If you are anything like many heads in Hip-Hop circles, you probably believe that Hip-Hop saved your life just as I do. It also saved Ice-T’s life and with the new movie the world will see why Hip-Hop saved so many lives.
Ice-T’s directorial debut is Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap. With over 50 emcees in the film, Ice takes on a journey from the birthplace of Hip-Hop at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx to California and it’s all love. In Ice’s own words, “This film is like The Avengers of Hip-Hop.” And the legendary Casanova Fly aka Grandmaster Caz said, “Hip-Hop didn’t invent anything, Hip-Hop reinvented everything.”
If you were ever in the need of a history lesson on the craft of Hip-Hop, this film is a must see.
Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap premiered at LincolnCenter’s Tulley Hall Theater on May 12th. The star studded event brought out the likes of legends like Melle Mel of The Furious Five, Grandmaster Caz of The Cold Crush Brother’s fame, Drita from Mob Wives, Busta Rhymes and DJ Enufffrom NYC’s Hot 97. Mama Jones from Love and Hip-Hop was in the building as well.
Ice had every artist in the film speak on the craft of the art form. There is no ass shaking or gobs of jewelry, fast cars, or showing off money in this film. Ice stripped away all the glamour and glitz of the Hip-Hop industry and stuck to the simple basics. It’s all about the craft and for any true Hip-Hop head it will always be about the craft.
Everyone from Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Ice Cube, Rass Kass, Rakim, Nas, Dana Dane, Common, Xzibit, Kanye West, Marley Marl, Big Daddy Kane and about 40 other emcees were all in the film.
Ice opened up the festivities by saying, “I wanted to make a film about the craft so I called all my friends and it wasn’t until then I noticed how many friends I had. I asked them all to participate in the movie and I wanted them to talk about the craft of Hip-Hop and they all said nobody ever asks that question. When we were done filming I had over 6 hours of footage so I couldn’t put everyone in the film but when the directors cut comes out you will all get to see everyone who played a part in making this film.”
Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap also covered every element of Hip-Hop. The DJ where it all originated from to the graffiti writers, to the b-boys like Crazy Legs from the original Rock Steady Crew, down to the emcee and of course the 5th element which in the words of the legendary Afrika Bambaataa is, “The Knowledge.”
Kool Herc stated, “This is where it all started” as he stood in front of the building he grew up in at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx. Afrika Bambaataa would come along as a former high ranking gang member and create the name Hip-Hop and The Zulu Nation. Zulu was all about love, peace, unity and having fun as Bambaataa has stated for years. When certain companies wanted to purchase the building with the intent of kicking out the tenants, Kool Herc fought the good fight to save the building. Herc was even quoted as saying, “This is a great moment for 1520 Sedgwick Avenue… this is a historic site. This is where Hip-Hop comes from.”
For Hip-Hop, this film is a great moment. It encompasses everything that Hip-Hop is and will always be. It’s all about the craft.
If you are anything like many heads in Hip-Hop circles, you probably believe that Hip-Hop saved your life just as I do. It also saved Ice-T’s life and with the new movie the world will see why Hip-Hop saved so many lives.
