Hip-hop videos are a staple on TV, but for years, underground hip-hop artists and labels have been involved in releasing longer films. Some of these have been mostly collections of hip-hop videos, while others have examined the scene more in-depth. Here are four underground hip-hop documentaries that go beyond plain collections of hip-hop videos.
Style Wars (1983): Before hip-hop videos became a staple on MTV, the world of underground hip-hop was still alien to many. This documentary traces the early breakdancing, MCing, and graffiti scenes in New York, the birthplace of hip-hop.
It was also accompanied by a graffiti photo book of the same name. Live hip-hop videos are combined with interviews and footage from the main characters’ day-to-day lives.
The Show (1995): This big-budget release starring Def Jam founder Russell Simmons was also a hit in theaters. It combined hip-hop videos culled from electric live footage and interviews with some of the biggest names of the time. In it, artists like Dr. Dre, the Notorious B.I.G., and Method Man speak on their journey from the underground hip-hop world to stardom.
Death of an Indie Label (2011): This underground hip-hop movie is unusual in a couple respects. First, it is one of the few to examine a facet of the Detroit underground hip-hop scene in depth. Second, it was uploaded completely onto YouTube by its makers.
The film follows the rise and fall of pioneering Detroit horrorcore rapper Esham and his independent record label, Reel Life Productions. The film combines hip-hop videos by Esham and his artists from the ’90s as well as new interviews that document the personal successes and struggles of Esham and the label’s CEO, James Smith.
A Family Underground (2009): A Family Underground is somewhat related to the above film in that it also examines another side of the Detroit underground hip-hop scene. A Family Underground focuses instead on the Insane Clown Posse and the subculture of its enthusiastic fans, known as juggalos.
The film follows a couple attending the annual Gathering of the Juggalos underground hip-hop and rock festival. Live hip-hop videos, interviews, and fly-on-the-wall type footage combine to turn A Family Underground into almost a sociological narrative.
A Family Underground was released straight to DVD but has sold briskly thanks to its devoted fans. In fact, A Family Underground is the second documentary to be released by ICP’s Psychopathic Records. The first was Shockumentary, in 1997. But where that film focused solely on ICP, A Family Underground examines more the family-like fandom culture surrounding the group.