Essay Introduction

To what extent does 'Straight Outta Compton' represent black people negatively and does it encourage violence?

This critical investigation will focus deeply on the representations and influence of black people in film, news and television in general. This essay will also look further into the cause and root of black stereotypes and how they have developed or changed over time. Straight Outta’ Compton (SOC) is the main text I will be referring to during the course of this investigation. SOC is a 2015 American biographical drama film based on one of the most influential and memorable hip-hop groups of all time (N.W.A). The film was released on August 14, 2015, and has been a major success grossing over $200million worldwide. “You can’t come down here and harass my clients because they’re black!” This is a quote by Jerry Heller in the film which sums up the message that N.W.A attempts to get across about police brutality through their aggressive music. The quote is very direct and seems to conclude life in the 1980’s for an African American man in terms of getting harassed and interrogated by the police simply because of their skin colour. On August 27, 2015, Straight Outta Compton became the highest grossing music biopic of all-time in the United States with $120.9 million; the success of SOC instantly challenges the stereotype and supports the fact that black males are capable of success.