Through the Years of Hip Hop, Vol. 1 - Graffiti

Starring:Run DMC, Queen Latifah
Studio: Music Video Dist.
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

By now, even your granny knows the four pillars of hip-hop--breaking, DJ'ing, MC'ing, and graffiti--but does she know hip-hop history? Through the Years... is a four-part series exploring hip-hop's roots and pioneers. Volume 1, "Graffiti," takes an intelligent, though New York-centric look at the origins of "writing" and its evolution from ghetto youth crime to splashy art-world staple. Well-chosen footage illustrates the differences among a "tag," a "burner," and a "full car," while living legends Seen and Vulcan discuss their careers and those of Lee Quinones; the late, great Dondi; and Phase 2, whom Vulcan calls the greatest graffiti artist of all time. Wild Style director Charlie Ahearn and the ubiquitous Kevin Powell place the phenomenon within a sociological context. Seven classic music videos, including Run DMC's "Rock Box" and Rob Base's "It Takes Two," add a nice touch to an inspiring production. --Rebecca Levine

Description

This 90-minute feature tells the tale of Hip-Hop through a four-part documentary series entitled "The Architects." The story is told chronologically and right from the mouths of the greats. Learn how these young gifted pioneers constructed an industry that so many people enjoy now. Each volume will feature some of the greatest Hip-Hop videos from the past to the present in an inspiring journey of musical genre creation. Featuring Full-Length Videos from: Run DMC, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, Queen Latifah, De La Soul, Special Ed, Dana Dane, and Crash Crew.

Customer Reviews:

A good start in understnading hip hop.......2007-01-19

A good documentary of historical value. A well made effort in describing the essence of what we call hip hop in it's morden day form. It's flashback of occurances and events shows an unification of innovation in inner city life and it's youths revelation of how America defines itself today. Looking forward to all 4 Hip Hop years.

The Old School where you learned.......????.......2006-12-09

This one rocks out. I like this one, really! It's way back when, way back before people knew where spiderman came from. Okay, maybe not that far back but it's getting the videos and seeing people in a movie. These people at one time were on for a nation of millions. It was this or nothing. It's like seeing a tag or fill in for your very first time!

Muy Bueno!.......2004-10-10

For those who were around during th early years of hip hop before it's "trashification" with gangster crap (though recent releases have shown some improvement) or who are just interested in this era, this is very good. The documentary on graffiti really gets it right when it sets up what it was like to be a 70s child in the pre hip-hop era (having been one myself). The videos themselves range from interesting to good. A crude but appealing video of the Crash Crew gives you a good idea of what early hip hop was like. Then we have the classics of the era such as Run-DMC's Rock Box, Dana Dane, Rob Base, the young Queen Latifah, etc. The there's De La Soul's classic posse video "Buddy" which also includes a cameo by the young Latifah. This is a sweet video. I love the unity and positivitiy it represents among the Long Island-New Jersey rappers of that time. Too bad rap did not stay on this level. But in either case, watch it, learn, and enjoy.

The real Hip Hop.......2002-11-10

First of all I'd like to respond to the cat from England who
has no clue of what real Hip Hop culture is. Hip Hop culture is not just the four elements of Hip Hop,(Writing, B boying, DJing/Beatboxing,mcing)Its about a culture created by kids in the inner city streets. The first part of the documentary IS related because the title of the series is called "Through the
years of Hip Hop," So it is important to show people how this culture began! Then they give you a tight piece on Graffiti told by the masters. This project was praised by Zulu Nation for its authenticity as well as other pioneers. I follow Hip Hop and I know what's good for the culture and this DVD is an excellent addition to other classic productions like Style
Wars and Wild style. And yes Xmas music is real Hip Hop and so is "Through The Years." Learn the culture before you comment!

Waste of space.......2002-10-06

About time someone did a proper history or hip hop, graf and breakdancing. Unfortunately, this isnt it. It says 90 mins on the back and it only lasted 30 mins. The first 10 minutes was unrelated ... and [terrible] christmas music. The rest of the program was close ups of photos from Subway Art and Spray Can Art. I dont want to see the back of someones head for half of the program. If you want a proper history of hip hop, get Style Wars, Wild Style or anything else. This is awful and a complete waste of money. The music videos were a strange collection, but monie love still [disappointed me].

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