Straight Outta L.A. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Straight Outta L.A. |
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| Directed by | Ice Cube |
| Produced by | Arunima Dhar Matt Alvarez Keith Clinkscales John Dahl Joan Lynch Jamie Patricof Jon Weinbach |
| Written by | Jon Weinbach |
| Starring | Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Al Davis, Marcus Allen, Howie Long, |
| Editing by | Dan Marks |
| Distributed by | ESPN Films |
| Release date(s) | April 23, 2010 (Tribeca) May 11, 2010 |
| Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Straight Outta L.A. is a 2010 documentary film directed by Ice Cube. It is part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. The film explores the time the NFL team Raiders spent in Los Angeles. This was from 1982 to 1994. It also shows how the team's presence connected with the local hip hop music scene. During this time, hip hop changed from party songs to a style called gangsta rap. The group N.W.A led this change and used symbols from the Raiders. The film first showed at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. It was later shown on ESPN on May 11, 2010.
Contents
What is Straight Outta L.A. About?
This documentary tells the story of the Raiders football team. It focuses on their years in Los Angeles. It also explains how their move to L.A. connected with the rise of a new style of hip hop music. This new music was made popular by the group N.W.A.
How Did the Raiders Move to Los Angeles?
In 1982, the NFL tried to stop the Raiders from moving. The team wanted to move from Oakland to Los Angeles. The Raiders and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum then filed a lawsuit. After some legal steps, a jury allowed the Raiders to move to Los Angeles.
How Did Music and Football Connect?
At the same time the Raiders moved, areas like South Central Los Angeles and Compton were facing challenges. By 1987, some people felt that Los Angeles hip hop music, which was mostly about dancing and parties, didn't reflect their lives anymore.
The group Niggaz with Attitude (N.W.A) started making what they called "reality rap." This music talked about real life in their neighborhoods. When N.W.A became famous in 1988, they wanted a look that showed where they came from. They often wore black clothes and ball caps. Black is one of the Raiders' main colors. By wearing Raiders gear, N.W.A helped make the team's brand even more popular.
Ice Cube, who grew up in South Central and was a Raiders fan, believes this connection is very important. He says it helps us understand how the Raiders team became part of Los Angeles culture.
Who is Interviewed in the Film?
The documentary features interviews with many people. These include Ice Cube, who was a founding member of N.W.A. Other music artists are also interviewed. The film also talks to Al Davis, who owned the Raiders. You will also hear from other people who worked for the Raiders. Famous Raiders players like Howie Long and Marcus Allen share their stories too.
Music in the Documentary
Ice Cube also performs the main song for the documentary. It is called Raider Nation. This song includes parts of The Autumn Wind, which is a famous poem about the Raiders.
