Chuck D’s Hiphop Hall Of Fame
It was very refreshing to sit down and watch the show piece of this dvd, a 46 minuite documentary, consisting of 9 segments dedicated to 9 important father figures of hiphop, pieced together with a voice over introduction by Chuck D. For once we are exposed to the intellect, aims and ideas that have influenced millions of people around the world. This is not a dvd dedicated to the discussion....
It was very refreshing to sit down and watch the show piece of this dvd, a 46 minuite documentary, consisting of 9 segments dedicated to 9 important father figures of hiphop, pieced together with a voice over introduction by Chuck D. For once we are exposed to the intellect, aims and ideas that have influenced millions of people around the world. This is not a dvd dedicated to the discussion of pimps, home invasions and drive by’s. On the contrary, as Rakim says theres “nothing glamorous about being a gangster”, hereby destroying the myth of the popular press and uninformed youths that rap is nothing more than an outlet for violent, sexist machismo, where the lyrics are taken literally and not as a document of the times.
What we are offered here is a super clever bunch of guys, many versed in western and eastern philosophy, all hoping to expose the truth to anyone prepared to listen. KRS-1 for instance was a lecturer in Metaphysics and Politics at Harvard University. Chubb Rock quit rap to go to University. And Ice-T decided to dedicate his time to creating the Number One Stereo Installation in the USA for his car.
We are given a segment on Africa Bambaataa, the founder of the Zulu Nation. Too Short informs us that he is first inspired by the music with the words flowing later. Chuck D’s own segment discusses the foundations of Public Enemy. Ice Cube turns up via some archive interview. Finally and note worthy of mention is Spider D, who according to Chuck D is “one of the best kept secrets in rap music”, who at this moment is in the process of changing his name to Unsung in order to try and hit the mainstream.
It was interesting to listen to 9 people all discussing various issues relating to being pro-active within their communities. Far from rejecting “the normal life” these guys are all role models for any one of any age, who care about the world around them. All are poets and all deserved to be listened to.
We are also offered many extras including 10 mins of concert footage of KRS-S 1, Davey D in NYC interviewing Crazy Legs, Home movies of Fab 5 Freddy , and The Birth of Contemporary Rap Music by Davey D.
Also included are 7 audio tracks from Illegal Thought Process (x2), Jay Mcelfresh, The 2awk, Johnny Juice (my favourite 2 “Up in the Bronx”), Schooly D and Chuck D, and finally A Grav Lab.
As most of the footage included is archive footage, the quality of the image is not great but the sound all comes in a 5.1 Dolby Digital Stereo Mix. Although I am not versed enough to know who all these guys are and how they all fit into the world picture, it has sent me down to the record shop already. A dvd with a lot of warmth eminating from its contents, not for everyone, but if it is not for you, you are probably passing up the opportunity to break a lot of stereotypes you may or may not have about Rap music. And that is a great loss for the world.
Extras
Concert Performance from KRS-1
Home Movies- Fab 5 Freddy and Futura Run DMC
Davey D in NYC- Featuring Crazy Legs
The Birth of Contemporary Rap Music
Bonus Audio Tracks
Illegal Thought Process- DEATH and LOVE (2 tracks)
Jay Mcelfresh- Didn’t Care If We Made The Charts
The 2awk- United Static Association
Johnny Juice- Up In The Bronx
Schooly D and Chuck D- PSK
A Grav Lab- Spacewalker
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