Rappin' (1985)

An ex-con and break-dancer helps save a neighborhood from a greedy developer while trying to win a rap contest.

Director:

Joel Silberg

Writers:

Adam Friedman, Robert Jay Litz (as Robert Litz)

Stars:

Mario Van Peebles, Eriq La Salle, Melvin Plowden

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mario Van Peebles	...	John Hood
Eriq La Salle	...	Ice
Melvin Plowden	...	Fats
Richie Abanes	...	Richie
Kadeem Hardison	...	Moon
Leo O'Brien	...	Allan
Charles Grant	...	Duane (as Charles Flohe)
Rony Clanton	...	Cedric
Ruth Jaroslow	...	Mrs. Goldberg
Michael Esihos	...	Stavros
Anthony Bishop	...	Mr. Fiorello
Fredric Mao	...	Mr. Chan
Rutanya Alda	...	Cecilia
Brandi Freund	...	Rosalita
Eyde Byrde	...	Grandma (as Edye Byrde)

Storyline

An ex-con and break-dancer helps save a neighborhood from a greedy developer while trying to win a rap contest.

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Plot Keywords:

ex convict | hip hop music | one word title | song contest | punctuation in title | 

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Taglines:

Catch the rhythm... Feel the heat... It's the hottest film comin' to the street.

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Musical

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Golan/Globus quickly assembled the idea for this film to capitalize on the success of their 1984 urban dance hit "Breakin".

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Quotes

Duane: What are you tryin' to tell me? You don't have any more money? Yeah? Fellas, we've been in that position. I can understand where you're comin' from. Times are tough. Reagan's President. Right?

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Connections

Referenced in Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014)

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Soundtracks

Rappin'
Performed by Lovebug Starski
Written by Larry K. Smith (as Larry Smith) and Randy Murry
Produced by Larry Smith and Steve Loeb

User Reviews

Reakin'

"I went to the movies, to see 'Beat Street' / it wasn't bad, it was kinda' neat / 'Krush Groove' was a flick, that I didn't mind / but when it came to 'Rappin', I drew the line." Word to your mother.

Want me to stop?

That's just a small sample of the stupa-fly style of rhymin' on display in this waste of film and location permits. This movie is seriously wack (thats 80s-speak for just f*cking awful). As an emcee, Mario Van Peebles is one hell of an actor. And as an actor, Mario Van Peebles is one hell of a bodybuilder.

Any film calling itself "Rappin'" had better deliver at that genre's highest standard of the time. So why were 6 year olds rolling in the aisles, even back in the day when standards were so knee-high-to-"Webster"-low? Because this rap is weak. So weak that not even B.E.T. or Comedy Central will touch it with a 10-foot gold-rope chain.

Blondie's "Rapture" is def poetry next to this bit of Dr. Suess in the hood. So don't be a boobie, avoid this movie!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 May 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

House rap

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,802,204, 12 May 1985

Gross USA:

$2,864,844

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,864,844

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cannon Pictures, Golan-Globus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1