Hip Hop The Songs That Shook America

One time my friends and I had a dream; it was to become famous rappers and perform together. Today, I am a senior in college who has a new dream as a movie director. In this documentary film, I would like to reflect on the nameless longings of youth. I want to be a movie director, but I am worried and nervous due to the uncertain future. Consequently, I decided to make a documentary which reflects on the lives of young men. In order to share my anxiety with them, I visited my old friends who I used to perform with.

Microphone Check stands as a groundbreaking documentary offering a compelling narrative that delves into the often-overlooked origins and evolution of hip hop culture. As the first film of its kind to center primarily on the original pioneers of the genre, it sheds light on their invaluable contributions and untold stories. Beyond this pioneering approach, Microphone Check also distinguishes itself by being the first to comprehensively explore the origins of all the elements of hip hop, from DJing and MCing to graffiti and breakdancing. Through a captivating blend of interviews, archival footage, and cultural analysis, the film not only celebrates the creative ingenuity, social impact, and enduring legacy of hip hop but also reaffirms its status as a global cultural force.

Founding Fathers attempts to dismantle the story of South Bronx as the birthplace, and Kool Herc as the father, of Hip Hop. The film asserts that Herc, Flash, and others commonly regarded as the creators in fact stole their ideas from those that came before them. Many of these former DJs and MCs, now in their fifties and sixties, are featured here claiming that as early as 1967 they were doing what Herc has been credited with starting in 1973—and in other areas of New York City such as Brooklyn and Harlem, and not the Bronx.

Released as a companion piece to the 10-track audio collection from the Loudes 68 Presents series, this bonus compilation unleashes some of the hottest hip-hop and reggaeton music on the planet via colorful live footage filmed on location in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Featured hip-hop, reggaeton and bachata artists include Boy ("Una Noche Mas"), P. Blades ("El Coqui") and Los Nandez ("El Mero Mero").

'Chinese Hip-Hop Underground' is an insider documentary following the story of Weber - one of Mainland China's first rappers. Weber's uncanny musical talents allow him to spearhead the creation of Chinese rap music - a free form of creative self-expression that spreads like wildfire amongst those struggling the most; young working class students and grassroots migrants left out of the country's meteoric rise. Even while Weber's music electrifies China's youth and gains a huge following, he is challenged by enemies posing a threat to his musical existence: state censors, on the one hand, and armies of state-backed pop stars seeking to steal the name of hip-hop for their own gain, on the other. Can Weber and underground musicians like him survive this assault? Will Underground Chinese hip-hop survive?

This video was created and projected during the performance of The Hip-Hop Waltz of Eurydice (1990). "The use of the rear-screen video in Hip-Hop hooks you into the psyche of the world outside as well as the psyche of the world inside. When the Captain throws the coffin through the window, you see a world that shatters. The boy behind the window represents the forces behind the window, which are facing us but which we choose not to see. At the start of the play, the figure behind the window, which was before reproduced, is now, at the end of the play, alive. That is translated through light into space, and in space translated to motion. On one level it is completely reproduced, it is not actual; on another level, it's actual, and that is only possible when you are using different media." —Reza Abdoh

To speak the truth is not always an easy task. Especially when the truth is hard-hitting and deals with the issues of the day. Such is the ministry presentation of Minister G. Craige Lewis and EX Ministries. The Truth Behind Hip Hop: "Exodus Into Egypt?" exposes the inner workings of the stratagems of the enemy. The Word of the Lord declares that "My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge". God has given this ministry not only the knowledge but also the platform. Thousands have been changed through this powerful word directly from the throne. Experience the ministry that is responsible for packing auditoriums all over the country. And with the information contained in the DVD presentation, young people have been empowered to effect change. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. And no doubt, when it is ended, you will know what true freedom is about.

In 15-years the Black Mafia Family, or BMF as they were called, made close to 300 million dollars trafficking cocaine from Atlanta to Los Angeles. In the Hip-Hop music industry they created a front company called BMF Entertainment, which was a perfect mix of drugs, violence, and street cred that makes their story Hip-Hop's version of the Godfather. This film explores the story of the 15-year investigation by the DEA, FBI and an elite drug task force called HIDTA, which resulted in 41 defendants across the country being charged in one of the largest drug conspiracy cases ever.

From Oakland to Iceland: A Hip-Hop Homecoming is a documentary about Iceland native DJ Platurn, raised in California and his homecoming tour playing in Iceland where he has lived since the age of 7. The film explores his 3 week tour DJing for his native Icelanders, where he exhibits his talents as a scratch/trick DJ, among other things. DJ Platurn resides in Oakland, California.

How the squalid streets of '70s New York gave birth to music that would go on to conquer the world - punk, disco and hip hop.

A documentary film about Hip Hop scene in Croatia.

Chester P (Real talk records) takes a film crew with him on a journey as he attempts to find the truth about the effects of the austerity measures and the housing crisis on the people of London with a moving and insightful narrative.

From humble origins in the Bronx, the culture now dictates global popularity in music, fashion, art, and dance. This is a celebration of 50 years of Hip-Hop!

Just as hip-hop revolutionized music forever, so did the iconic fashion that spun out of it, birthing a legion of savvy, entrepreneurial designers; NBC News looks at how corporate fashion and luxury brands adapted in the streetwear market.

The biggest annual event in hip-hop music, the Source Awards is a celebration of the best in the game. From unforgettable performances to undeniably tense interactions and exchanges, the show never fails to provide a wealth of memorable moments. This collection features highlights from the event's first four years, including appearances by Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes and the Wu-Tang Clan.

A documentary about an emerging scene which is on the verge of becoming mainstream - the queer hop scene.

The Hip-Hop Nucleus is a documentary on the world famous Tunnel nightclub of New York City. The Tunnel was the club most people feared to enter due to the constant violence, sex and drugs. The Tunnel opened in early 1992 by Peter Gatien. In 1994 promoters Jessica Rosenblum and Chris Lighty began promoting a Hip-Hop parties on Sunday’s called Mecca. In 1996 Franchise Entertainment took over the Sunday night and this was during the Golden Era of Hip-Hop and the Tunnel became a Hip-Hop Nucleus as it birthed a lot of today’s multi platinum artist who went on to become Grammy winners, CEO’s, entrepreneurs and even moguls. Artist such as Sean “Jay-Z” Carter, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Andre “Dr. Dre” Smith, Snoop Dogg and DJ Funkmaster Flex to name a few. One of the Tunnel past bouncers was Vin Diesel.

To prove they're still 'with it' and 'urban,' Everything is Terrible! has taken the entire history of co-opted cool, and bashed it together into one continuous mix that will not only please your earballs, but also your eyelobes. Can we B real 4 a second? Everyone knows rap music is best when performed by white people promoting reasonably-priced hammed-burgers. So doesn't it make sense to witness and celebrate the REAL birth of hip-hop? You know, the one involving child actors rappin' 'bout stamps, and claymation doughboys spittin' rhymes 'bout crescent rolls! And you'd never in a billion years think old ladies can rap- BUT THEY TOTALLY CAN! After EIT! Does The Hip-Hop!, you’ll never need to listen to music again! For various reasons! ...And it don’t stop! Word!

When people think of the hip hop life, they think of the players - the men who shape the music and the blinged-out lifestyle that comes with success. The fact is the hip hop life is different for the women involved: the spouses, girlfriends or artists trying to define themselves in a world where men are still calling the shots.