EXCLUSIVE: 'I've been harassed': Ice Cube's son and Straight Outta Compton star O'Shea Jackson Jr opens up on being 'a young black male dealing with the law'
He's an up and coming Hollywood star with one box office smash movie already under his belt.
But Straight Outta Compton's O'Shea Jackson Jr, son of legendary N.W.A. hip hop artist Ice Cube, opened up to Daily Mail Australia on Friday about being a victim of police racial profiling.
The 24-year-old actor, who plays his father in the hit film that chronicles the history of rap group N.W.A and shows scenes of gang violence and police harassment, said he has 'definitely' experienced racism, particularly when with his younger brother Darrel, 22.
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'I've been harassed': Straight Outta Compton's O'Shea Jackson Jr, son of legendary N.W.A. hip hop artist Ice Cube, opened up to Daily Mail Australia on Friday about being a victim of police racial profiling
First-hand: The 24-year-old actor, who plays his father in the hit film that chronicles the history of rap group N.W.A and shows scenes of gang violence and police harassment, said he has 'definitely' experienced racism
'We've been harassed and profiled but then when they read "Jackson Jr" on my ID they shape up a little bit and then you can lawyer up a little bit on them and they tend to let you go,' he explained.
'It's always extremities when you are a young black male dealing with law enforcement.'
Ice Cube, who worked as a producer on the film alongside former group member Dr Dre, also opened up about his own experiences with racial profiling and police brutality to DMA, and said despite things getting better for him thanks to his superstar status, it hasn't gone away.
'We've been harassed and profiled': Jackson Jr told Daily Mail Australia and explained it particularly happens when he is with his younger brother
'When you have money they treat you a lot different,' the 46-year-old F*** Tha Police singer explained.
'But that being said that doesn't mean I can't be like, "I'm fine".
'I think when you are in a position like this you need to be able to speak for people who are not in this position, who can't speak to the world. I think it's my duty in the world to speak up.'
It hasn't gone away: Ice Cube, who worked as a producer on the film alongside former group member Dr Dre, also opened up about his own experiences with racial profiling and police brutality to DMA
Both father and son, who were speaking together on the film's promotional tour in Sydney, added that they are not anti-law enforcement but believe there are still issues in the system including abuse, excessive force and harassment. He was also speaking after the deaths of Michael Brown and Sandra Bland.
'We love good police. We love good police that protect us and treat us like citizens, the other we could do without,' Ice Cube explained.
'The best thing we can do right now is of course try to prosecute any officers that step over the line but now it's all about public shame.
'We love good police': Both father and son, who were speaking together on the film's promotional tour in Sydney, added that they are not anti-law enforcement
'It's all about recording it and putting it up on the internet, hopefully we can get the next officer to think twice before he violates somebody's rights or life.'
Straight Outta Compton is based on the group N.W.A. that included D.J. Yella, M.C. Ren, Eazy-E, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. They are famous for penning the protest track F*** Tha Police, which lyrics express approval of violence against police.
The FBI sent the group a warning letter in 1989 about the lyrics but they refused to be censored. The song is still a hit to this day.
Straight Outta Compton is in cinemas now.
The new faces of the movie: Straight Outta Compton is in cinemas now
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