’re used to people trying to dismiss what we’re trying to say, with the industry looking down on us … we’re the black sheep of the industry,” he told Williams.
Ice Cube will next be seen in “Ride Along 2” alongside Kevin Hart, which hits theaters on Friday.
'Straight Outta Compton' and 9 Other Hip-Hop Movies That Were Ballers at the Box Office (Photos)
"Straight Outta Compton" (2015) The biopic about the rise and fall of N.W.A blazed into box-office history with a $60.2 million debut, the biggest opening ever for an R-rated film in August.
Universal
"8 Mile" (2002) The drama, about a struggling young rapper (Eminem), made $116.8 million domestically at the box office. With a budget of $41 million, this hip-hop movie was a big baller for Universal.
Universal
"Notorious" (2009) Chronicling the life and death of rap icon Notorious B.I.G., the film had a budget of $20 million and made $36.8 million domestically. It starred Jamal Woolard and Derek Luke.
20th Century Fox
"Get Rich or Die Tryin'" (2005) 50 Cent starred in this semi-autobiographical drama about a drug dealer who turns away from crime to pursue a career in rap. It made $30 million domestically off a $40 million budget.
Paramount Pictures
"Brown Sugar" (2002) This movie about a magazine editor who falls in love with a hip-hop record exec starred Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan and Mos Def. It made $27.3 million off a budget of $8 million.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Bulworth" (1998) Warren Beatty directs and stars in this drama about a politician who decides to start speaking the truth and using rap music to get his point across. Isaiah Washington and Halle Berry co-starred in the film, which made $26.5 million at the domestic box office. However, it had a $30 million budget.
20th Century Fox
"Hustle & Flow" (2005) Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning and Taraji P. Henson star in the Oscar-winning film about a Memphis pimp who strives to become a successful hip-hop MC. It made $22.2 million domestically on a $2.8 million budget.
Paramount Classics
"CB4" (1993) Chris Rock co-wrote and starred in this "mockumentary" about the rise to fame of MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson and Dead Mike, members of the rap group CB4. It grossed $17.9 million at the box office.
Universal
"Beat Street" (1984) The movie centers around an aspiring DJ from the Bronx who tries to expose people to hip-hop. The film grossed $16.6 million at the domestic box office.
Orion Pictures
"Krush Groove" (1985) The drama is based on the early days of Def Jam and follows Russell Walker as he manages up-and-coming acts, which included Run-D.M.C. It starred the real members of Run-D.M.C. and and the Fat Boys. It grossed about $11 million at the box office on a $3 million budget.
Warner Bros.
1 of 11
In honor of the N.W.A biopic’s record opening, TheWrap looks at 9 other films about hip-hop that broke out on the big screen