There are 5 boroughs in New York, namely Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Staten Island was formerly known as the Borough of Richmond until the name change in 1975. Water separates Staten Island from the other four boroughs and it is sometimes referred to as the forgotten borough.
This documentary is presented in three parts and serves as a time capsule regarding Staten Island’s contributions and significance in hip hop. This documentary serves as a detailed anatomy of specifics. The Force MDs are credited as the first Hip Hop Group to Shed Light on Staten Island. Not only were they hip-hop, but the group contained unforgettable singers. Hits such as Tender Love, Forgive Me Girl, Tears, I Wanna Know Your Game and Itchin for a Scratch are just a few of their unforgettable impact on Music as a whole.
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The Stop The Violence Movement Project, led by KRS One, is mentioned in this documentary as having received contributions from Staten Island, despite the fact that KRS One is from the Bronx. The documentary reveals that there was a specific criterion for artists to participate in the project, which was that they had to have addressed the issues of drugs and crime.
Shyheim (pictured) was once considered a rising star, transitioning from being an MC to acting and starring in TLC’s iconic “Waterfalls” video. He was highly sought after due to his incredible talent. UMC also deserves recognition for their iconic record “Blue Cheese” before the emergence of the Wu-Tang Clan. The Wu-Tang Clan is undeniably one of the most influential groups in hip-hop. Their success and impact on the scene have yet to be matched, partly attributed to the stability and unity within the group. Additionally, the individual talent of each member, including Raekwon, Ghostface, Method Man, ODB, Inspectah Deck, Gza, RZA, Cappadonna, and U God, is truly remarkable.
This documentary is an eye-opener and an inspirational piece of work beautifully put together, touching on not just hip hop but the struggles of a community dealing with social and economic issues, racial tension, drugs, crime and murder, but also leaves a very positive note when you look at what an isolated borough has contributed to a voice and culture of a generation. A very inspirational and enlightening experience worth checking out if you’re a lover of music history as a whole, but a necessity for a true hip-hop lover or enthusiast.
Part 2 of this documentary still carries weight and follows on from where part one ended. Although it does not pack the impactful punch as Part 1, the actual and factual basis of this documentary will be a fair explanation for this. This documentary concentrates on the arrival of Staten Island in Hip Hop.
It highlights their exceptional achievements not only in music, but also in branding with products like Wu Wear, and the global impact of their presence. The use of Kung Fu/Karate sound effects in their music, as well as the unique packaging of the WU brand, is emphasized. The solo projects of Raekwon’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx” and Ghostface Killah’s “Ironman” are specifically mentioned for their vividness and depth of content. The text also mentions the overlooked contribution of Inspectah Deck, who is described by Method Man as one of his favorite MCs and is considered underrated by the industry.
I’m a huge fan of hip hop, and I think it’s fair to say that there’s a lot of great talent in the genre. Sometimes, though, it feels like there are so many talented artists that some of them get overlooked. For example, Inspectah Deck’s verse was cut from a track on 2 PAC’s All Eyez on Me album (Got My Mind Made Up). Even though you can hear his vocals on the track, it’s a missed opportunity to see him collaborating outside of the Wu-Tang Clan.
There are also references to the Triumph music video by the Wu and its staggering $1 Million budget which was a first of its kind. The video was directed by Brett Ratner Pre the Rush Hour movies which many hip-hop fans may not be aware of. If you’re not a fan of hip-hop, you may be somewhat lost watching this as a stand-alone documentary. However, if you’re trying to widen your scope on the knowledge of hip hop, starting from Part 1 will make Part 2 much easier to digest.
Part 3 is the concluding part of this fascinating documentary. Although not as impactful as 1 and 2. This 3rd part is very significant. It references other Staten Island contributors. A Dancer for LL Cool J, Kwame, and Partners in Crime. If you were around or a fan during this time frame, you’ll remember when you see the reference clips. There are still more references to Wu. Why you may ask? Because of how they took the industry by storm, how they made the industry sit up and pay attention. How each member was able to branch out obtaining solo deals of their own and have been repeatedly imitated but never duplicated.
Such documentaries are needed to highlight the unsung heroes who are rarely mentioned or celebrated. This documentary acknowledges such individuals. Sometimes, viewers may feed into the celebrity presence in order for a documentary to be of interest to them. In this documentary, it’s more about the reference points and the authenticity of those reference points, points of view and evidence-based references.
This documentary clearly defines Wu as the biggest hip-hop export from Staten Island.
One extremely important element of this documentary is that it sheds light on how much the successful ones have helped and given back to others from Staten Island. Something that many fans of the genre may not be aware of. But some, to the contrary, believe fellow Staten Islanders could do more to help elevate one another. The concluding part of this documentary, as well as all three parts, provides a positive spin and perspective on hip-hop. It’s refreshing considering the genre’s notoriety over time. While we know this perspective isn’t entirely true, this documentary is unique. It serves as a valuable educational piece about hip-hop culture that deserves all the exploration, support, promotion, and viewership it can get.
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The documentary series is now available on digital, from Breaking Glass Pictures
Movie Rating: 4 stars.
Movie Rating Guide
1 Star = Unwatchable
2 Stars = Cannot Recommend
3 Stars = Great for the Fans
4 Stars = A Solid Movie
5 Stars = Must Own (DVD/Stream Download)
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I loved it. Very well done. I love seeing so many people that I grew up with, talk about a time and a place that I was privileged enough to witness. It made me very proud to be from Staten Island and even more proud being from Park Hill.