ICE Cube has a message for indigenous Australians battling authority and poverty.

Ice Cube and his son O’Shea Jackson Jr. talk to Sydney Confidential’s Jonathan Moran about the life and times behind NWA and the new hit movie ‘Straight Outta Compton.’

ICE Cube has a message for indigenous Australians battling authority and poverty.

The American rapper is in Sydney for the premiere of Straight Outta Compton, which documents the rise and controversies of NWA (Niggaz Wit Attitudes) members including Cube, Eazy-E, Dr Dre, DJ Yella, the DOC and MC Ren.

“We are still dealing with authorities who feel like black lives are expendable and are there to be harassed and there as sport, so to speak, in some ways,” he said.

“We have to lose that mentality and we have to always put a spotlight on it to hold these officers accountable in a court of law and it is starting to happen. It has been about 400 years for us but hopefully we will get it right sooner or later.”

Straight Outta Compton has been a huge success, taking the top spot US box office spot for the third week running, taking $18.4 million.

Cube’s son O’Shea Jackson Jr plays the world famous muso and actor on the big screen. It’s named after the group’s 1988 debut album, Straight Outta Compton and features the breakout anti-establishment track, F … Tha Police, that became an anthem against racism and abuse of power at the time.

Asked specifically about Australia in light of the Adam Goodes racism debate, he said: “I feel like a nation should never relegate anybody to the bottom and a nation should never stand on top of them and that’s what’s happening.”

His advice for indigenous Australians was clear: “Keep your head up, do something creative, to me you are never poor when you are doing something creative.

“Believe in yourself.” Cube and son O’Shea Jackson Jr. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“That is my thing. Stay motivated, believe in yourself and don’t let the world define who you are. You have got to define who you are yourself.”

Cube produced the film, directed by F Gary Gray, and although he’s travelling the world promoting the movie, it’s too early to celebrate.

“We haven’t really been able to take a victory lap and that’s fine because we want to get it out to the world,” Cube said.

“If you’re not into rap you are in to brotherhood, you’re in to friendship, you’re into a rags to riches story, David v Goliath, freedom of speech, it is all of those things we are trying to champion in this movie.”

For the record, what friction may have existed between some of the members is in the past: “It is all love. We get together whenever we can and we’re going to hopefully do more music.”