Kings of Hip Hop: The Founders

It's hard to imagine, but there was a time--back in the day, you might say, meaning some 20 years ago--when hip-hop wasn't primarily about sampling, bling-bling, and unrestrained violence, misogyny and profanity; a time when guys (and some girls) simply got onstage with little more than a beat and a turntable and rapped their butts off, as opposed to grabbing their crotches and showing off their tats. Kings of Hip Hop: The Founders is an entertaining celebration of that pre-gangsta era, with three legendary performers appearing for a reunion concert recorded in 2003 in New York: Kurtis Blow, whose “The Breaks” (which is not included here) is credited as being the first rap single to be certified gold, Crash Crew, and Afrika Bambaataa & Sonic Soul Force, the latter two acts featuring rotating crews of freestyle rappers. Sure, there's a lot of “Yo, check this out,” “for real” and “a-ight?” nonsense (mostly from the annoying dude who introduces the acts), and plenty of boasting (it was ever thus), but when Afrika Bambaataa launches into an extended “Planet Rock,” with the stage crammed with audience members (including a number of very fly and uninhibited young women) dancing and rockin', the vibe is contagious. And while this isn't something that would play on, say, Romper Room, you could take out the occasional “motherfucker” and still end up with a show (boomin' in Dolby Digital 5.1 or stereo sound) that wouldn't cause near as much stir as, say, Super Bowl halftime entertainment. DVD extras include additional interview footage and a bonus CD. Recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)