State Senator Art Haywood made the following comments regarding N.W.A., a hip hop group that was recently featured in the box office hit Straight Outta Compton:
PHILADELPHIA, August 21, 2015: “Viewers of Straight Outta Compton may be unaware of the disturbing reality of the N.W.A. rappers’ abusive actions and language toward women. Dr. Dre was convicted of brutally beating a journalist on the floor of a restroom, and later defended the action by claiming ‘I just threw her through a door.’ His ex-fiancée recounts domestic violence that left her with black eyes. Additionally, a female rapper signed to an N.W.A. label claims to have been punched in the face – twice – by Dr. Dre at the 1990 Grammy Awards.
The behavior and language of Dr. Dre and the other members of N.W.A. portrayed in Straight Outta Compton should be condemned. They participated in the promotion and perpetuation of domestic abuse and degradation of women. Through the abusive behavior of Dr. Dre and the violent lyrics of the group as a whole, N.W.A. displayed a shameful disregard for the dignity of all women and girls. Just this month in Rolling Stone, Ice Cube justified N.W.A.’s degrading lyrics by stating ‘Don’t be jumping to the defense of these despicable females.’ While Dr. Dre’s recent apology is important, this kind of attitude and behavior must be harshly rejected by our society.”
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Contact: Melissa Ostroff
215-242-8171
mostroff@pasenate.com