Play'd: A Hip Hop Story (2002) (TV)

Director:

Oz Scott

Writer (WGA):

Cory Tynan (written by)

Release Date:

26 June 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

An up and coming rap artist struggling to find his own voice winds up in the middle of a dangerous turf war when egos violently collide within the music industry.

Plot Keywords:

Rap | African American | Hip Hop

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Rashaan Nall	...	Jaxx
Toni Braxton	...	Shonda
Faizon Love	...	Domino Breed
Sharissa	...	Yanesha
Merlin Santana	...	Mayhem
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lawrence B. Adisa	...	Bangs
Philip Bolden	...	Little Jimmy
Laurence Brown	...	Benard
DeRay Davis	...	Jaxx's bodyguard
Freedom	...	Bodyguard
Jacory Gums	...	Dooz
Enoch Harris	...	Singer
Frankie Richards	...	Singer
Craig Robinson	...	Cole
Tre Ryan	...	Club Patron
Dex Elliott Sanders	...	Skeem
Maurice Welch	...	Singer
Kaleti Williams	...	Bodyguard #2 (credit only)
Raina Lewis	...	Fan (uncredited)

Directed by
Oz Scott

Writing credits (WGA)
Cory Tynan		(written by)

Produced by
Bill Borden	....	executive producer
Bill Borden	....	producer
Melissa Cobb	....	executive producer
Gina E. Ross	....	associate producer
Cory Tynan	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Kurt Farquhar

Film Editing by
James Wilcox

Production Design by
Bruton Jones

Art Direction by
Richard N. McGuire

Set Decoration by
Charlie Brownell

Production Management
Margaret Hilliard	....	unit production manager

Art Department
Bill Brownell	....	graphics
Joshua Cheek	....	additional props
Matthew C. Kime	....	assistant property master
Michael Panevics	....	property master

Sound Department
David Beres	....	sound mixer
Don Hale	....	sound playback
George E. Marshall Jr.	....	boom operator

Camera and Electrical Department
Jeff Diaz	....	best boy grip
Justin Fisher	....	grip
Greg Flores	....	grip
Keith Mentze	....	grip
William A. Purcell	....	additional grip
Tony Ritter	....	grip
Joel A. Ruiz	....	electrician
Diego Sanchez	....	grip
Kennith G. Smith	....	dolly grip: "a" camera
Shawn Stoddard	....	grip
George Wells	....	key grip (as George A. Wells)

Casting Department
Niki Boyle	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sherrie Jordan	....	costumer

Editorial Department
Chris Kirkpatrick	....	additional editor

Music Department
Ron Finn	....	music editor
Brian King	....	composer: additional music

Transportation Department
Scott Anderson	....	transportation captain
Leonard Jefferson	....	picture car coordinator

Other crew
Ray Felipe	....	script researcher
Carrie Black Gallison	....	production coordinator
Cy Grospe	....	production assistant
Iris Huezo	....	production assistant
Christie Kwan	....	assistant: Mr. Borden
Lisa S. Rothmuller	....	location scout
Rob Swenson	....	assistant location manager
Suzanne C. Swindle	....	script supervisor

Distributors

• Artisan Entertainment
• Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Schröder Media (2011) (Germany) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Act One Script Clearance  research
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes and dollies

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and some drug use

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.77 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

San Diego, California, USA

Good Hip-Hop Industry Related Telemovie

VH1 did a good job at creating this fictional East Coast / West Coast rap war movie. It's very similar to the real-life events involving Bad Boy and Death Row records in the mid-90s.

Quick plot summary. The movie surrounds Jaxx, part of a rap duo who is enticed by Domino Breed, a record exec tyrant, to join Breed's record label to pursue a solo career. Jaxx does so, but in the process, begins a relationship with up-and-coming R&B songstress, Yanesha, and destroying his relationship with his wife, Shonda. When an east coast / west coast rap war begins, Jaxx becomes threatened.

I enjoyed seeing two real-life musicians playing rolls in this movie. Toni Braxton (who's had hits like "Unbreak My Heart" and "You're Makin' Me High") and Sharissa (her first single, "Any Other Night", did decently in early 2002), both contributed good performances in this movie. The rest of the cast did well, though I've never heard of them before this.

Overall, VH1 created an above average telemovie that is loosely based on a real rap war. Good performances, a good soundtrack, and good direction.

Rating: 7/10