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
Khandi Alexander	...	Sissy
Art Evans	...	Albert Sr. (as Arthur Evans)
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:

singing | satirical | parody | rap | rap music | 

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Taglines:

Sex, rap and family values?

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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

Filmed in 1992 between July and September

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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

Trustus: Do you cuss on your records?
Albert: Yeah.
Trustus: Do you defile women with your lyrics?
Albert: Yeah.
Trustus: Do you fondle your genitalia on stage?
Albert: Whenever possible.
Trustus: Do you glorify violence or advocate the use of guns as a way of solving a simple dispute?
CB4: [pull out guns]
Trustus: Ok! Ok! Final question. Do you guys respect anything at all?
CB4: Not a goddamn thing.
[...]

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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

Referenced in The Firm (1993)

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Soundtracks

Come and Talk to Me
Written by DeVante DeGrate (as Devante)
Performed by Jodeci
Courtesy of Uptown Records / MCA Records

User Reviews

The Greatest Rapumentary of all Time

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. I love the fact that they pretty much play on the myth that most rappers are essentially middle class kids who've never even smelled the ghetto but try to pass themselves off as true "gangstas". Chris Rock and the rest of the cast make this one of the funniest movies of all time as well as a great commentary on the music business. Also, Allen Payne shows that he has a great flair for comedy as he plays Rip and Candy Alexander shines as Cissy. She pretty much has fun playing the stereotypical groupie that everyone has written about from rockers to rappers. This film really is a classic.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 March 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

CB4

Filming Locations:

Panorama City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

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