To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hamilton and the upcoming 78th annual Tony Awards, here is our original 2023 episode on the film version of the beloved musical.

In the 2020 film version of the Broadway musical Hamilton, a young and ambitious Alexander Hamilton yearns to write a long-lasting legacy of his own, and of a brand new country in the New World he helped create. Aaron Burr, one of history's great frenemies, stands in his way.

This episode of Hip Hop Movie Club answers the question: Just how revolutionary was the hip-hop infused story and theatrical production of "Hamilton?"

Hamilton on IMDb

Where to Watch: Disney+

Why Hamilton is as frustrating as it is brilliant — and impossible to pin down (Vox)

Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie. Additional music "Thrash Metal" by Muzaproduction / Aleksandr Karabanov from Pixabay.

Don't hate...negotiate!

Our next live event is BEAT STREET on Wednesday June 25 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem PA.

Buy tickets

Check out our live event schedule and more at our Linktree.

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Bluesky

Substack (newsletter)

Website

Mentioned in this episode:

Listener Research Project

We are looking for listeners to participate in a research project to make the Hip Hop Movie Club podcast even better. If you have 20 minutes to talk to us about what you like and don't like about the show, we have some free swag for you. Email us at hiphopmovieclub@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram @hiphopmovieclub if you're interested. Now on with the show.

The 1979 documentary "80 Blocks from Tiffany's" is a fascinating slice-of-life look at two South Bronx gangs, the Savage Skulls and the Savage Nomads. Although this isn't the most hip hop film we've ever discussed, there are some interesting tidbits about the conditions from which hip hop emerged.

• There isn't much plot line or narrative, but the glimpses of how these gangs operated are entertaining
• We enjoyed the scenes with local resident Joan Butler
• There are a few examples of hip hop elements - can you spot them?
• If you do watch this film, watch Rubble Kings after

Our episode on Rubble Kings

Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie.

Don't hate...pontificate!

Our next live event is BEAT STREET on Wednesday June 25 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem PA.

Buy tickets

Check out our live event schedule and more at our Linktree.

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Bluesky

Substack (newsletter)

Website

Mentioned in this episode:

Listener Research Project

We are looking for listeners to participate in a research project to make the Hip Hop Movie Club podcast even better. If you have 20 minutes to talk to us about what you like and don't like about the show, we have some free swag for you. Email us at hiphopmovieclub@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram @hiphopmovieclub if you're interested. Now on with the show.

Ever wonder how hip-hop was actually born? "Rubble Kings" takes us back to the 1970s South Bronx, a neighborhood abandoned by the city and ruled by more than 100 street gangs engaged in all-out turf wars. After the shocking murder of peace counselor Black Benji in 1971, something remarkable happened—rival gang leaders met at the historic Hoe Avenue Peace Meeting and decided to put down their weapons.

What followed was amazing: former enemies started throwing block parties instead of punches, and from those streets of transformation came the beats, rhymes, and moves we now call hip-hop. Through incredible archival footage and stories told by the gang members themselves, we witness how creativity flourished in the most unlikely place.

• ☠️ A Product of the Environment: The 1970s South Bronx, plagued by urban decay and government abandonment, had over 100 street gangs with approximately 11,000 members who controlled nearly every neighborhood
• 🎥 Cinematic Influence: The real-life Bronx gangs documented in "Rubble Kings" directly inspired films like "The Warriors"
• ☮️ The Hoe Avenue Peace Meeting: A historic 1971 gang peace treaty following Black Benji's murder transformed street battles into block parties
• 🎤 Origins of Hip-Hop: The violent gang culture of 1970s South Bronx created the breeding ground for hip-hop's birth
• 4️⃣ The Four Elements Connection: When territorial violence subsided, gang energy evolved into the four elements of hip-hop: DJing, MCing, breaking, and graffiti

Power-Fuerza, the Ghetto Brothers' 1972 album

Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie.

Don't hate...graduate!

Our next live event is WE WANT THE FUNK on Wed May 28, a film screening and discussion at Lower Macungie Library. Register for free.

Check out our live event schedule and more at our Linktree.

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Bluesky

Substack (newsletter)

Website

Mentioned in this episode:

Listener Research Project

We are looking for listeners to participate in a research project to make the Hip Hop Movie Club podcast even better. If you have 20 minutes to talk to us about what you like and don't like about the show, we have some free swag for you. Email us at hiphopmovieclub@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram @hiphopmovieclub if you're interested. Now on with the show.

In honor of the ongoing NBA playoffs, here's an encore presentation of our original episode on Just Wright, starring Queen Latifah and Common.

• Queen Latifah displays why she is on our Mount Rushmore of hip-hop star turned actors
• Common shows that he is a solid actor
• The basketball scenes are just mid
• The plot is quite formulaic and predictable, but hey, it's a rom-com!
• There are a couple actresses whose skills and experience are underutilized: Pam Grier and Phylicia Rashad.

A tribute to Stuart Scott

Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie.

Don't hate...articulate!

Join us on May 28 at 6pm at the Lower Macungie Library for a WE WANT THE FUNK screening and discussion by us. Register now!

And join us on June 25 at 7:15pm at SteelStacks for a screening of BEAT STREET. Come early for a throwback set by DJ ARM 18 at 6:45. Buy tickets now!

Check out our live event schedule and more at our Linktree.

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Bluesky

Substack (newsletter)

Website

Mentioned in this episode:

Listener Research Project

We are looking for listeners to participate in a research project to make the Hip Hop Movie Club podcast even better. If you have 20 minutes to talk to us about what you like and don't like about the show, we have some free swag for you. Email us at hiphopmovieclub@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram @hiphopmovieclub if you're interested. Now on with the show.

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.

• This movie's wild, not-for-the-faint-of-heart ride
• The gold mine of '90s Hip Hop jams
• Shameik Moore: dynamic leading man
• Rick Famuyiwa gifts us a tribute to Hip Hop culture, as he did with Brown Sugar.
• A powerful social message about stereotyping based on socioeconomic status

Our episode on Brown Sugar

Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie.

Don't hate...graduate!

Join us on May 28th at the Lower Macungie Library for a screening and panel discussion of We Want the Funk, the new documentary from PBS. Go to lowermaclib.org to register.

Check out our live event schedule and more at our Linktree.

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Bluesky

Substack (newsletter)

Website

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.

The film's screenwriter, Barry Michael Cooper, passed away in January at the age of 66.

Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie.

Don't hate...meditate!

Our next live event is on May 28: a screening of We Want the Funk, the new PBS documentary, plus panel discussion by us at the Lower Macungie Library. Free to attend, register now at the LML website. Shout out to PBS39 for their support of the event.

Check out our live event schedule and more at our Linktree.

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Bluesky

Substack (newsletter)

Website

Mentioned in this episode:

Listener Research Project

We are looking for listeners to participate in a research project to make the Hip Hop Movie Club podcast even better. If you have 20 minutes to talk to us about what you like and don't like about the show, we have some free swag for you. Email us at hiphopmovieclub@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram @hiphopmovieclub if you're interested. Now on with the show.

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.

Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie.

Our live event schedule and more at our Linktree.

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Bluesky

Substack (newsletter)

Website

Mentioned in this episode:

Listener Research Project

We are looking for listeners to participate in a research project to make the Hip Hop Movie Club podcast even better. If you have 20 minutes to talk to us about what you like and don't like about the show, we have some free swag for you. Email us at hiphopmovieclub@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram @hiphopmovieclub if you're interested. Now on with the show.

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.

• 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 collective.
• Once Upon a Time in Shaolin: A unique marketing ploy in which RZA enabled Cilvaringz to produce a single copy of a secret, unreleased album caused great controversy.
• Life is short: We see a theme of appreciating the blessings that life has afforded the Wu-Tang Clan.
• Family: Through the entire journey, the Wu-Tang clan has been a family and support system for one another.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie.

Don't hate...DOMINATE!

Our next live event is our Hustle & Flow screening in 4K on Thu Apr 24 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem!

Buy tickets

Check out our live event schedule and more at our Linktree.

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Bluesky

Substack newsletter

Website

Mentioned in this episode:

Listener Research Project

We are looking for listeners to participate in a research project to make the Hip Hop Movie Club podcast even better. If you have 20 minutes to talk to us about what you like and don't like about the show, we have some free swag for you. Email us at hiphopmovieclub@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram @hiphopmovieclub if you're interested. Now on with the show.