The film, directed by F. Gary Gray—who's directed everything from Friday and Set It Off to music videos for Ice Cube and Cypress Hill—chronicles the rise of the influential Compton group that included Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, MC Ren, and Easy-E—referenced by many as the template for gangster rap. And their songs have never been more relevant.
Ice Cube and Dr. Dre offer an intro to Compton in the trailer, accompanied by Kendrick Lamar. Cube relates that N.W.A., for all its controversies, was "non-violent protest."
The film comes out Aug. 14.Screengrab via Universal Pictures/YouTube