The Choice Is Yours

Honestly, I came in expecting a retrospect about the group Black Sheep and that hit song, but was blown away by where the filmmakers took it. The film starts off by setting up who is Dres, the scene he came up in, then drops you off in the present, where he seems to be struggling to remain relevant but has an opportunity to create a comeback project of a life time...seems straight forward, but this is actually all laying the groundwork for a series of twists and turns that I did not expect. Watching Dres navigate these obstacles, you begin to realize this is not a Hip Hop doc, but more a film that chronicles a once very famous person, who is now more or less a civilian, dealing with the hardships of today. It confronts bigger ideas like the affects of becoming famous at a young age, fatherhood, legacy, brotherhood, friendships, and the downside/ dirtiness of the music industry. I would recommend this to any fan of documentary.

Excellent and illuminating film following an artist in search of his next chapter. Dres is a fascinating character to follow -- it's easy to watch him reflect on his unique journey through being a "one album wonder" as a kid, to now where he's mentoring the next wave of talent in the industry and plotting his next album. The twists and turns of his comeback (a new album featuring the beats of the legendary producer, J Dilla) allow us to see the complexities of the music industry in a way few outsiders ever get to see. The Choice is Yours is nostalgic as well as a lesson in navigating the music industry. Bravo to the filmmakers.

An incredible documentary with many twists and turns that will keep you wondering what's coming next. This film isn't just for lovers of hip-hop but transcends the genre as an intimate portrait of an artist struggling to maintain relevancy in the latter half of their career, and captures their journey as they search for creative inspiration and seek to reconnect with a long lost friend. Director Clark Slater brings his signature touch of weaving together a highly interpersonal story while also chronicling important moments in hip-hop history. Above all else the film is an important tale of success, loss, and finding one's self again.

This doc is impressively woven together. The thread is definitely Hip Hop, but the story the filmmakers captured and present is so much more. First you get a taste of Black Sheep and 90s Hip Hop, but that only sets up the characters and whats to come. You also get a mini-J Dilla doc in there as well which I wasn't expecting. Seeing his mother in there tell her side of things was not only touching but very interesting, as J Dilla's life and legacy has always been a bit in the shadows. You can tell Dres feels the weight of the opportunity he's presented with but by the time I finished watching the doc, the story had transformed way past the project, and into a very deep and personal tale of perseverance. I'd say this is an unglamorous look at music, stardom, and success but it all beautifully comes together and leaves you thinking. Well done.

As a kid of the 90s this was such a dope film to watch. So many artists of my childhood were honored and I love that this film gave them their flowers. A must watch, truly inspiring and the team did such an amazing job telling this story. I left truly understanding how there are so many chapters in our lives and you can always get up and try again. It's never too late to pursue your dreams. This was more than just a documentary but a truly moving story on resilience, drive, and passion. This is the perfect film to watch with the family during the holiday times. I highly recommend and you will not be disappointed!