CB4 (1993)

A guy makes a documentary of the rap band CB4 by following them. CB4 got popular by stealing Gusto's name, background and image. He wants them dead.

Director:

Tamra Davis

Writers:

Chris Rock (story), Nelson George (story)

Stars:

Chris Rock, Allen Payne, Deezer D

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Rock	...	Albert / MC Gusto
Allen Payne	...	Euripides / Dead Mike
Deezer D	...	Otis / Stab Master Arson
Chris Elliott	...	A. White
Phil Hartman	...	Virgil Robinson
Charlie Murphy	...	Gusto (as Charles Q. Murphy)
Khandi Alexander	...	Sissy
Art Evans	...	Albert Sr.
Theresa Randle	...	Eve
Willard E. Pugh	...	Trustus
Ty Granderson Jones	...	40 Dog (as Tyrone Granderson Jones)
Rachel True	...	Daliha
Victor Wilson	...	Lt. Davenport
Richard Gant	...	Baa Baa Ack
J.D. Daniels	...	Ben

Storyline

A "rapumentary", covering the rise to fame of MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson, and Dead Mike: members of the rap group "CB4". We soon learn that these three are not what they seem and don't apear to know as much about rap music as they claim... but a lack of musical ability in an artist never hurts sales, does it? You've just got to play the part of a rap star...

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Plot Keywords:

rap | rap music | title directed by female | african american | black comedy | 

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Taglines:

Sex, Rhymes and keepin' it real.

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Genres:

Comedy | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language, and for sexuality and drug content

Did You Know?

Trivia

The ragtime piano melody heard in the nursing home sequence is actually the Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight."

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Goofs

Rachel True (Albert's girlfriend) calls him Arthur instead of Albert on the stairs of the scene at his mother's house.

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Quotes

Albert Sr.: Don't be wasting my electricity on that rap mess.
Albert: But, pop...
Albert Sr.: Don't "but" me. I'll beat your ass in front of your woman.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits Chris Rock is shown playing Cheap Pete who asks a newspaper vendor how much a newspaper costs. When he finds out it's too expensive he asks to pay 15 cents and for the vendor to read him the good news.

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Alternate Versions

FX Network TV version includes one additional scene showing the real M.C. Gusto breaking out of jail; in this scene you see M.C. Gusto and a white inmate in a golf course and the white guy says dumb comments and subsequently gets knocked out.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Point of No Return/CB4/Fire in the Sky/Barbarians at the Gate/Il Lardo Di Bambini (1993)

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Soundtracks

May Day on the Front Line
Written by M.C. Ren (as MC Ren) and Doctor Jam "The Dirt Biker" Sound
Performed by M.C. Ren (as MC Ren)
Courtesy of Ruthless Records

User Reviews

Oldskool at its best.

This movie is a classic. I had wanted to see it when I was younger, but of course I wasn't allowed to. I saw this a few months ago and it was even better now. This is one of Chris Rock's best performances, he nails the role of a rapper perfectly (not to mention his costume...). The movie was one of the first to feature parody raps and they are great, considering this film was Pre-Insane Clown Posse and the like. "Sweat from my balls" still makes me laugh every time I hear it.

Some might say this does not transfer to the new rap school, but It definitely does. If you were once a fan of oldschool rap or are still a fan of rap, this movie is definitely worth checking out.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 March 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

CB4 - The Movie

Filming Locations:

Panorama City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,122,450, 14 March 1993

Gross USA:

$17,953,778

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,953,778

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1