According to the RIAA, N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton album was certified triple platinum back in November. The group’s debut has sold more than three million units since its 1988 release.
The LP earned the California-based group nationwide attention with help from bold tracks like “F*ck the Police” and its title track.
In August, a biopic based on Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella’s rise to fame made an impressive box office debut. The film, which also centers on themes of racial tension, poverty and police brutality, opened to $56.1 million its first weekend.
Last month, it was revealed that the unrated director’s cut of the Straight Outta Compton film would be released to own in January. The new version of the film will include deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes look at the group’s infamous Detroit performance, as well as commentary from director F. Gary Gray. Compton will be released on digital HD on Jan. 5, 2016. The Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand versions of the film are scheduled to be released January 19.
The re-release of Compton will also be accompanied by two music projects: Straight Outta Compton: The Soundtrack and Straight Outta Compton: Original Motion Picture Score. The former will feature remastered versions of N.W.A songs “Express Yourself” and “Quiet On Tha Set,” while the latter will include music composed and conducted by Joseph Trapanese. Both projects are set to be released on Jan. 8 with Straight Outta Compton: The Soundtrack also being pressed as a 2-LP vinyl set.
Following the release of the Compton film, N.W.A.’s debut album saw a resurgence in sales, appearing as high as No. 4 on Billboard's Top 200 chart in August.
