PHOTOS: Inside the ‘Straight Outta Compton’ movie casting call

Written by Avishay Artsy Apr. 02, 2014 Business & Economy

It’s been more than 25 years now since the groundbreaking rap group NWA released the controversial album “Straight Outta Compton.”

The record is widely credited as launching the gangsta rap genre. Now, two of the group’s members, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, are producing a film about the band’s rise to fame.

KCRW’s Avishay Artsy went to an open casting call for the film “Straight Outta Compton” in South LA, where the band has its roots.

NWA-5 — Aspiring actors waited for hours to audition for roles in the film “Straight Outta Compton” at the Rosecrans Recreation Center in Gardena, Calif. on March 9, 2014. Photos by Jose Lopez. (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

Eazy-E look a like, Dante "Dee Dimes" Balor, waits for his chance to audition for the N.W.A. biopic. — Eazy-E look-alike, Dante “Dee Dimes” Balor, waits for his chance to audition for the N.W.A. biopic. (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

Keiko Smalls, 22, auditions for the role of Ice Cube. (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

Omari Burrell (left), 27, an aspiring actor and hip hop artist rehearses his lines for the role of Ice Cube as he awaits to audition. (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

The waiting line for a second table read with the "Straight Outta Compton" casting crew. — The waiting line for a second table read with the “Straight Outta Compton” casting crew. (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

A young Eazy-E look alike laughs as the interviewer playfully tells him that he can't smile if he wants to fit the role. — A young Eazy-E look-alike laughs as the interviewer playfully tells him that he can’t smile if he wants to fit the role. (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

Tristen J. Winger, 27, of South L.A. and Jordan McCovey, 22, of Victorville rehearse their lines. — Tristen J. Winger (left), 27, of South L.A. and Jordan McCovey, 22, of Victorville rehearse their lines. (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

Cairo Brewer, 39, awaits his opportunity to audition for the role of Dr. Dre. Brewer sets himself apart from the rest of his competition in that he traveled from Camden, New Jersey to seriously be considered for this role. — Cairo Brewer (left), 39, awaits his opportunity to audition for the role of Dr. Dre. Brewer sets himself apart from the rest of his competition in that he traveled from Camden, New Jersey to seriously be considered for this role. (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)