Do We Oughta Be In Pictures?
By Da Emazing One • May 4th, 2008 • Category: Feature Articles
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When was the last time you saw a good Hip Hop movie? Before you answer that, let me give you my definition of what a true Hip Hop movie is.
In my opinion, a Hip Hop movie is a movie that reflects the genre and respects the true essence of the Hip Hop culture. Just because a Hip Hop idol is in a movie, that doesn’t mean that it’s a Hip Hop movie.
An example of that would be like Snoop Doggy Dogg was in “Training Day” with Denzel Washington, but that wasn’t a Hip Hop movie. LL Cool J was in “Wildcats” and “Deep Blue Sea,” but those weren’t Hip Hop movies. Queen Latifah was in “Set It Off” and “Chicago,” but again those were not Hip Hop movies.
True Hip Hop movies to me are movies like “Wild Style,” “Beat Street,” “Breakin’,” “Juice,” “House Party,” “CB4,” “Save the Last Dance,” “Who’s the Man?,” “You Got Served,” and of course “8 Mile.”
Only two out of the ones I’ve mentioned have grossed past the fifty million dollar mark (”Save the Last Dance” and “8 Mile.”) However, you have to consider the rising costs of marketing, promoting, and ticket pricing when each of these movies were made. I mean movie tickets were much more affordable around…what…five to ten years ago?
It’s also my opinion that I feel Hollywood will never take the Hip Hop culture seriously, despite it being a billion dollar business. Does Hip Hop oughta be in pictures? Well I won’t say yeah. Instead, I’ll say “Hell Yeah!!!”
Let’s be true about this; Hollywood is a different planet. They don’t see us therefore they don’t know us. All they see and know are dollar signs. Although, with Ice Cube, Will “The Fresh Prince” Smith, LL Cool J and Queen Latifah being in the Hollywood spotlight for well over ten years, one would assumed that they would’ve at least produced one true Hip Hop movie. We all know that they’ve got more than their foot in the door…
or do they?
The Run DMC scene from CB4
Da Emazing One is without a doubt an Old School Scholar. Ever since the year of 1979, when He first heard "Let's Dance To The Drummer's Beat", Emazing was not only hooked, He was infused. His new passion launched Him into the skills of Lyricism, B-Boying, and Graff Writing. Hip Hop gave Him a reason to have a voice, and He now writes for Old School Scholar which gives you the true idea of the type of voice He has.
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