N.W.A was commemorated on screen earlier this year with the release of their globally successful biopic, Straight Outta Compton. To add the cherry on top to a sweet year, the famed and pivotal rap group are being memorialized in a grand way.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced that they’re inducting the Cali game changers at next year’s ceremony. This was N.W.A’s fourth time being nominated, and now they can finally join the likes of the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and Run-D.M.C. The event will premiere on HBO in the spring following the ceremony which will take place on Apr. 8 at the Barclays Center.
Ice Cube took to Twitter to share his gratitude on the momentous news by writing, “Thank you to all the people hitting me up about the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. I celebrate this win with U. Pop one or smoke one for ya boy.”
Thank you to all the people hitting me up about the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. I celebrate this win with U. Pop one or smoke one for ya boy.
— Ice Cube (@icecube) December 17, 2015
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Dr. Dre also spoke on his excitement to see the group’s influence reach a coveted plateau of recognition. “I never thought the type of music we were making would receive such a high accolade,” he said. “I have always done what I love to do, so to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is unreal. I am humbled to be included in such an amazing group of great artists.”
The F. Gary Gray-directed movie received critical-acclaim across the board, even being named an early contender for a few Oscar nods. The motion picture was also nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Cast at the 2016 SAG Awards. In an interview with People, Gray spoke about the rigorous process to find that perfect ensemble.
“Not to sound cliché but we worked really, really hard to get this on the screen,” he said. “It took us years to find this cast and we put them through a lot to deliver those performances and they delivered. So to be acknowledged and amongst a lot of great artists and a lot of great films, we honestly didn’t expect it.”