bringin wex wednesday's back to the good ol boom bap... today we're going to talk about my favorite hip hop influenced feature films (does the use of "feature films" rule out straight to dvd movies starring Master P, DMX, etc? if so - feature films it is).
as a side note, Liz from the Knitting Factory actually inspired this edition of WW's... because she asked me at soundcheck what made me want to deejay... and the answer was my #1 pick:
1. Juice. hate on 2pac all you want (the rapper), he delivered the goods in this one. but the real highlight of the movie to me was the deejay shit. from his mom waking him up by dragging the needle over the record, to the stealing the records in the newspaper, to the battle - this made me buy turntables, straight up. also, dope soundtrack. uptown anthem, so you wanna be a gangster, know the ledge, etc.
2. Boyz in the Hood. hate on Ice Cube (the actor & rapper after '96) all you want, he delivered the goods in this one. haha. again, great soundtrack. actually, the highlight to the music in this one for me was the instrumental piece by stanley clarke. you know the scene, they're driving around looking for revenge in the impala - it's the song that plays. fishburne killed it too.
3. New Jack City. not exactly what you'd call a timeless flick, but at the time, it was the shit. pookie! nino brown was a bad bad man too.
4. Wild Style. i ain't gonna lie - i just watched Wild Style for the first time a couple years ago. on dvd nonetheless. which some how just felt wrong. but anyway - a great time capsule into the early days of hip hop. you got to see all of the greats in action: caz, rocksteady, cowboy, grandmaster flash, fab 5 freddy, etc. also, the acting! the acting was amazing!! wink wink.
5. Friday. back to the west coast. had to include this one just for the sake of diversity. was this hip hop's first intentionally truly funny movie?? so many quoteables. and what it made it special was, i dont even smoke weed and it was STILL dope to me. omg pun.
serious honorable mentions to: menace II society, new jersey drive (yes russ, new jersey drive), above the rim, office space (yes, office space), breakin', krush groove, etc.
dj wex.
posted by Hip Hop Karaoke :: NYC at 10:58 AM
37 Comments:
Juice is my favorite movie of all time. This may sound like blasphemy to some, but I only like three 2Pac-related things: Juice, I Get Around and How Do You Want It? I respect the hell out of him, though. The most powerful scene in the movie to me is the one with he and Q by the lockers. Also, the EPMD cameo was cool, and it was the first time I ever thought of "How I Could Just Kill a Man" as a party jam!
I don't know, wex, New Jack City still stands the test of time to me. Sure, some of the acting was kind of corny, but there's some real memorable parts to it. Hey, if anyone out there watches "Martin," check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwkIjSEPAU8
my favorite part of new jack city is when chris rock is supposed to be working as a mole inside the drug pprocessing operation, but he gets high, and asks one of the shirtless female drug packagers "you got milk in those titties?" to this day, just thinking about that scene still cracks me up.
if beatstreet qualifies, then i'd add that flick to the list.
hey. what about hustle & flow and 8 mile?
never saw hustle. 8 mile is def an honorable mention that i forgot.
its real hard to argue with this list, all classics.
But i would definately consider Belly and CB-4 for top five spots.
other honorable mentions: How High (might actually have to smoke to apreciate it), Soul Plane (nas said its the bomb), and Whiteboyz. If you haven't seen whiteboyz, i highly recommend it.
does Ghost Dog count as a hiphop film? if so its high on the honorable mention list. This really should been a top 10.
straight to dvd flicks is a whole nother list; topped by Stop Snitchin' Stop Lyin', and State Property 2.
I love the shoot out at the end of state prop 2 where Beanie Siegel just stops and says "What the fuck is going on here?" and i'm at home like, "i was wondering the same thing myself"
Solid list and great additions with Whiteboyz and CB4. I would have to add Do the Right Thing in my top 5 as a hip hop inspired movie if not for anything else besides the Fight the Power theme track. so many great scenes in that movie... mamamamama Mookie!
Others to consider: House Party (#1 only) and Crooklyn (Masta Ace's performance inspired this one)
Flops to consider: Who's the Man and Tougher Than Leather - does anyone remember that one?
apparently no one on this blog has seen beat street ...
Suit, I remember rollin' up to the theater rockin' my parachute pants and hoodie, pumas with the fat laces dressed up like it was a red carpet premiere for Beat Street! I think I was 10 or so. That comes on VH1 Classic for those that want to check it out.
Our crew was even called the Floormasters!
Okay y'all, I can go on this topic for daaaaaays...
Breakin' is my #1 favorite MOVIE of all-time. Not even hip-hop related. MOVIE, period. My parents let me watch this at a young age and it was one of my first glimpses of anything hip-hop related. My Dad even got fancy and got another VCR and dubbed it for us. Hence me knowing the entire dialogue of the movie by heart. I'm serious.
And yes, Juice was fantastic. Did you know Treach originally auditioned for the part of Bishop? Then Pac came around and blew him out of the water (demoting Treach to one of the miscellaneous cats in Rademes' gang). NO ONE else could play Bishop put 2Pac. So many memorable parts in that movie. Special Ed baggin' Raheem's girl, creepin' thru the party in the "How I Can Just Kill A Man" scene (I love that part) and Old Man Quilles' classic line "I'll shoot ya pee pee off mang."
And by the way, I also watched Friday back when I did not smoke weed. And yes it was funny. But watching it WHILE high...it's a whole new movie. This also applies to Half Baked.
I noticed no mention of Who's The Man? Whenever that's on TV, I watch it.
I turned off Whiteboyz after 45 minutes. Unfunniest parody ever.
Russ earns the first "Banned for Life" badge at HHK.
#1. Disorderlies
wow j. i knew it was gonna happen sooner or later, but i thought it'd be wex to slap me with the ban. My first name must be He-Aint-Shit.
and, you musta missed the jail scene in whiteboyz. its absolutely hilarious.
Snoop Dogg: "what up flip dog? what you doin in here, you kill somebody?"
Flip: "Oh hell yeah, i killed everbody."
Stop Snitchin' Stop Lyin' is the best movie ever.
POLEMIC CITY, BITCHES!!
I'm with J. New.. I couldn't sit through Whiteboyz.. It was such an unappealing mess between trying to be a parody, and trying to make a point, that it did neither.
I watched it anyway cause the kid from Chris Cross was in it (if you know what I'm talking about, we're down for life).
Didn't love, but I really liked Hustle and Flow. Terrence killed it (and I didn't he had a shot of winning me over in that role).
I'm with Joe on House Party.. I love that flick.. Kid spells backward describes ya best.. But listen man.. I'm not gonna lie.. I loved 2 and 3 too.. 3 is EXTREMELY underrated..Bernie Mac MURDERS that movie. "you talked about my mamma.. Now I gotta cut ya.. That's the rules!".. hahahaha
Who's The Man.. I remember everyone cut school the day that came out to see it.. It had every rapper ever in it.. Even had Lil Daddy Shane in the barber's chair!("I want my name on the back")..
Good work peeping Special Ed in Juice Dee.. It's a very understated cameo, cause it's not even really a close-up.. Nothing will top EPMD's "oh shit not again" scene...
New Jack City is still classic to me, but it's such comedy at this point when I watch.
This is getting into "Stretch" territory, but I was a huge fan of Slam.. Saul Williams scene in the courtyard (you know the one) was phenomental..
If I think of more I'll holler.
agreed that whiteboyz was terrible. but do you, thurman, opinions are like assholes.
You're a beautiful human being, wex, don't let anybody tell you different
Fear Of A Black Hat? It's no CB4, but it has its moments. Nothing can compare to Charlie Murphy in CB4 riding on the exercise bike chanting "I'm gonna get some pussy! I'm gonna get some pussy!"
Also, Who's The Man? is really just enjoyable to play the how-many-rappers-can-you-spot game. And for the dubious acting of Guru. I think we should invent a drinking game for Who's The Man? now that I think of it.
something that really gets me chuckling when i read this blog is the mix of slang, curses and other esplicit content with well crafted grammar and sophisticated vocab. it's kind of like a pulitzer prize winner writing articles in hustler at times.
free russ buss.
oh, and van, thanks for having my back on beat street.
I dunno what I like better. Van sticking up for Beat Street or him admitting that he went to the premiere at the age of 10 years old in full b-boy gear. You hangin' around us youngins sir? Ur officially OG Bobby Johnson up in this blog, sir.
i def. second belly.
The sad thing about Whiteboyz was that Danny Hoch (writer/star) is a fucking genius. If you ever get a chance to see his live show where he does monologues in different character voices, do. "Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop" is available on DVD. Check that for sure.
Glad you mentioned "Slam", Digs. Not really about rap, but definitely ensconsed in hip-hop, and a fantastic soundtrack (Noreaga's joint in particular.) Amazing movie. "I sling amethyst rocks..."
Also Wex, Office Space was a great choice.
How about Deep Cover?
i love office space, but frankly, i don't see how it qualifies for this list. other than the early car scene, i can't recall even the remotest connection to anything hip hop. if we are going to allow this flick on the list then we might as well open the flood gates. let's add old school based on the house party snoop appearance. let's include any given sunday based on the mystikal tracks. and so on and so forth ...
I hear ya, Suit. If we start running out of movies, though, how about this old-school nugget (the title alone screams hip-hop): Rappin'!
This movie actually really sucks. Avoid at all costs.
I hear ya, Suit. If we start running out of movies, though, how about this old-school nugget (the title alone screams hip-hop): Rappin'!
This movie actually really sucks. Avoid at all costs.
Sorry my comment ended up there twice. You youngsters and darnfangled computers!
if office space ain't hip hop - i dont know what is.
what am i missing? how is office space hip hop? while we're at let's add the teenage mutant ninja turtles movie due to vanilla ice's rap.
has someone mentioned malibu's most wanted?
don't be silly suit. ninja tuttles & malibu exploit. office space embraces.
i'll break it down:
- mike judge (writer/director) is a hip hop dude. more specifically, a huge rap-a-lot fan. diggedy has seen a picture of him chillin' with scarface in houston.
- the movie's soundtrack features kool keith, scarface, the geto boys, ice cube, slum village, and the title song "shove this jay-oh-bee" by canibus & biz markie.
- the movie's opening scene features a dude rapping scarface in his car.
- one of the characters breakdances and then recites a geto boys line shortly after.
- "damn it feels good to be a gangster" highlights/creates one of the best scenes in the movie. same goes for "down for whenever".
- another great scene from the movie sees all main characters beating up a copy machine with baseball bats to the tune of "still" by the geto boys.
- jennifer aniston.
- the character of "michael bolton" uses "yo" and "whassup g" throughout the film and has a snoop dogg "dogfather" poster in his cubicle.
- stealing money from "the man" is hip hop. and robin hood. or should i say, "robbin' hood". hey now!
:o)
aight, that was some deep ish, wex. you've won me over.
While I see what he's getting at, I still disagree with Wex on Office Space.
It's all about the definition of "Hip Hop influenced" I guess..
When I think of Hip Hop influenced, I think of stuff like what's in his top 5.. All embraced some form of the culture (whether it be gear, the elements, etc).
Office Space just has a rap soundtrack, and a b-boy move. Based on this, Boiler Room is a hip hop influenced movie. Prime has a Biggie song playing, and a hip hop party they go to. I wouldn't call it hip hop influenced though. I'd call it a chick flick.
I think movies like these, and Larry Clark's Kids, etc fall into a different genre that I'm too tired to think of.
how about masta ace at hhk. that was a solid hip hop influenced flick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHHIq5JotnY
boiler room is not hip hop.
If Ben Afleck isn't HipHop I don't know what is
We haven't touched on Hip-Hop docs, have we? I'm thinking of "Rize", the film about Crumping in L.A..
On another note, I'm glad no one's mentioned "Dangerous Minds".
But how about this one: "Bulworth"! Not a good movie really, but an ambitious one, and definitely about hip-hop in some way.
RDJ (can't no other jewboy cook these delicacies)
for some odd reason the bullworth soundtrack stayed on the passenger side floorboard of my car for like 2 years in college. it got mad smashed up by feet.
bebe's kids.
tone loc is my hero.
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