'Straight Outta Compton' star O'Shea Jackson on the film's Oscar potential

'The most beautiful part about that, to me at least, is we didn't have to have shackles on our feet,' said Jackson during VH1 Big In 2015 With Entertainment Weekly

By

Christopher Rosen

Published on November 30, 2015 05:30PM EST

Straight Outta Compton was one of the summer's biggest hits, and could wind up scoring an Oscar nomination for Best Picture come January. The surprising success of the film is not lost on its star, O'Shea Jackson Jr.

"We are part of a movie that has the potential to be nominated for an Academy Award," said Jackson, who represented the film's cast during the VH1 Big in 2015 With Entertainment Weekly event. "The most beautiful part about that, to me at least, is we didn't have to have shackles on our feet. Those films are great. Those films are powerful. Those films need to be seen, but they're not the only ones that need recognition. Straight Outta Compton speaks to triumph."

Jackson played his father, Ice Cube, in Straight Outta Compton, and it was Cube who honored his son at the Big in 2015 event.

"Every father hopes that his kid sees and understands where they come from. Straight Outta Compton did that for my family," he said.

Watch a preview of VH1 Big in 2015 With Entertainment Weekly below, and tune in on Dec. 7 at 9/8c on VH1 to see the broadcast.