Criterion Channel Celebrates 50 Years Of Hip-Hop With Film Additions

Beginning Aug. 1, the Criterion Channel will update its catalog, adding some of Hip-Hop’s finest films for viewing pleasure. And the line-up is the grade-A perfection.

Hip-Hop: The Birth Story

Run DMC. Image source: Janette Beckman.

The year 1973 marks the birth of Hip-Hop, a worldwide phenomenon that sprouted from a spark of inspiration. In the heat of summer, DJ Kool Herc’s desire to throw an end-of-summer party for his sister sparked something big. According to PBS, Herc took his place on the turntables during the festivities with a fresh idea that would forever change the course of history.

“Herc extended an instrumental beat to let people dance longer and began MC’ing during the extended breakdancing.”

And as they say, the rest was history.

Criterion Celebrates Hip-Hop In Film

Wild Style. Image source: Huckmag.

This year marks 50 years of Hip-Hop and its influence. And Hip-Hop has grown exponentially since those formative years. One can see its imprint everywhere. But nowhere has Hip-Hop been more impactful than in the film industry. From hard-hitting dramas about life in the inner city to heartbreaking tragedies, the soul of the culture has been captured on a reel.

The first Hip-Hop film “Wild Style,” dates back to the early 80s. In a collaborative effort, the two teamed up to bring Hip-Hop to life on the big screen.

According to Vulture, “It was at the Times Square Show Ahearn met budding artist Fred Brathwaite, a.k.a. Fab 5 Freddy (later to become the first host of Yo! MTV Raps), and they dreamed up 1982’s Wild Style, a love song to the city’s graffiti artists and one of the earliest, most momentous portraits of Hip-Hop culture committed to film.”

And much like the birth of Hip-Hop itself, this meeting of minds would mark the birth of the same on screen. Since then, Hip-Hop has blossomed in cinemas globally. Fans have enjoyed a vast collection of films for over four decades, some of which have become classics. As of August, Hip-Hop fans can revisit many of those features in one place, The Criterion Channel.

What Criterion Is Offering

Image source: Netflix.

The Criterion Channel is offering an impressive list of releases in the Hip-Hop genre, including the original “Wild Style.” Other films set for release include “Beat Street,” “Krush Groove,” “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai,” “Deep Cover,” “Paid in Full,” “Do the Right Thing,” “Boyz in the Hood,” and “Belly,” to name a few. This is only a portion of what film viewers can expect. In the words of the curatorial director, there is something for everyone who is endeared to Hip-Hop.

“From raw, pivotal early documents like Wild Style and Style Wars onward, there’s something for everyone here, whether you’re an expert or a beginner.”

Time to Turn Up

The celebration of half a century of Hip-Hop is still going strong. It’s uplifting to see the recognition that this cultural movement has garnered. But long after the celebratory nods have ended, it’s important to note this certainly is not a stopping point.

As a culture, we are just getting started. So here’s to 50 more years and beyond. So let the celebration continue. And if watching classics is how you want to turn up, tune in to Criterion this August.

Written by Renae Richardson

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