The much-hyped biopic on the life of legendary rapper Christopher Wallace (aka "The Notorious B.I.G." and "Biggie Smalls") hits screens this Friday. Newcomer Jamal Woolard is receiving strong critical praise for his portrayal of the iconic rapper, who was gunned down in Los Angeles at the age of 24 in a case that remains unsolved today.
Notorious looks to be another feather in the cap of the hip-hop movie genre, which is only about a quarter-of-a-century old. Biopics like 8 Mile -- and rapper-star-driven vehicles such as Boyz N the Hood, New Jack City, and Juice -- have elevated the hip-hop movie genre and created a credible repertoire of entries in a very short time period.
Outside of A Hard Day's Night, Tommy, and concert films, rockers by comparison haven't managed to deliver as much quality movie material in twice the time.
So today we're going to have a look at the many highlights in the Hip-Hop movie genre. Hopefully, you'll find a few favorites on the list -- and maybe even discover an underrated classic like Wild Style, Fear of a Black Hat, or ATL.
Early '80s Breakdance/Graffitti/Hip-Hop Movies
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Rapper Appearances: Grandmaster Flash, Fab 5 Freddy, and other early hip-hop stars.
What's It About?: Docudrama centered around graffitti artist Zoro, who goes from spraying subways to painting the stage for a big rap show
Worth Checking Out?: Definitely. This is the first hip-hop movie and watching it is a great time capsule of the early '80s New York scene.
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Rapper Appearances: Ice-T
What's It About?: In a twist on West Side Story, Ludinda Dickey is a dance student who falls into the breakdance scene and learns some new moves. Save the Last Dance ripped off the plot years later.
Worth Checking Out?: Yes, if you take it with a grain of salt. This is about the dancing rather than the acting, and real-life dancers Shabba-Doo and Boogaloo Shrimp showcase some incredible moves.
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Rapper Appearances: Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Melle Mel & the Furious Five
What's It About?: The East Coast answer to Breakin', this unfocused story is about a young graffitti artist trying to grow up amidst the violence of the early '80s New York underground.
Worth Checking Out?: Not really. Not as much fun as Breakin' and certainly not essential.
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Rapper Appearances: Run D.M.C., Kurtis Blow, L.L. Cool J, The Beastie Boys, The Fat Boys
What's It About?: Who cares? Look at that lineup!
Worth Checking Out?: Just for the who's who of early hip-hop stars and all the great music.
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Hip-Hop Biopics
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Rapper Appearances: Marshall Mathers (aka Eminem)
What's It About?: The rise of white Detroit rapper Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith, which closely parallels that of Eminem
Worth Checking Out?: Arguably the reigning king of hip-hop movies with the best pedigree, including director Curtis Hanson and stars Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, and Mathers, in a strong performance.
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Rapper Appearances: Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent)
What's It About?: A desperate attempt to capitalize on the same 8 Mile formula, 50 Cent's life tale (highlighted by the times he's been shot and lived) is weaved in through fictional rapper Marcus.
Worth Checking Out?: Nope. 50 Cent should leave the acting to labelmate Eminem. Even with Jim Sheridan at the helm, this one falls flat from the start.
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 | ATL (2006)
Rapper Appearances: T.I., Big Boi
What's It About?: The best portrayal of the "Dirty South" hip-hop scene, this coming-of-age story closely parallels the beginnings of producer Dallas Austin and TLC's T-Boz and the legendary Atlanta hip-hop roller rink hangout Jellybeans, renamed Cascade for the film.
Worth Checking Out?: An underrated little film featuring some top-notch drama and a very impressive acting debut from T.I.
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Rapper Appearances: No real cameos, just actors as rap stars
What's It About?: The rise and quick fall of one of rap's greatest MC's (Master of Ceremonies), The Notorious B.I.G.
Worth Checking Out?: Absolutely. Not quite on the level of 8 Mile, but easily heads and tails above Get Rich. Jamal Woolard channels Biggie Smalls in a terrific debut.
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Mockumentaries
 | CB4 (1993)
Rapper Appearances: Eazy-E, Ice-T, Ice Cube, Flavor Flav
What's It About?: A mockumentary parodying gangster rap and, in particular, N.W.A.
Worth Checking Out?: Even Chris Rock can't save this unfunny mess of a film. Fear of a Black Hat (see below) would blow it out of the water a year later.
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Rapper Appearances: No major rappers appear
What's It About?: The mockumentary CB4 wanted to be, Fear is a classic and worthy of being proclaimed the Spinal Tap of rap. Triple talent Rusty Cundieff writes, directs, and stars as Ice Cold, who is one-third of N.W.H. (Niggaz With Hats) along with Tasty Taste and Tone Def.
Worth Checking Out?: I love this movie. Tons of great laughs and a razor-sharp dig on the silly side of gangsta rap. Even the soundtrack is worth picking up. Grab a cup of "Booty Juice" and enjoy!
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Hip-Hop Star Vehicles
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Rapper Appearances: The Fat Boys
What's It About?: The Fat Boys play orderlies for an old billionaire. Need I say more?
Worth Checking Out?: You have to ask? Perhaps -- if you are one of the remaining members of the defunct Fat Boys fan club, you might want to search out a copy to go alongside those copies of Big & Beautiful and Krush on You.
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Rapper Appearances: Kid n' Play, Full Force
What's It About?: The title says it all. Play tries to throw a party and Kid has to sneak out to attend. Hijinks ensue.
Worth Checking Out?: A box-office smash followed with three sequels, the first one is good, silly fun.
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Rapper Appearances: Ice-T
What's It About?: Take Godfather and Scarface and set them in the early '90s Manhattan drug trade. Ice-T goes undercover in the crime underworld to try to take down drug lord on the rise Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes).
Worth Checking Out?: Not essential, but entertaining nevertheless. It's a strong debut from director Mario Van Peebles, and the notoriously inconsistent Snipes creates a classic villain in one of his best performances. This is also the movie that established Ice-T as a credible actor -- in a role no one could have expected.
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Rapper Appearances: Tupac Shakur, Queen Latifah, EPMD, Special Ed, Treach
What's It About?: Tupac stars as Bishop, who tries to upgrade his street cred by getting his crew together to get a gun and commit a robbery.
Worth Checking Out?: Were his life not cut short by a hail of bullets in Las Vegas in 1996, Tupac may well have had a credible second career as an actor. The movie is pretty standard, but the West Coast gangster legend holds his own against professionals Omar Epps and Samuel L. Jackson.
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Rapper Appearances: Ice Cube
What's It About?: A tale of the many pitfalls associated with growing up in South Central Los Angeles in the early '90s, Boyz chronicles three childhood friends and the different paths they choose to either survive or escape the hood.
Worth Checking Out?: An absolute classic of the gangster genre with exceptional performances from the entire cast (including Cube). It's also the calling card of a terrific new directorial talent, John Singleton.
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Rapper Appearances: Outkast's Andre 3000 and Big Boi
What's It About?: Percival (3000) and Rooster (Big Boi) are childhood friends whose lives have moved in very different directions. While Rooster has fought to establish himself within the dangerous world of bootlegging and club management, Percival is fighting to break out and pursue his dreams of being a musician.
Worth Checking Out?: Yes, but only if you have an open mind. This is a hip-hop musical set during prohibition times that's surprisingly well done. It looks great, the music is entertaining, and it's a lot of fun if you don't take things too seriously.
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