Straight Outta Compton

Straight Outta Compton – Music from the motion picture is not only the soundtrack to the 2015 biopic about NWA; one of the most notorious hip-hop groups of all time but it is also a fantastic compilation of their greatest hits, including highlights from some of the groups stand out members.

The album also contains all the funk and soul classics that you remember from the film such as Everybody Loves The Sunshine by Roy Ayers and (Not Just) Knee Deep by Funkadelic.

The track list of the album mostly follows the order in which the tracks are played throughout the film. Using classic 70s funk bangers to break up the constant stream of hardcore hip-hop.

While it has almost all of the songs you remember from the film it is missing a few memorable songs such as C.R.E.A.M by Wu-Tang Clan and Hail Mary by Tupac.

Even without those key tracks the album does a great job of recreating the sound and feel of the film. Making you feel as if you have stepped into a time machine taking you back to the golden age of hip-hop where the beats were funky and the lyrics were violent and menacing.

The 70s funk manages to keep the album from sounding too similar and also helps you to understand the influences the artists had when creating the music.

Over all if you're a fan of NWA or 90s hip-hop in general then you will probably enjoy this album whether you've seen the film or not.

The soundtrack is due out on the 8th January but if you're feeling extra old school you could wait for the 2-LP vinyl set to drop on the 22nd January. The vinyl will also come with Straight Outta Compton: Original Motion Picture Score composed and and conducted for the film by Joseph Trapanese.

Words Dave Burnham