Last week, Yo! Raps was invited to the European premiere of Ice-T's new documentary Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap. It was an incredible night for those who attended, which not only included a screening of the film but also performances from Hip-Hop legends such as Ice-T, Melle Mel, Chuck D, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah.

The film features Ice-T talking to numerous masters of the art form discussing its origins and exploring the process of writing rhymes and in the process treating the audience to some incredible freestyles and acapella performances, personal favourites of which include Joe Budden, Eminem, Mos Def, KRS-One and Chino XL.

Ice-T, making his directorial debut, done an impressive job on a documentary that if executed incorrectly could of merely came across as 2 hours of simultaneous interviews with musicians. Instead gripping and thought provoking, The Art Of Rap through its interviews seamlessly documents Hip-Hop’s story through the art form’s greats.

On the red carpet prior to the screening, Yo! Raps spoke to Public Enemy’s Chuck D who highlighted the documentary's importance of educating those who are misled about the much aligned genre of Hip-Hop. "It’s important to understand the basics before they even say the words, the people need to be informed," said Chuck D.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five legend Melle Mel also paid tribute to the genre’s pioneers. "Hip-Hop in its purest form is the best type of Hip-Hop that you could ever hear. Ice-T's a friend, he said he was doing the movie and that he wanted me in it. I like and respect him as a person so straight away we got it done!"

Yo! Raps also caught up with Wu-Tang’s Raekwon who spoke passionately about the importance of rap music. "Hip-Hop has given me everything. It’s that feeling that it gave me, it’s that passion before the paper. The film is going to blow your mind! Based on Ice-T's knowledge of Hip-Hop you are going to see what it meant to a lot of the legends. All their doing is telling it from a perspective that's the truth, not fabricated. I wish we could do the movie in 50 languages because people need to know about it!"

Following the screening, the audience was then treated to an incredible moment when Melle Mel, Chuck D, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Ice-T all took to the stage to perform several of their hits. Those leaving the premiere were leaving refreshed, inspired and reminded of the importance of this incredible genre!

Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap is out now in cinemas across Europe.

- By J David