John Singleton (b. 1968) rocketed from obscurity to the top ranks of Hollywood directors in 1991, when he released his debut film Boyz N the Hood. The poignant coming-of-age story, set in the streets of south central Los Angeles, where Singleton grew up amid gang violence and hip-hop music, earned him Oscar nominations for best original screenplay and best directing. Only twenty-three at the time, he was hailed as a wunderkind and compared to the young Orson Welles. Some have credited him with the mainstreaming of hip-hop music and style in cinema.

John Singleton:...