Michael B. Jordan turned down the role of Dr. Dre in Straight Outta Compton

Few hip hop biopics have flourished as much as Straight Outta Compton. Based upon the life and times of N.W.A., the film raked in over $200-million at the box office and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

What many people don’t know about Straight Outta Compton is that Creed star Michael B. Jordan was originally supposed to play Dr. Dre.

Unfortunately, the actor was contractually obligated to the less-than-fantasic Fantastic Four movie, forcing him to turn down the role of the rapper who made “Fuck Tha Police” famous. The part ended up being played by Corey Hawkins, best known for being part of the cast of The Walking Dead.

Other casting prospects who did not make the film include Lil Eazy-E, who would have played his father, as well as Compton-born YG, who auditioned for the role of MC Ren.

Earlier this month, Dr. Dre released six new songs for the new Grand Theft Auto online expansion, The Contact. You can listen to the tracks below.

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