“Something nobody in the rap world thought was possible” is about to become a reality.
According to a feature in Hollywood Reporter, N.W.A — the West Coast hip-hop group who popularized gangsta rap in the late 1980s — will be reuniting for a tour in support of the biopic Straight Outta Compton. This film, which is due out August 15, takes its name from the 1988 debut album by the crew who forever put the Los Angeles County-based city on the map and struck fear in the hearts of suburban parents everywhere.
While nothing has been set in stone yet, there’s still great reason to get excited. Joining Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella on this potential European (for now) tour would be none other than a rapper who’s also been known for courting controversy: Detroit’s Eminem, “sitting in as an honorary member.”
Universal Pictures chief Donna Langley expresses caution, stating that “We don’t have anything settled yet with everyone’s schedules… But we think it can create a lot of buzz.” Nevertheless, last month three of the members of N.W.A (Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella) reunited for a performance at the BET Experience. Tour or no tour, Eminem — who recently contributed music to the film Southpaw — will be featured on the soundtrack for Straight Outta Compton, alongside the likes of Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar.
UPDATE: A rep for Dr. Dre and Emimen has told Rolling Stone the two artists have “no plans to tour together either solo or with N.W.A.”
Watch the trailer for Straight Outta Compton below: