American Rap Stars

A documentary overview of the contemporary hip hop music scene (including rap), American Rap Stars compiles interviews with many of the genre's current and up-and-coming performers, and other insiders and celebrities, such as rapper Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, Cedric the Entertainer, Jadakiss, Ludacris, and Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin (the founders of Def Jam Productions). Topics discussed include the effects of 9/11 on music, hip hop as an escape from hood life, various styles, major mentors (Tupac Shakur is acclaimed for his stringent work ethic), and the upsides and downsides of the industry. Not surprisingly, the dialogue is laced with conversational profanity and derogatory terms, amidst the upbeat ranting and "flowing" (impromptu rapping), as the cameras travel from New York City to the Hollywood Rock Walk induction for hip hop pioneers Run DMC (which recently disbanded following the murder of Jam Master Jay), as well as an Orange County concert with Outkast, and a London publicity trip with Onyx (a duo that are hands down the most pretentious and uncouth contributors here). Covering extensive ground both geographically and musically, while also touching on the fading East and West Coast feuds, the film's pluses of a bumping soundtrack and exclusive footage of today's hottest stars are somewhat offset by the loose structure and shaky camerawork (the cameraperson must have been standing in the path of the mind-altering smoke generated by the numerous participants who partook). Sure to be popular, this program is likely to appeal to a more technologically upscale young audience, and is therefore particularly recommended on (much lower priced) DVD. Aud: C, P. (J. Williams)