Top 5 lists – Top 5 Hip Hop Movies

Top 5 lists

Pretty simple

This is going to be a recurring opportunity for people in this forum to offer a list of their Top 5 films or things related to a film within a certain genera or subject (ex. Top 5 Gangster Movies, Top 5 Performances by a Rapper, Top 5 De Niro scenes, Top 5 Space Movies without an Alien in them, etc). Every couple weeks or so I’ll post up a thread with a specific subject and you post your Top 5 for that subject; easy.

The object is to present an in depth reasoning for your choices. If you just list 5 movies I will delete your post. Tell us what makes you like the movie so much. Maybe there is a personal connection to the movie – you saw it during a special time in your life or a scene reminds you of something special to you. What sends the movie over the top for you and makes it so perfect for the list. The acting is especially good, the cinematography, the score, whatever. Maybe it is just generally a great movie that happens to fit the criteria.

Number your list don’t just throw down 5 movies. They should be ranked with 1 being the best possible fit, in your opinion, for this list. If you just list 5 movies it defeats the purpose and will be deleted.

Keep it spoiler free. Be courteous to your forum friends who have not yet seen the movie. Every list you post you should assume you are introducing people to the movie for the first time or pitching to them why they should see it. If you must use a spoiler please mark it clearly so other can avoid it.

Be creative and use clips, trailers, songs, whatever if you are so inclined.

To kick off the top five lists here is the first subject:

Top 5 Hip Hop Movies




I'll add mine soon

5. Menace II Society



Going a little off with this one, but I don’t think you can dispute the influence hip hop had on this movie and how much influence this movie came to have on hip hop. It came out at a good time in my life where music was growing in importance. Maybe you could say Boyz In The Hood was a better movie, but for entertainment value it’s gotta be Menace for me. Liked the soundtrack and it made all of us like MC Eiht and Spice 1, just that much more. Some nice rapper cameos. And really, who didn’t wanna be as bad ass as O dog doin his Killer impression at the end?

[video=youtube;nrVCRQd1ugU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrVCRQd1ugU[/video]


4. The Freshest Kids



First documentary on the list of many. Here begins the themes you’ll see running through the majority of my picks – authenticity and the elements. Often over looked in modern times as a relic of the past now girls are taking “hip hop dance” classes that don’t pop and lock and certainly don’t break and I think “that’s not hip hop dance”. I remember when people who wouldn’t go near the music thought breaking was the coolest thing. It peaked hard and never really came back to that level since. This film takes a look back and a look forward with some great footage and essential interviews with luminaries of the art.

[video=youtube;2Yv3d8KTwSQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yv3d8KTwSQ[/video]


3. Infamy



Graffiti has to be the most controversial Hip Hop element and this film doesn’t lessen the controversy, but what it does is personalize it. You get inside the mind and experiences of some of the top Graffiti writers out and even a guy that goes out and paints over all the Graffiti he can find to clean things up. With the fame of Bansky and the whole “street art” being somehow legitimate faze this movie is honest and genuine to the art without pulling any punches. People may not walk away from the movie any more accepting of Graffiti, but I think it does challenge them and I like to think, by the end, create understanding. In the long run understanding might just be more important. I think this is another well done documentary with some great access and even a nice soundtrack. For me I can watch this movie without wanting to run out at night and bomb the whole city.

[video=youtube;vTcMqhBgTrQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTcMqhBgTrQ[/video]

2. Wild Style



I was barely alive for this era of Hip Hop, but this movie keeps it alive for me to experience in some way. From battles in the park to Grandmaster Flash scratching in a kitchen the continuing theme of being “authentic” running among my picks is apparent here again. Plays like a documentary and considering the era, the budget, and the equipment I think it stands up well. Wild Style should be on the list, if for no other reason, than the influence it had, not just on hip hop movies, but hip hop as a whole.

1. Scratch



This is one of my favorite documentary films ever, not just as a Hip Hop film. Just about every notable DJ from the start of Hip Hop is featured in some way in this film. Often over looked for the MC, the DJ is the backbone and this movie highlights the DJ in the best way possible. I’ve found this film makes people appreciate the DJ as a legit musician and performer and is a gate way film for introducing people to the genre.

[video=youtube;G_u7s8NDz9o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_u7s8NDz9o[/video]

What movie of any on anyone's list fits this description? Other than the one on yours?

MC Ehit, Too Short, Yo-Yo, Saafir, Pooh-Man

I'm trying to resist the urge to call you fucking retarded so excuse me if this sounds a bit impolite.

Have you seen the movie? Because I'm thinking you haven't. MC Eiht has as important and as big a role in that movie as anyone other than the 3 main stars. Do you know the background of this film? Who was supposed to play the two lead roles in the movie? What kind of music dominates the soundtrack to this film? What kind of life style is depicted in the film? Is that life style influenced by and also represented in the music that dominates the soundtrack of this film? What urban "culture" founded on for elements is the basis for that music?

And again, you bring this actor criteria up as if it is some how a way to argue that Menace isn't a hip hop movie so that you can include Scarface on your list. The two aren't even close. By this point I wonder if you've even ever seen Scarface.

Again, I disagree that Menace has nothing to do with hip hop but influence. I think I've shown that pretty clearly by this point.

Scarface's influence on hip hop isn't in dispute (which I why I didn't delete your post because it is a relevant pick). Personally I wouldn't include it and especially wouldn't put it at number 1, but that's your pick so it is up to you.

and no hip hop culture in it which is why I wouldn't include it in a list like this.


Spice 1