Marlon Yates, Jr. – Straight Outta Compton

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I shot a straight to TV movie with Keshia Pulliam. I worked on it for four days and it is called A Will to Love. Other than that, I’ve just been auditioning and looking for another opportunity.

Q) You play one of the iconic members of NWA. Tell us about getting to portray him and how you prepared for the role.

A) Playing The D.O.C. was very interesting because at some point he loses his voice. So, I had to talk with a slight rasp. Dr. Dre and I had a personal conversation about how he sounded a the time and I had the opportunity to meet The D.O.C. when he would come on set. The D.O.C. wouldn’t be there every day, but Dr. Dre would be and we would talk when they came on set about some of the dangers he watched and how he found it hilarious to see some of the things. To prepare for the role, I would just sit and listen to NWA’s music and listen to The D.O.C.’s music to get into the 90’s hip-hop mood.

Q) Were you a fan of their music and the group before taking on the role?

A) I’m a little too young to be familiar with their music. I couldn’t recite a song for you, but I knew who Ice Cube and Dr. Dre were. Being a part of the film and being able to tell the NWA story through my personal research, I became a fan. Even afterwards, I would add the NWA themed station to my Pandora radio.

Q) What was your audition like for the film?

A) Originally, I went out for the role of Dr. Dre and I talked to the director the next day and he said, “You had a great read, but I think you might be a little too handsome for the Dre role.” I got a call, maybe two months later, for The D.O.C. I had no idea who he was and I had to go in and do a read with the guys playing Eazy-E and Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. As soon as I left the casting director said, “We have seen a lot of people for The D.O.C., but honestly I think you might have just gotten it with that read right now.” I got a text from the director,  maybe three weeks later, saying congratulations, but it wasn’t solidified yet. So, I was still anxious and waiting for the contract to be sent over. Then, I talked to the director maybe a week afterwards and he said they were just waiting for the studio to okay this. He said, “For now, just don’t touch your hair.” So, I was walking around with crazy hair and full facial hair.

Q) What was it like filming on set getting to work with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube?

A) Honestly, it was an amazing experience. The fact that I could walk up to these guys and have a full conversation about NWA…Ice Cube and I had a whole conversation about the casting process. He said they were trying to find people from all walks of life to come together and create this brotherhood and bond that they had back in the day. He would tell me personal stories about how they all came up and how far they got with each other. He played football growing up and didn’t want to go to school because he wanted to rap. Talking to Dre and seeing these guys knowing they come from similar circumstances as to what I came from…They don’t have to say much because I know their story, but just seeing where they came from and where they are today was inspiring and motivational every day I came to set. It made me think I could push this as far as I want just as long as I stay focused.

Q) What kind of advice did the director give you about your portrayal?

A) Working with F. Gary Gray was great! It was my first major film. He is very artist friendly. He’ll ask your personal opinion on a scene and how you feel about it. He’ll ask your motivation for the scene and we’d all have a small pep talk before a scene. He would tell us, “This is a party scene, but it’s not just a party. You have to look at it more than just having a party and having a blast. Look at the big picture as to what is going to happen and what is about to happen. Don’t just make every scene fun.” When we shot the LA riots scene, he pulled each of the actors to the side to talk about our personal motivation for our scene. He said, “You aren’t just looking at the aftermath of the LA riots. I want you guys to realize this is happening today with Charleston and everywhere with police brutality.” He said, “This is still going on today. The LA riots happened thirty years ago and the fact is that is still happening today.” When the movie comes out, you can see history pretty much repeats himself. Gary was a great director and let us be ourselves. If he didn’t think a scene was working he would approach us and say, “Let’s just see it this way. If it works, good.” He gave us a take where we could be free in a scene. We would stick to the script, but we could improvise if we thought we had something to say. I thought that was great because every actor would love to feel free and not have to stick to the words. I thought that was a great opportunity.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant feedback you will receive when the movie is released?

A) I’m actually terrified, to be honest with you. I think as soon as the movie comes out I’m going to go on a hiatus. As of now, I promote. Where I come from, I like to inspire and show people you can do anything. No matter where you come from, if you put your mind to it then it is possible. I don’t just show pictures from being on set to be flossy. It’s to show the youth that I come from the same situation as they do. So, if you want to be an actor or an athlete just go for it. Go all in! When the movie comes out, I might shutdown Twitter, Instagram and Facebook because I don’t want any backlash!

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure to share with fans about the film?

A) I just want the fans to go check out the film on August 14th! I hope you enjoy it! Hopefully, we deliver properly and it becomes a West Coast classic!