Full Frame Film Festival Report: Beyond Beats and Rhymes

This weekend, I had the good fortune to attend the Full Frame Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina. There were a number of good documentaries shown at this international festival, but one that stuck out to me was Byron Hurt's "Beyond Beats and Rhymes: A Hip-Hop Head Weighs in on Manhood in Rap Music."

This documentary really touched on some of the misogynistic and homophobic issues found in a lot of popular Hip-Hop music.  The documentary does a good job of distinguishing between the conscious Hip-Hop artists and those who use exploitative lyrics and references to "sell more records."

I can't do justice to this film in this small space, but Mr. Hurt's focus on the portrayal of black manhood in Hip-Hop suggests that these images of "manhood" are actually over exaggerated and detrimental to many of the individuals who may follow these molds. 

The film includes guests such as Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Russell Simmons, Chuck D, Micheal Eric Dyson and a number of other celebrity commentators.  This is one of my favorite movies of this year and I recommend that everyone attempt to find a copy of this film.

Check out Byron Hurt's website.

Outkast's Idlewild Trailer

Outkast is starring in a new movie called Idlewild which will include songs from their previous albums as well as never before heard songs.

Bryan Barber, director of many Outkast videos, has been assigned to direct the film. Some of the talent in the film include Bruce Bruce, Patti LaBelle, Ving Rhames, Cicely Tyson and a number of other celebritieis

Check out the trailer here

Three 6 Mafia Wins A Key To the City of Memphis

Three 6 Mafia received a Key to the City of Memphis because they were the first hip-hop ensemble ever to win an Oscar for Best Original song.  This song was found on 2005's "Hustle & Flow." 

See the earlier post "Does Hip-Hop Promote a Culture of Death?":  Do you think that Three 6 Mafia should receive a key to one of the blues capitals in the world?

Hoopz in a Music Video?

Ok, so Hoopz of Flavor of Love Fame appeared in this "Latin Dance" music video which is making its way around the Internet.



Click here to check it out.

Apparently, Hoopz is actually a model (slash) actresses (slash) reality tv star?