Ice Cube has confirmed he will step behind the camera to direct the story of his legendary rap group N.W.A. in a new biopic.

The hip-hop star shot to fame in the late 1980s as part of the group from Compton, California, drawing attention with controversial tracks including Gangsta Gangsta and F**k tha Police.

He quit the band in 1989 after a dispute over royalties, and the remaining N.W.A. members, including Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, MC Ren and DJ Yella, parted ways in 1991.

But now Ice Cube is bringing their West Coast legacy to cinemas - and he's recruited former bandmate Dr. Dre to produce the project.

He tells AllHipHop.com, "I think (a movie is) the ultimate... tribute (to) the group and what the group meant to the world."

Ice Cube made his directorial debut with 1998's The Players Club, before going on to write hit comedy Friday in 1995.