Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap (2012)

A documentary on rap music and its rise to global prominence.

Directors:

Ice-T, Andy Baybutt (co-director)

Stars:

Ice-T, Dr. Dre, Chuck D

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Bun B	...	Self
B-Real	...	Self
Afrika Bambaataa	...	Self
Derek Barbosa	...	Self (as Chino XL)
Yasiin Bey	...	Self (as Mos Def)
Big Daddy Kane	...	Self
Kool Boy	...	Self
Joe Budden	...	Self
Busy Bee	...	Self
Cashout Chris	...	Self
Chuck D	...	Self
Common	...	Self
Anthony 'Treach' Criss	...	Self
Dana Dane	...	Self
Feddie Demarco	...	Self

Storyline

SOMETHING FROM NOTHING: THE ART OF RAP is a feature length performance documentary about the runaway juggernaut that is Rap music. At the wheel of this unstoppable beast is the film's director and interviewer Ice-T. Taking us on a deeply personal journey Ice-T uncovers how this music of the street has grown to dominate the world. Along the way Ice-T meets a whole spectrum of Hip-Hop talent, from founders, to new faces, to the global superstars like Eminem, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and Kanye West. He exposes the roots and history of Rap and then, through meeting many of its most famous protagonists, studies the living mechanism of the music to reveal 'The Art Of Rap'. This extraordinary film features unique performances from the entire cast, without resorting to archive material, to build a fresh and surprising take on the phenomenon that is Rap.

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Plot Keywords:

rap music | hip hop | reference to biggie smalls | reference to tupac shakur | interview clips | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language including sexual references, and some drug content

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in The Daily Buzz: Episode dated 18 June 2012 (2012)

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Soundtracks

A Nigga Witta Gun
Written by Wilson Beckett, Kevin Bell, Ronald Bell, Callie Cheek, Michael Cheek, Peter Duarte, Kevin Lassiter, Johnny Smith, Snoop Dogg (as Calvin Broadus), Dennis White and Ray White
Performed by Dr. Dre

User Reviews

Check it out

It's funny, when I saw this, I too immediately thought, "hey, that's like that How To Rap book!" so it's nice to see another reviewer thought the same thing as me.

I agree with that reviewer that the book is more thorough and complete when looking at the craft, so that remains the go-to resource, but this movie is great for other things.

The verses that the rappers recite are mostly great (though I prefer when rappers do freestyles over beats, not a big fan of the "here's... my... really... slow... acapella... rap... so you... can hear... all the... words"), and it's cool seeing Ice-T just have relaxed conversations with rappers he knows.

It's actually best when it veers away from the craft and just goes into funny stories and interactions between Ice-T and the person he's talking to.

If you're a rap fan, definitely go look this movie up, you'll find something to like in it!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 July 2012 (UK)

Also Known As:

Od ništa nešto: Umetnost repa

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$150,337, 17 June 2012

Gross USA:

$288,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$333,388

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color