Roommates, when it comes to classic “hood” films, few are as celebrated and beloved as “Boyz N The Hood,” which was released in movie theaters 30 years ago today! “Boyz N The Hood” launched the movie careers of stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long and featured seasoned actors Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne, it was also the debut film from first-time director John Singleton.
Not only was it a success at the box-office, “Boyz N The Hood” also made history at the 1992 Academy Awards when John Singleton became the youngest and the first Black person to ever be nominated for Best Director, the film also received a nomination for Best Screenplay.
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Back in 2017, just two years before his untimely death after suffering a fatal stroke, John Singleton discussed “Boyz N The Hood’s” legacy and specifically how it launched the Hollywood career of Ice Cube.
“It’s a pleasant surprise. I mean to see that people have had long careers and they’ve gone on to do other things. Ice Cube has transitioned from being an actor-producer to almost mini mogul — making a lot of things happen in different ways in film and television. I can’t take credit for any of that stuff — those of really talented people. All they really needed was an opening in the business and they just ran with it.” Singleton said.
“Boyz N The Hood” would go on to heavily influence dozens of other films throughout the last 30 years and ushered in the “hood movie” popularity that dominated much of the 1990s. Although three decades have passed, sadly many of the struggles seen in the film, still plague the Black community to this day.
Happy Anniversary to a true classic!
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