Hip Hop Movie Club

In honor of BooGie's birthday on May 10, we're re-releasing our episode on DOPE, one of his personal favorites! If you're of a certain age (a.k.a. GROWN), then Rick Famuyiwa's 2015 film Dope is definitely for you. And even if you're on the younger tip, this is a great homage to what we consider the Golden Age of Hip Hop music and culture. Topics discussed: This movie's wild, not-for-the-faint-of-h...

In honor of the NBA playoffs, here is an encore presentation of our original episode on the 1994 classic Above the Rim, starring Tupac Shakur, Duane Martin, Marlon Wayans, and Leon. Also check out: The film's screenwriter, Barry Michael Cooper, passed away in January at the age of 66. Credits Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie. And rememb...

Welcome to an encore presentation of our original review of Hustle & Flow, starring Terrence Howard, Ludacris, and Taraji P. Henson. If you're in the Lehigh Valley, come to our 4K screening of this cult classic at SteelStacks in Bethlehem on April 24th. Tickets at steelstacks.org or get 'em at the door. Special throwback set by DJ Mike Nyce ! See you there.  Credits Hip Hop Movie Clu...

In Episode 4 of "Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men," we see the group reflecting on 25 years together in the hip-hop game, as well as conflicts over finances and family dynamics. Topics discussed: Reflection: The crew reflects on 25 years together. Financial disputes: The profits from the crew's solo albums caused strains in trust among members, as well as the dominance of the Wu-Tang Clan as a collec...

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussion of sexual violence. On the occasion of the lecture by Dr. Yusef Salaam of The Exonerated Five at Northampton Community College's Annual Humanities Keynote on April 15, we reviewed The Central Park Five , the 2012 documentary by Ken Burns, David McMahon, and Sarah Burns. Also check out: Conviction and exoneration (PBS) Is "Do the Right Thing" as vit...

In Episode 3 of "Of Mics and Men," we see the Wu-Tang Clan reach international fame and glory, but also turbulence as solo aspirations conflict with those of the collective, and we see the untimely passing of Old Dirty Bastard.   Topics discussed: The Takeover The Bliss The Turbulence The Schism The Tragedy Also check out: Our live show and conversation with Rider University professor Mi...

The Wu-Tang Clan rose to fame on their own terms. We'll answer the question: How did they do it?  Episode 2 of "Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men" chronicles the group's meteoric rise following the release of "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)." It also highlights the RZA's revolutionary business model allowing members to pursue solo deals while maintaining the collective, which would lea...

In honor of the upcoming Final Tour by the Wu-Tang Clan, we are discussing their origin story as seen in episode 1 of the 2019 documentary series Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men. Robert Diggs (RZA) and the other members of the Wu-Tang Clan are introduced as survivors of difficult circumstances who found solace in hip-hop, kung fu cinema, and the Five Percent Nation.   Topics discussed: The...

If you watched Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, you saw a diss track in action. We answer the question: What are some of the most memorable diss tracks and rap battles on film? Topics discussed: "South Bronx" and "The Bridge Is Over" LL Cool J vs. Kool Moe Dee Roxanne Shanté vs. UTFO and Roxanne vs. KRS-One Biggie "Who Shot Ya?" vs. 2Pac "Hit 'Em Up" Nas vs. Jay-Z 50 Cent vs....

We're big, big fans of A Tribe Called Quest. So just how impactful were they? Released in 2011 and directed by Michael Rapaport, "Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest" chronicles the influential hip-hop group's journey from their formation in Queens to their rise to prominence and eventual breakup. Topics discussed: 💡 The Power of Innovation in Hip-Hop 🤔 The Complexity of...

In honor of DynoWright's birthday this week and coming off seeing Nas: Time Is Illmatic on the big screen at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA last week, here is a rebroadcast of our original episode on Belly. The 1998 Hype Williams feature film directorial debut starred Nas and DMX. Original show notes: Your HHMCs review the 1998 film Belly, starring DMX, Nas, Taral Hicks, T-Boz, and Metho...

In the documentary Nas: Time Is Illmatic, rapper Nas charts the journey leading up to the recording of his debut album, Illmatic, discussing the influence of his parents and his youth spent in the Queensbridge housing projects. We will be sharing our thoughts on this documentary at the Nas: Time Is Illmatic screening at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, Pa. on February 22nd at 7pm. This is par...

(Here is a lost episode from the back of the vault. Enjoy!) Can the 2023 installment of the Transformers film franchise transform Gen Z into '90s hip-hop fans? Set in 1994, the film follows ex-military tech guru Noah Diaz and a young historian Elena Wallace as they team up with Optimus Prime and the Autobots in a battle for the coveted Transwarp Key, which, if in the hands of the Terrorcons, could...

In honor of our screening of Breakin' at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at SteelStacks tonight is an encore presentation of our original episode on this 1984 classic. Also featured tonight: B-boy demo by BRKN Steel and throwback DJ set by DJ ARM 18! Tickets still available at steelstacks.org .

You Got Served  follows two best friends, Elgin and David, who lead a hip-hop dance crew in LA. They’re passionate about dance and need to raise money to reimburse family and underground associates - and so they enter a high-stakes dance battle competition. The movie highlights their rivalry with a suburban crew and explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. Along the way, Elg...

Hey listener: we're going old school! Here is a rebroadcast of our original episode on Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo in honor of our upcoming screening of Breakin' on February 5, 2025 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. Come join us and see Turbo, Ozone and Special K on the big screen again. Get your tickets now at steelstacks.org . Original show notes: Your HHMCs Boogie, DynoWright and JB vibe...

A lost episode from the Hip Hop Movie Club archives! Grad student Adam is writing a thesis on the n-word. In an attempt to do good research, he goes to rap battles to observe. Soon he's no longer an observer, but a newcomer battle rapper with bars of his own. Quickly, he makes a name for himself and the stakes get higher with each line. And in the heat of battle, he has some decisions to make abou...

Last Holiday follows Georgia Byrd, played by Queen Latifah, a shy, hardworking department store clerk who discovers she has a terminal illness and decides to spend her remaining days living life to the fullest. Trading her modest routine for a luxurious European adventure, she embraces fine dining, daring adventures, and inspires others around her to rethink their priorities. Packed with heart, hu...

Happy holidays to all! Here is an rebroadcast of our 2022 episode on The Hip Hop Nutcracker. As we've said previously, rest in power to Stephen "tWitch" Boss. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has  concerns about their mental health , there are ways to get help:  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help If you're in a crisis, call or text 988...

It's the Holiday Season (again), so hippity hop and hoppity hip, and don't forget to wear your best drip! Yo Yo Yo! Merry Christmas! We have a special holiday treat for the HHMC listeners. Is Dashing Through the Snow Ludacris-ly good? Or just aight? Originally released December 15, 2023 Credits Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMC's: Boogie, JB and DynoWright! Theme music by Boogie. Our nex...

New to Hip Hop Movie Club? This video will get you caught up on our biggest year yet! Credits Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie. And remember: Don't hate...appreciate! Our next live event is Wed Feb 5 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem: Breakin' Buy tickets now! Check out our live event schedule and more at our Linktree . Hip Hop Movie Club on:...

"Friday After Next" takes us to Christmas time in South Central LA with Craig (Ice Cube) and Day-Day (Mike Epps), two cousins who just can't catch a break. Their holiday season kicks off with a bang when a ghetto Santa Claus (Rickey Smiley) raids their apartment, stealing their rent money AND their presents. The boys take jobs as security guards at an urban strip mall to make their rent money back...

We hosted a panel discussion after our screening of Boyz N the Hood at SteelStacks, featuring Vernard James, Andrew McIntosh, and Ali Akarcesme. (Nandini Sikand was unavailable at the last minute.) On February 5, we will be screening Breakin' at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at SteelStacks. Tickets available at SteelStacks.org Check out our live event schedule and more . More About Hip Hop Movi...

Both are important Hip Hop films, but is one more relevant to today's times than the other? The HHMCs discuss! Our original episode on Do the Right Thing Our original episode on Boyz N the Hood How much are the homes in the Boyz N the Hood 'hood today?  (TikTok) Our screening of Boyz n the Hood in 4K is tonight, November 13! Join us at SteelStacks in Bethlehem and hear from a panel of profess...

We are joined by Mickey Hess, professor and author of several Hip Hop-related books to talk about the Hip Hop artists that have performed at Rider over the years. Hess himself has brought many of them to campus, including legends like Masta Ace and Rah Digga. More from Mickey Hess On November 13, we will be screening Boyz n the Hood in 4K at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at SteelStacks, followe...