THIS IS THE LIFE, Award Winning Documentary

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THIS IS THE LIFE

"Upon watching this film, a time-honored hip hop statement rings loudly - 'If you don't know, now you know.' This is a story that has been missing from our cultural consciousness. THIS IS THE LIFE is exceptional, a documentary not to be forgotten."

Chuck D, Public Enemy

A fascinating, head-bobbing look at the birth of LAs hip hop scene. If you missed the movement, dont miss this film.

Gina Prince-Bythewood, Director, The Secret Life of Bees,

Love and Basketball.

In 1989, a collective of young artists gathered at a storefront health food cafe in South Central LA. Their mandate? To explore the musical boundaries of hip hop and reject gangster rap.

While their innovations have yielded billions of dollars for the recording industry, the Good Life emcees have toiled in relative obscurity in the United States. But much like their jazz heroes of a bygone era, these street poets have garnered a rabid and musically sophisticated fan base abroad, with a cult-like following worldwide.

Directed by Ava DuVernay, THIS IS THE LIFE, chronicles the rise and fall of this family of artists, while examining their obstacles to commercial success. They all took different paths but remain connected by the music they made, the alternative hip hop movement they developed, and their unmistakable influence on the art form.

THIS IS THE LIFE features revealing interviews and profiles with some of hip hops most influential luminaries such as Jurassic 5, Freestyle Fellowship, Cut Chemist, Pigeon John, 2Mex, Medusa and many more.

Opening in Los Angeles on March 11, 2009

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• interview
• filmmaker
• reel
• trailer

[rievans57]

Back in the early 90's I was part of a rap duo called "Complex". I was MC Solid-E and my partner in rhyme was Wizzum. We got on stage at the Good Life Cafe and performed a song entitled "My Mind Wants Peace". The Rodney King Incident set our souls as well as the country on fire. I'll never forget that night we performed. The place was packed and we showed world our art form. Long live Hip Hop music.

[neonnsteel]

very cool and somewhat inspirational.

[SoundbombSoldier]

lets hope that vid inspires younger cats to do do the same

[KriterionTV]

Best documetary I've seen on underground hip-hop to date.

[stylezNout]

where can I watch the full version

[rufiolostboy]

@undeniable420

Do you mean CVE - Calistylics? It´s on Youtube. Check it out.

[undeniable420]

can someone tell me what is the name of the song of the original hip hop exercise that jay z stole the idea from

[Muzik444]

10 points to anyone who can tell me exactly what Chali 2na says at @1:57...?

[Unthugged]

@Unthugged

its sach "la to ny jump"

[Unthugged]

ya gotta go joe, ya gotta go.

[NOTIQRADIO]

first time i went to the Good Life i saw Abstract Rude. dude had the dancers with the chinese rice pattie hats on. i remember when fat joe got booed... he was wack as hell. he was like "Fuck yall!" lol