RICH REVIEWS: The Culture of Hip Hop

The Culture of Hip Hop: Staten Island Part 1

Documentary

TRAILER Part 1: youtu.be/r45-RyQILko

TRAILER Part 2: youtu.be/FiJHJvnGldg

Follow the rise and fall of some of the greatest Hip Hop artists to come out of Staten Island, New York, including the Wu-Tang Clan, The Force M.D.’s, The U.M.C.’s, and DJ K Roc who DJs for MC Lyte.

Directors: Carl June & Luis Libran
Executive Producers: Carl June & Luis Libran
Producers: Carlos A. Pimentel, Jeffrey “Love” Finley & Charles “Red” June Jr., Love
Associate Producer: Derreck “Nes” Johnson
Cinematography: Carl June & Luis Libran
Edited by: Luis Libran & Carl June
Narration by: Love

Cast: Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Shyheim, Haas G, Ralph McDaniels, King Just, Fatman Scoop, Force MD’s, Jessie Daniels, Stevie D, Trisco, Khalid, DJ K Rock, Milk Dee, Pop the Brown Hornet, Red, Dyverse, Gee Bee, AJ James, Love, Carl JuneBlackk Starr, Mike Lilz, Lance Pope, Charles Walker, Robert Celestin, Guy Routte, Patricia Jackson, Equan Allah, DJ Nyce, DJ Storm “G”, Hassan Johnson, Lounge Lo, Kay, Joseph Malla, Roosevelt Sheriff, King of Chill, F.U., DJ Aym, Derreck “Nes” Johnson, Gello Jonez, Mr Tariq, Big Gooch, Simone “S.Dot” Smith, John “Klass” Hamilton, Nasty Nov, HDM Hype Madman, Double Jae, Susan King, Fred Lo, Nitty, Shawn Berry, Raydon Coleman, Moe Leek, Wiggs, June Luva, Nephe Neph aka The Last American B Boy, Dyverse the 1st, DJ Unit, Hell Fire, Fes Taylor, Sukari Sweet Twin, Tajiri Rich Twin, Ray / A Team, Gang Grills

Run Time: 1 h, 11 m
Website: www.bgpics.com/
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Comments: The introductory music is great. The photography of Staten Island is beautifully done. It shows the area off to full effect. The bridge is stunning.
A lot of people associated with Hip Hop are mentioned here. The people talking about Hip Hop are real people being interviewed. They do have a passion for the art. They are also relaxed and laid back.
To follow everything being said it would help if you have some knowledge of all the people being talked about. Those interviewed know what they are talking about. These are people from the industry like managers, DJ’s, singers, and producers.  There is very little shown of performers performing.
There are facts about the performance that you may or may not have known.
This documentary is for anyone who knows their Hip Hop and wants to learn more about it.
Hip-Hop does provide youth with a sense of identity and belonging, Hip-Hop’s strong influence fosters a sense of unity. They are marked by economic hardships, racial discrimination, and limited opportunities. Young artists turned to music, poetry, and dance to express their experiences and emotions.
At its core Hip-Hop is built on values of social justice, peace, respect, self-worth, community, and having fun and this film touches on those.

The Culture of Hip Hop: Staten Island Part 2

Directors: Carl June & Luis Libran
Executive Producers: Carl June & Luis Libran
Producers: Carlos Pimentel, Jeffery “Love” Finley, Charles “Red” June Jr.
Associate Producer: Derryck “Nes” Johnson
Cinematography:  Carl June & Luis Libran
Edited by: Luis Libran & Carl June

Cast: Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Shyheim, Fatman Scoop, Stevie D, Jessie D, Kahill, Pop Da Brown Hornet, Ralph McDaniels, Rhymrcka, Red, Gee Bee, Luis Libran, Robin Bell, Susan King, Boomer, Patricia Jackson, Love, Czar Scar, Souljah, Guy Routte, Hassan Johnson, Moe Leek, Derryck “Nes” Johnson, Gello Jonez, Shotz, Kay, Water Team, HDM Hype Madman, Double Jae, John “Klass” Hamilton, Tajiri Rich Twin, Sukari Sweet Twin, Chinaman, Alex, Wonder, Gano Grills, Mr Tarq, Smoke, Nathaniel Yousuf Ali Whaite/Uturn, Raydon Coleman, June Luva, Iron Mike, Apocalipps, Dee El Are “KD”, Last American B Boy, Seven, DJ Storm, F.U., Hellfire

Run Time: 58 m
Website: www.bgpics.com/
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Comments: Hip Hip artists are shown to have a passion for performing and creating. A lot of names are mentioned and if you know Hip Hop you will them otherwise probably not.
The Wu Tang name was big in Hip Hop. Not just the music but a clothing line. The Purple Tape was like the best Hip Hop made. These are mentioned and it seems like they are a big deal yet they do not bring that out. The people talking about them have passion but not excitement.
You do get facts shown on screen. So you will learn something from this documentary. Some Hip Hop videos had a million-dollar budget. Hip Hop artists do get respect and they deserve it.
Ruthless Bastards the five performers have spent time in jail. Drugs get mentioned a few times. So there is a definite criminal aspect tied in with Hip Hop.
Hip Hop is a solid part of the music scene.

The Culture of Hip Hop: Staten Island Part 3

Directors: Carl June & Luis Libran
Executive Producers: Carl June, Luis Libran
Producers: Carlos Pimentel, Jeffery “Love” Finley, Charles”Nappy Red” June Jr Love
Associate Producer: Derryck “Nes” Johnson
Cinematography: Carl June, Luis Libran
Edited by: Luis Libran, Carl June

Cast: Inspectah Deck, Trife Diesel, JoJo Pellegrino, King Just, Rhymrcka, Chedder Bang, Seven, Kay, D.E., Stumik, Boomer, NYY Brim, Chuck Lite, Kay Balla, Dana Walker Boyd, Sukari Sweettwin, Beda Free, Chuck Bizza, Binatraa Banks, Gano Grills, DJ Nyce, Tyronne Mitchell, Red, Carl June, AI James, Mike Milz, Shotz, Trufetti, Intel, Grampa Grams, DJ Storm, “G” CEO Demographics Inc, Equan Allah, Robert A. Celestin, Jason A. Swanston, Robin Bell, Souljah, Spankjusbizess, Dana Walker – Boyd, Last American B Boy, Fes Taylor, Hellfire, DJ Aym, The Twins, Haas G, King Just, Pop Da Brown Hornet

Run Time: 1 h
Website: www.bgpics.com/
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Comments: Various people in the industry tell the story of Hip Hop in Staten Island.
Wu-Tang Clan had a huge impact on Hip Hop. They sold around 40 million records worldwide.
The people shown do love Hip Hop and they know a lot about it. From Producers, and DJ’s to performers. The only problem here is if you do not know Hip Hop or the performers The more you know the more you will enjoy this. The artists featured talking are famous in the Hip Hop scene. Many of the artists worked together on albums.
The pop-up facts are a nice touch to the documentary as you learn a lot from them in a short time. It would be nice to hear more music in this documentary. The brief glimpses of videos and the music on them are great yet there is very little of it.
Water Team was the first Rap Group to perform at Staten Island Yankee Stadium.
The people interviewed here will let you know all about the culture of Hip Hop from Staten Island. It has been around for 50 years and is here to stay.

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