Chris Samuel
Hip-Hop is celebrating its 50th anniversary and SOHH is highlighting five movies that have impacted rap culture. The following movies include Boyz N The Hood, Friday, Belly, Paid In Full, and Hustle & Flow.
Hip-Hop turns 50 and tributes to the genre will continue to happen throughout the year. SOHH, here are five movies that have impacted hip-hop culture:
Boyz N The Hood
In 1991, Boyz N The Hood unveiled real-life situations in the dangerous environment of “the hood.” The film star West Coast rap legend Ice Cube and actors Cuba Gooding Jr., Morris Chestnut, Laurence Fishburne, and others.
One part of the movie referenced commonly in rap lyrics is the murder of Chestnut’s character, Ricky.
Friday
This 1995 comedy film centered around Ice Cube as Craig and his stoner friend, Smokey, played by comedian Chris Tucker. The story centers around the two friends in a one-day adventure that involves smoking marijuana and trying to pay back a ruthless drug dealer, Big Worm, who Faizon Love plays.
The film is a fan favorite due to its many iconic one-liners.
Belly
The 1998 film follows New York street criminals Tommy Bundy, played by the late rapper DMX and Sincere, played by New York rap legend Nas. The film shows the two dealing with acts of crime such as murder, drug dealing, and kidnapping.
Many other rap artists are in the movie, such as Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Sean Paul, and AZ. The film is most known for its iconic intro to the song “Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)” by Soul To Soul.
Paid In Full
This 2002 film loosely tells the story of New York drug dealers Azie Faizon, Rich Porter, and Alpo Martinez. The film stars actors Wood Harris, Meki Phifer, and Harlem rapper Cam’ron.
The story follows the rise and fall of each character during the violent drug wars in New York during the 1980s. Many rappers have referenced either Faizon, Porter, or Martinez in rap lyrics.
Hustle & Flow
The 2005 film Hustle & Flow is about a Memphis pimp named DeeJay, played by actor Terrence Howard, who wants to be a rapper after going through a midlife crisis. The film featured several rappers in the movie including Ludacris, Juicy J, DJ Paul, and I-20.
The film won an Oscar for “Best Original Song” for “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp” by Memphis rapper Frayser Boy, Juicy J, and DJ Paul.
Honorable Mention: ATL
The 2006 film touches on life as a teenager growing up in the inner cities of Atlanta. Rap legend T.I. played the film’s main character.
The film had many rappers in the movie including Outkast member Big Boi, Killer Mike, Big Gipp, Jazze Pha, and Bone Crusher.
DJ Premier Will Celebrate 50 Years Of Hip-Hop Culture With New Album, “Hip-Hop 50 Volume 1”
Legendary producer DJ Premier released an album to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop back in July. The album is called Hip-Hop 50 Volume 1.
