From the Lil’ Wayne documentary to a film about slain Run-DMC pioneer Jam Master Jay, it seems like we hear about a new hip hop movie roughly once a week. Now, with the GZA’s new Wu-Tang documentary in the works — you can watch the trailer here — we at Flavorwire thought it’d be a good time to look back over some other essential hip hop films. Here are our picks for ten of the best, spanning nearly three decades.
Wild Style (1982)
Wild Style and 1983’s Style Wars marked the film debut of the culture that had emerged during the 1970s in the Bronx and Harlem. Focusing largely on the graffiti scene in New York, Wild Style nevertheless incorporated enough of the hip hop culture that evolved in parallel with that scene to justify its claim to being the first hip hop film. Nearly 30 years on, it makes for fascinating viewing. It’s made in a true punk, DIY spirit, decidedly rough around the edges but full of passion for its subject matter, and walks a strange line between documentary and fiction – many of the protagonists essentially play themselves, and the plotting is kinda loose. It’s hard to overstate how important this film was in taking hip hop culture to the world.
Comments (12)
How did Style Wars not make the cut?!
Hey @ReqB, it gets a mention in the first post…
And let’s not forget Rick Rubin’s role in this film. In 2007, Rubin was listed among Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.
Krush Groove that is…
“And let’s not forget Rick Rubin’s role in this film. In 2007, Rubin was listed among Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.”
yeah i don’t think KD3′s Lil Wayne documentary is very good from a film making standpoint, just look at the opening sequence… Not sure how The Show and Rhyme & Reason didn’t make it here.. they did really well at the box office.
On a side note British filmmaker Dick Fontaine’s BBC documentary on hip hop in the early 80 ies is excellent
Total fail. How could you not include Biggie & Tupac: The Story Behind the Murder of Rap’s Biggest Superstar?? wow, what a fumble..
No Juice? Fail.
Also sad you failed to mention 1993′s “Who’s The Man?” – The soundtrack is AWESOME, even if the movie kinda sucks.
@flavorwireflav – YES! JUICE! That’s what I was going to say… one of the best hip-hop soundtracks of all time.
Style Wars, Graffiti Rock, Downtown 81, History of Hip-Hop… C’mon do your research people.
I am surprised Kid n’ Play didn’t make it! Now that is a classic….
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