The legendary Martha Cooper opened her 2013 Acclaim Mag Carbon Festival talk in Melbourne by proclaiming that Hip hop is the world’s most prolific youth culture of our modern time. This stuck with me for two reasons. Firstly, because she was 100% right, and secondly because I’d never thought of Hip hop as a worldwide cultural movement before.
Hip hop is more than just a genre of music, it’s a lifestyle, a way of thinking. It’s had, and continues to have an influence on so many facets of our lives, not just in the West, but societies across the globe. It influences the way we dress, the way we communicate, the art we appreciate, the art we make, and of course the music we listen to. This, all very interestingly, is in spite of whether you actually listen to hip hop music or not.
Visual and musical artists in the genre are often revered for more than just their artistic production. They create more than art, they push social boundaries, they bring light to injustices, and they produce a deep and emotive meaning out of their art that other genres usually can’t reach. This is usually as a result of the subject matter in their art having being drawn directly from their own often oppressive and underprivileged environments.
Being such an important part in our social history, it’s both interesting and important to get to know those who have had the biggest influence in hip-hop culture, what it was like forging their way in this genre, and even finding out how the culture was originally first documented (see Style Wars). Although not exhaustive by any means, these are the must watch documentaries that will provide you with a wealth of insight. Enjoy.
The Show [1995]
The Show is an amazing documentary giving candid interviews with all the heavyweights of the time, interspersed with their performances at ‘The Show’ . The Russell Simmons / Slick Rick insight is fascinating, as is the Biggie interviews.
Wu-Tang – Rock The Bells [2004]
After most of the revered crew pealed off to begin incredibly successful solo careers, Rock the bells follows hip hop promoter Chang Weisberg’s efforts to get Wu-Tang back together and play at an event that would make any hip hop head today melt.
Interspersed with all of the acts performing before hand and the main event, Rock the bells gives a great insight into the conflicts and characters of Wu-tang (notably Method Man as he takes a self appointed leading role), and in particular the internal struggles O.D.B was facing before he died.
Watch here on itunes (No longer on youtube, but don’t let that stop you.)
Nas – VH1 [2012]
Although the quality is a bit rubbish, I find the content of this way more authentic than the more recent Nas documentary release Time is illmatic. VH1 tells the story from the beginning of the musical genius, interviewing friends and family who grew up with him.
It also gives great insight as to what it’s like for someone who was basically a child musical prodigy, falling into the ways of the ghetto, and the struggles faced rising above it. You get a great appreciation and understanding for Nas’ musical influences and abilities.
Howard Stern Interviews Eminem [1999]
After first listening to Infinite, Eminem’s little known yet musically brilliant first album, you begin to realise that Eminem is much more than he appears in his commercially successful The Slim Shady LP.
His interview with Stern, although painful at times as a result of Stern’s persona, occurs just after the release of his LP, and gives a fascinating insight into how Eminem came to where he was, and what he had to deal with to get there. It also surprisingly demonstrates a highly intelligent and intellectual Marshall Mathers. Highly recommended.
Scratch [2001]
Hip hop was started with the DJ. The MC was a subsidiary to the DJs performance, meant to complement the art of beat mixing. Scratch is a remarkable documentary honouring this, and showing the progression of DJs from the beginning, and how it actually came about. This show’s all the big dogs, apart from Jazzy Jeff, which has been the only real critique of this as a true history piece.
Rhyme & Reason [1997]
Rhyme & Reason focuses on the personal interviews of over 80 major hip hop artists, getting their personal take on the industry and the cultural revolution that they are apart of. It’s great getting up close and personal with rappers we still idolise today.
Style Wars [1983]
And of course we have Style Wars. This wasn’t meant to be a rated list, as each film deserves to be watched for its own merits, but if it was, this would take the top spot.
Style Wars is one of the greatest documentaries you can watch about the birth of hip hop culture. Henry Chalfant and his now highly acclaimed photographer friend Martha Cooper, both young, white, middle class New Yorkers, gain the trust and friendship of the many street crews in Brooklyn and Harlem, and document hip hop culture for the first time.
Cooper has been praised for being the first to document modern graffiti as an art form, and is still involved in the scene today (make sure you read up on her if you don’t know her). There’s no limit to the amount of times this can be viewed and still appreciated. Lots of ’80’s NY subway / city scenes which are dope.
Words by Carlos Danger
