Ice Cube Thinks Including "One Random Slave" Would've Scored Straight Outta Compton a Best Picture Nomination

Many felt the N.W.A. biopic was snubbed at this year's Oscars

By Francesca Bacardi Jan 21, 2016 8:49 PMTags
Straight Outta ComptonUniversal Pictures

The #OscarsSoWhite controversy continues to plague The Academy, as more and more celebrities continue to speak out against the 2016 Oscars nominations and their lack of diversity.

Many believed Straight Outta Compton should've scored a Best Picture nomination, but it only managed to receive acknowledgement for its writing in the Best Original Screenplay category. The biopic centered on rap group N.W.A., which included rapper-turned-comedy star Ice Cube. He appeared on Power 105.1's The Angie Martinez Show where he revealed what he thinks they should've done to secure a nomination.

"I think we deserve Best Picture, especially by them leaving two [movies] out. They usually pick 10 movies. They only picked eight this year…I do what I'm supposed to do to promote the project. I ain't gonna kiss no ass for nothing, so maybe that is the problem," he told host Angie Martinez

"Or maybe we should've put a slave in Straight Outta Compton," he said. "I think that's where we messed up. That's where we messed up. Just one random slave for the Academy members to recognize us as a real, black movie."

He added, "It is what it is. But that does not define us."

But he isn't too worried about the validation—or the lack there of—from The Academy, as Straight Outta Compton went on to earn more than $200 million worldwide at the box office.

"It's the hardcore fans who let you know if you got it right," he explained. "When they say, 'Man it took me back to '87.' That's what it's all about. It's all about the core fans and making sure they're satisfied."

Stars such as Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, George Clooney, Mark Ruffalo and many, many more have spoken out about the white-only nominations, with a couple of celebrities choosing to skip the festivities altogether.