It says something about how far Ice-T has come since his gangsta rap days that his directorial debut, the hip-hop documentary Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap, premiered at Sundance to a house packed with hip-hop heads and white older moviegoers who likely know Ice better from Law & Order: SVU than ?New Jack Hustler.? And it says something about the film itself, which explores the historical landscape of hip-hop in intimate detail with over 40 of Ice-T?s fellow rappers, that even the L&O-watching grandmas in the audience were bopping their heads the whole way through.
Taking a fresh approach to the music documentary, The Art of Rap sees Ice-T as a tour guide of sorts, navigating the viewer through home and studio visits with fellow MCs on both coasts as he has wide-ranging discussions about the roots of rap, what hip-hop means, and the skills and talent required of a truly great MC. (Among the hip-hop titans appearing in the film: Chuck D, Grandmaster Caz, Afrika Bambaataa, KRS-One, Melle Mel, B-Real, Mos Def, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, MC Lyte, Q-Tip, Redman, Immortal Technique, Nas, Common, and Kanye West.) As he travels from New York City to Los Angeles -- with a detour to Detroit to see Eminem, described as one of the greatest rappers of all time -- Ice asks his subjects to spit ?something no one?s ever heard before,? resulting in a tapestry of astounding, off the dome freestyles and rare rhymes from some of the best rappers alive.
With the intention of keeping the film feeling fresh and present, Ice-T forgoes include archival or concert footage as he revisits hip-hop?s colorful past, a choice that turns The Art of Rap into something of a communal, if…
Giuliana DePandi Giulianna Ramirez Grace Park Gretha Cavazzoni Gwen Stefani Halle Berry Hayden Panettiere Haylie Duff
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