Rapper Ice Cube's son O'Shea Jackson has been cast to play his famous father in the upcoming N.W.A. biopic, "Straight Outta Compton."
According to TheWrap, Ice Cube and director F. Gary Gray have cast Jackson to play his rapper father in the movie that depicts the journey of hip-hop group N.W.A. The film will tell the story of the group's rise to fame in the late 80's through their breakup in 1991.
The members of the hip-hop group included Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella. Prince left the group shortly after MC Ren joined. The film is named after the rappers' 1988 debut album.
Ice Cube will co-produce the film, along with Dr. Dre and deceased rapper Eazy-E's widow, Tomica Woods-Wright. Gray is directing from a script by Jonathan Herman.
The "Ride Along" actor described the script as a "dramatic story that encompasses hip-hop, dope-dealing, Reaganomics, AIDS, LAPD, rap feuds, FBI, PMRC, the Parental Advisory stickers on the records... all of it."
According to TheWrap, Ice Cube had to convince studio executives that his son was suitable for the role, despite his lack of acting experience. In February, Ice Cube told The Guardian that he would like to see his son play him in the film.
"I've been trying to get that pushed along," the rapper said. "Just wanna make sure that he's the best man for the job."
Universal Studios executives have yet to confirm Jackson's casting.
The hip hop group sold 10 million records, with songs like "F**k tha Police" and other songs featuring explicit lyrics, which caused a nationwide controversy. N.W.A.'s music was banned from many mainstream radio stations in the U.S.
