HipHop Documentaries
Documentaries about HipHop culture based on any or all of its four elements (MC, DJ, BBoy, Graffiti), bio docs highlighting prominent HipHop artists, in some cases docs that are more music business focused, and in some noteworthy cases I included concert videos of sorts, but sometimes it's a judgement call. I'm trying to include any and all HipHop documentaries good bad and ugly, so if I missed one, please feel free to let me know.
Chronological order, this list is a work in progress. While I may be a fan of many of these, and often might include my own personal review or footnotes, this is not a "best of" list of any kind, and I don't claim it to be 100% definitive in any way.
Finally, when compiling this list I realized there is a very large number of Tupac documentaries, some good some not so good, some down right exploitative. While this list may seem incomplete if I don't include all of them, I opted instead to include only the highlights (again, aesthetic reasons) and make a second list dedicated to all those Tupac docs - titled 'Pacumentaries' - found rightchere ... [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls077534289/[/link]
Chronological order, this list is a work in progress. While I may be a fan of many of these, and often might include my own personal review or footnotes, this is not a "best of" list of any kind, and I don't claim it to be 100% definitive in any way.
Finally, when compiling this list I realized there is a very large number of Tupac documentaries, some good some not so good, some down right exploitative. While this list may seem incomplete if I don't include all of them, I opted instead to include only the highlights (again, aesthetic reasons) and make a second list dedicated to all those Tupac docs - titled 'Pacumentaries' - found rightchere ... [link]http://www.imdb.com/list/ls077534289/[/link]
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- DirectorTony SilverStarsDemonKase 2Eric HazeA documentary that exposes the rich growing subculture of hip-hop that was developing in New York City in the late '70s and early '80s, specifically focusing on graffiti art and breakdancing.
- DirectorDick FontaineStarsAfrika BambaataaMr. BiggsPow Pow
- DirectorTopper CarewStarsIce-TKid FrostAdolfo QuinonesDocumentary about the LA hip hop/electro scene in the early 80s.
- DirectorBram van SplunterenStarsBill AdlerDennis BellVito BrunoIn 1986 a dutch television network, VPRO, aired this raw documentary about New York and its young and fresh HipHop scene. Interviewer Marcel Vanthilt went to the big apple to meet the pioneers of hip hop.
- DirectorFred DukesStarsDebbie AllenIrene CaraTom Lister Jr."RapMania: The Roots of Rap" showcases many rappers performing at the Apollo Theater in New York City and The Palace Theater in Hollywood.
- DirectorBrian RobbinsStarsCraig MackAndre YoungAfrika BambaataaA documentary about the culture of hip-hop. Through interviews with some of hip-hops biggest names, the film makers attempt to find out why it has become so popular.
- DirectorSusan ShawStarsAfrika BambaataaChuck DIce Cube
- DirectorPeter SpirerStarsB-RealKurtis BlowDa BratA study in the world of hip-hop, done mostly with interviews, in order to see why it is as popular as it is today and what the future holds.
- DirectorJohn CarluccioStarsAfrika BambaataaSteve DeeDJ PremierA documentary project about Hip-Hop DJs who are in competitive battles. Shot from 1994 to 1997, the film captures a pivotal time DJ culture and the origins of the turntablist movement. (Distributed on VHS to underground record stores).
- StarsTupac ShakurSuge KnightExclusive pieces of footage featuring Tupac Shakur are shown in this documentary.
- DirectorsMarco La VillaMauro La VillaStarsJunior VasquezRoger SanchezDJ Q-BertFilmmakers Marco and Mauro La Villa examine the role of disc jockeys in 1990s dance-club culture.
- DirectorRachel RaimistStarsLescheaMedusaAsia OneA film about women who love and make hip-hop music. These artists strive through the erasures and obstructions of a heavily male-dominated industry.
- DirectorKevin FitzgeraldStarsChali 2naMuhammad AliPlanet AsiaA documentary about freestyling--the improvised, on-the-spot rhymes that demonstrate the skills of hip-hop MCs.
- DirectorChris FioreStarsJay-ZDMXMethod ManIf you ever wanted to know what really goes on backstage, this is the definitive inside look - uncut and uncensored. Complete with on-stage performances you'll see an intimate view of what life is like at one of the biggest Rap Concert tours of all time. It shows life on the road, in hotels and off stage in a way you've never seen before.
- DirectorDoug PrayStarsThe AlliesA-TrakCrazeThe story of the hip-hop DJ from the birth of hip-hop to the invention of scratching and "beat-juggling" vinyl, to the more recent "turntablism" movement. Underdogs and virtuosos who have radically changed the way we hear and create music.
- DirectorsS. Leigh SavidgeJeff ScheftelStarsFrank AlexanderSam Gideon AnsonWilliam J. BennettThe true story of the rise and fall of Death Row Records.
- DirectorSal MartinoStarsDMXKRS-OneThe Notorious B.I.G.Various hip-hop artist think back and talk about the ghetto life, PAC shakur and there favorite occupations. Also a featured live performance.
- DirectorIsraelStarsAfrika BambaataaYasiin BeyCrazy LegsFrom the Boogie Down Bronx and beyond, the history of the B-Boy.
- DirectorNick BroomfieldStarsThe Notorious B.I.G.Tupac ShakurNick BroomfieldDocumentary on the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls and the East Coast/West Coast, hip-hop/rap rivalry that culminated in late 1996 and early 1997.
- DirectorJoey GarfieldStarsDread Archie Jr.Marie DaulneEmanon
- DirectorPeter SpirerStarsAnthony 'Treach' CrissDavey DMichael Eric DysonDocumentary examining the politics, music, and life of Tupac Shakur.
