Part 2/7:
Released in 1995, "Friday" was written by Ice Cube and DJ P, and its success can be attributed to the strong collaborative vision they shared. Ice Cube had a significant role in the film’s formation, even handpicking the director, F. Gary Gray. Gray, known for crafting iconic hip-hop music videos, previously worked with Ice Cube on the clip for "It Was a Good Day," a project that foreshadowed their successful partnership in film. The decision to shoot the film in Gray's childhood neighborhood in South Los Angeles lent an authentic feel to the story, including flashback scenes filmed in front of Gray's own childhood home.