documentary Archives

Too Hard to Swallow: An All-Star Documentary Tribute to UGK (Video)

Yesterday marked the 20th Anniversary of the release of UGK's Too Hard to Swallow. To celebrate the album's release and UGK, generally, here's a dope documentary featuring Big Boi, Freddie Gibbs, Talib Kweli, Rapsody, Killer Mike, Lupe Fiasco, People Under the Stairs, Waka Flocka Flame, A$AP Rocky, Brother Ali, Yasiin... Read more

November 11, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Xzibit – Close Up Documentary (Video)

Here's a dope mini-documentary on Xzibit. It takes you through the story of his life before hip-hop, shows footage of him on tour and gives a glimpse of his preparation for the release of his new album Napalm. Check out Xzibit: Close Up. Related: Xzibit – Enjoy the Night ft... Read more

October 9, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Becoming: Nas (Video)

UPDATE: Part 2 is included below. Here's part 1 of a really dope mini-documentary on Nas. It features behind the scenes footage of him preparing to perform, interview footage, stories of his beginnings (watching MC Shan perform, Queensbridge, meeting Large Professor) and more. If you're a Nas fan, you need... Read more

October 1, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap (Full Video)

We've posted a lot of content over the last few months from Ice-T's documentary Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap. Now, you can watch the whole film which features extensive interviews with Redman, Eminem, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Nas, Q-Tip, DJ Premier, Chuck D, Afrika Bambaataa, KRS-One and... Read more

September 14, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

DMX – Undisputed Short Film (Video)

DMX has long been one of the most enigmatic artists in hip-hop. Here's a short film that gives a window into the present day life of Dark Man X. Check it out. His new album Undisputed drops on Tuesday. Related: DMX – Sh*t Don’t Change ft Snoop Dogg (Audio)... Read more

September 9, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Busta Rhymes – Life & Rhymes Documentary (Video)

Busta Rhymes is often overlooked in conversations about the all-time greats, but the bombastic MC has been pushing the envelope in hip-hop (sonically and visually) for 23 years strong. Here's a 21 minute documentary that covers the entire career of the dungeon dragon. Check it out below. Related: Busta Rhymes... Read more

August 14, 2012 Video

Rakim: The Definition of a Classic documentary. Prepare to be taken on a journey through the music and impact of Rakim Allah, the God MC (Video)

Here's an incredibly well done mini-documentary on Rakim by Complex and Reebok Classic. It features tons of great historical photos and video footage, as well as sharp commentary from Bill Adler, DJ Premier, Noah Callahan-Bever (EIC of Complex) and Rakim himself. Props: 2DBZ Related: Video playlist celebrating the 25th Anniversary... Read more

July 13, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

The Beat Junkies – For The Record documentary (Video)

Here's the full documentary that celebrates the World Famous Beat Junkies' 20th Anniversary. It features interview from other legendary DJs, including DJ Jazzy Jeff. Check it out below. Related: Watch Scratch, a doucumentary on turntablism (Full Video) http://vimeo.com/44995287... Read more

July 2, 2012 Video

Prince – The Glory Days documentary (Full Video)

If someone told me there could be a good Prince documentary without his music, I would not believe it. I stand corrected...Here's an in-depth look at His Royal Badness in a UK documentary called The Glory Days. It features extensive interviews with key players in Prince's career during his first... Read more

June 25, 2012 Video

For The Record: The Beat Junkies 20th Anniversary Documentary Trailer (Video)

The Beat Junkies DJ Collective will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary next month. As part of the celebration, they will be releasing a documentary tracking their 20-year history that features the likes of DJ Jazzy Jeff and other legendary DJs. Here's a trailer for the film which will be released... Read more

June 25, 2012 Video

Eve – Reebok Classics Mini-Documentary (Video)

Here's a dope mini-documentary about Eve, the first lady of Ruff Ryders, from Reebok Classics. Check it out below. Related: Playlist dedicated to women in hip-hop (Audio) and full version of My Mic Sounds Nice, BET's documentary on women in hip-hop (Video)... Read more

June 13, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

9th Wonder – The Wonder Year documentary sneak preview (Video)

Here's a look at the first 8 minutes of The Wonder Year, the documentary chronicling a year in the life of 9th Wonder. The Wonder Year is now available on DVD. Check out the video below. Related: 9th Wonder - The Harvard Fellow documentary preview (Video)... Read more

June 13, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Here’s a cool look at a day in the life of Questlove that was produced by Hulu. Check it out below (Video)

Props: 2DBZ Related: Best of The Legendary Roots Crew (Playlist)... Read more

May 20, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Ice-T directed a documentary about hip-hop that is setting the film festival world on fire. It features a who’s who of MCs who have contributed to the culture from KRS-ONE to Eminem to Big Daddy Kane to Ice Cube to Q-Tip to…the list goes on and on. Here’s a preview of the documentary, called Something From Nothing (Video)

Related: Big Daddy Kane, Jazzy Jeff, Kendrick Lamar, 9th Wonder, Freddie Gibbs, Stic Man and more discuss their first experiences with hip-hop (Video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhwBUydknWI... Read more

April 13, 2012 Video

Statik Selektah and Termanology collaborated as 1982 to release one of the best albums of 2010. We caught up with each of them to talk about their earliest experiences with hip-hop. Check out the videos below where each discusses Where It All Began for him in hip-hop.

Statik Selektah Statik Selektah is one of the hardest working and illest producers around. Made in the mold of legendary producers like DJ Premier and Pete Rock, his tracks have defined today's underground sound. And, he has worked with everyone from Freddie Gibbs, Termanology, Action Bronson, Big K.R.I.T. and Reks... Read more

February 7, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Big Boi Tours Europe (Video)

Here's an up close and personal behind the scenes look at Big Boi during his tour of Europe. It gives you a good sense of the man behind the music. He hits Glastonbury, Norway and and a couple of other spots. This is another installment in a series sponsored by... Read more

January 30, 2012 The Bridge, Video

What’s the first piece of music you ever bought with your own money? We asked that same question to Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff, 9th Wonder, Murs, Kendrick Lamar, XV, Statik Selektah, Fashawn, tabi Bonney, Serius Jones, Rapsody, Skillz and Stic Man. Watch below to see what they had to say. Many of their answers will surprise you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr9U_LKvko0 Also, if you missed it, check out Part 1 of Where It All Began where Stic Man, Murs, Skyzoo, DJ Jazz Jeff, Kendrick Lamar and more talk about who first turned them on to hip-hop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztoUtSAtz74... Read more

December 13, 2011 Food for Thought, Video

Every journey has a beginning. Our new documentary, Where It All Began, takes a look at the musical journey of many hip-hop luminaries. In part 1 (of 5), we asked them who first introduced them to hip-hop. You’ll hear from DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kendrick Lamar, Termanology, Ski Beatz, The Kid Daytona, Chuuwee, Serius Jones, Skyzoo, and Stic Man (from Dead Prez). Check it out below.

In upcoming installments, you'll hear about other important moments in their journey to hip-hop. In addition to the above personalities, you'll also hear from Big Daddy Kane, Murs, Freddie Gibbs, XV, 9th Wonder, J-Live, Skillz, tabi Bonney, Statik Selektah, Fashawn and Rapsody in parts 2 -5. Stay tuned each week... Read more

December 6, 2011 Food for Thought, Video

Here’s a sneak preview for our new documentary Where It All Began which takes a look at the journey to hip-hop by Big Daddy Kane, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kendrick Lamar, Freddie Gibbs, Stic Man (from Dead Prez), Skillz, XV, Statik Selektah, Termanology, Murs, J-Live, The Kid Daytona, Termanology, Chuuwee, 9th Wonder and many more.

Every journey has a beginning. Ambrosia For Heads' documentary Where It All Began is a look at the journey to hip-hop by many of its current stars, rising stars and reigning legends. For the next several weeks, starting next week, Ambrosia For Heads will show you where the love for... Read more

December 2, 2011 Trending Stories, Video

Common – Freedom Project Documentary (Video)

Last week, Common dropped his video for Sweet which was shot in Haiti. He solicited donations to benefit the country, in order to view the video. Here's a documentary showing Common's visit to Haiti which is still greatly suffering the effects of the earthquake that devastated the country nearly 2... Read more

November 28, 2011 Video

Pharrell – Tokyo Rising Documentary (Video)

Here's a documentary Pharrell did, in partnership with Palladium, exploring the impact of the earthquake in Tokyo on 3/11/11. Given his strong connections with Tokyo, he speaks to many friends and you can feel how personal the piece is to him. Check out all 5 parts below.... Read more

September 2, 2011 Video

Here’s a short film on the making of Watch the Throne.

It got yanked from YouTube already, so watch it while you can... Watch the Throne drops on August 5th. Click here to download Kanye and Jay-Z's Otis ft Otis Redding.... Read more

July 22, 2011 Video

Here’s another sneak peek at the upcoming A Tribe Called Quest documentary.

This one features a very candid interview about Phife's ongoing battle with Diabetes. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest hits most theaters this month. Click here for a list of dates and places and a link to a playlist we did of joints produced by... Read more

July 6, 2011 Video

Mmm, mmm, mmm. Check out this documentary on Big Daddy Kane.

This is the latest installment of TV One's Unsung series. And, click here if you missed our Back in the Day mix. It features lots of Kane and his contemporaries. 2116285939 by yardie4lifever2... Read more

June 28, 2011 Video

Here’s a spirited interview of Phife and Michael Rapaport on the upcoming A Tribed Called Quest documentary.

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest will be in theaters soon. Check out the interview.... Read more

June 25, 2011 Video

CyHi Da Prynce is an interesting cat. Check out this mini-documentary on him.

Props to the Fader for producing this.... Read more

June 9, 2011 Video

Can’t wait to see the A Tribe Called Quest documentary? It’s coming soon to a theater near you.

Click here for details on locations and release dates for Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. Also, here's a playlist we did celebrating music produced by Q-Tip.... Read more

May 25, 2011 Food for Thought

Is there anybody else who can’t wait for the A Tribe Called Quest documentary? Those who were fortunate enough to see it at Sundance have been raving about it. It premieres at the Tribeca Film festival on 4/27 and hopefully in theaters soon thereafter. Until then, see below for a sneak peek at a clip from the movie: Beats, Rhymes & Life.

Those who were fortunate enough to see it at Sundance have been raving about it. It premieres at the Tribeca Film festival on 4/27 and hopefully in theaters soon thereafter. Until then, see below for a sneak peek at a clip from the movie: Beats, Rhymes & Life.... Read more

April 13, 2011 Video

We’ve been giving a lot of love to Breakin’. Now it’s time to give some to the DJ. Check out Scratch, one of the best films ever on turntabilism.

Scratch gives an in-depth look at the art of working the 1s and 2s. It goes from the beginning with Grandmaster Flash, Grand Wizard Theodore, Afrika Bambaataa and others to DJ Premier, the X-Ecutioners, Q-Bert and many, many more. Watch the whole movie below.... Read more

April 10, 2011 Video

Check out this new mini-documentary on Bun B. It features some good interview and performance footage from the Trill O.G. Both the sound and video quality are stellar.

It's not often you get to hear Bun B do some of his best cuts with a live band. Here's the doc (5 parts--courtesy of Noisey): Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5... Read more

April 6, 2011 Video

The movie Breakin’ introduced many to the West Coast break dancing scene but before Breakin’ there was the documentary Breakin’ N Enterin’.

Breakin' N Enterin' is a film from 1983 that documented the then nascent LA B-boy scene and inspired Breakin'. It featured many of the players that went on to star in Breakin' and gave a glimpse at their real lives. Shabba Doo, Boogaloo Shrimp and a VERY young Ice-T are... Read more

April 3, 2011 Throwback, Video

Need more basketball in your life? Check out Soul in the Hole a 90’s documentary on New York street ball. The soundtrack that accompanied it was a classic filled with some of the greatest names in hip-hop: Wu-Tang Clan, Brand Nubian, Mobb Deep, O.C., Common, M.O.P., Big Pun, Organized Konfusion…Check out the full movie and a playlist from the soundtrack below.

Click here to watch the trailer. Here's the movie: And, here's the playlist from the soundtrack:... Read more

March 27, 2011 Audio, Playlists, Throwback, Video

Ever see Rhyme & Reason? After nearly 15 years it still stands as one of the best films ever on hip-hop. Watch the whole movie here.

It takes a comprehensive look at hip-hop THE CULTURE through the words of some of the best rappers to advance it: Nas, Biggie, Pac, KRS-One, Q-Tip, RZA, Ice-T, MC Eiht, Pharcyde, Lauryn Hill, Dr. Dre...It doesn't stop.... Read more

March 6, 2011 TV/Film, Video

If you’re a fan of The Roots you will really dig this short documentary about them.

It's beautifully shot, showcases some of their great music and captures (a bit of) their one-of-a-kind energy on stage. It's called The Legendary: A Film About The Roots. Check it out. http://vimeo.com/20022107 Here's a description from the filmmakers (props to OkayPlayer): During the latter part of 2010 Jeff Baraka and... Read more

February 17, 2011 Video

It’s been 14 years since the death of Biggie Smalls and even longer for Tupac Shakur. Still, the murders remain unsloved.

Earlier this month, news broke that new leads in The Notorious B.I.G.'s murder have been uncovered and the case has been re-opened. Will we finally learn the truth? In the meantime, it's a good time to re-visit Biggie and Tupac, one of the best documentaries out there on their deaths.... Read more

January 29, 2011 TV/Film, Video

The art of sampling is nearly as fundamental to hip-hop as MCing. Check out this documentary on the history of sampling and its impact.

In the early days of sampling, it was done liberally and, at its finest, was used to create completely new sonic landscapes. Public Enemy's It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us back was groundbreaking in its sound and was one of the most sample-heavy albums of all time.... Read more

January 20, 2011 Food for Thought, Video

My Mic Sounds Nice the new documentary from BET premieres on 8/30 at 10pm. It is one of the best hip-hop films ever.

If you are a fan of hip-hop, documentaries or just great TV, check out the premiere of My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women and Hip-Hop on BET at 10pm on Monday, August 30. The show is the most comprehensive look at the role of women in hip-hop, ever,... Read more

August 30, 2010 Audio, Throwback, Video

Jay-Z: He Came, He Saw, He Conquered

This Jay-Z documentary is a couple years old, but it remains one of the 2 best ever produced on him (the other being Fade to Black). See a whole different side of Jay as he headlines the Glastonbury festival in the U.K. The life and times of Shawn Carter,... Read more

June 13, 2010 Video

AFH: J Dilla Tribute

James Yancey, aka Jay Dee, aka J Dilla, one of the greatest producers in hip-hop history, was born 39 years ago on February 7, 1974 and unfortunately passed away on February 10, 2006. We're celebrating his life and incredible impact with a number of the great tributes that have been... Read more

February 7, 2010 Audio, Video