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"Hip Hop Gets The
Inspirational Kazi On A
Roll" |
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Directed by Matt Ruskin
Starring Chris Rolle,
Diana Lemon, Christopher
Mapp, Bruce Willis, Doug
E. Fresh
Distributed by Pressure
Point - 2006 - 88mins -
Rated NR |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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B+ |
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If you could say anything you wanted right now, what would you say? |
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If you had the whole
world listening, what would you say?
In his powerful, inspirational documentary "The Hip Hop Project,"
first-time feature documentary director Matt Ruskin presents a world
foreign to many Americans and a stark, everyday reality for many
others.
Based upon the real life "Hip Hop Project," an arts outreach program
of Art Start in New York City, "The Hip Hop Project" follows a group
of inner-city young men and women from their initial introduction into
HHP's world in 1999 through their graduation four years later.
Initially attracted by flyers promising the chance to record an album,
HHP's young hopefuls are a hypnotic blend of wide-eyed innocents and
streetwise afterthoughts. In a world that often considers their
thoughts, ideas, hopes and dreams irrelevant, the Hip Hop Project
welcomes them in with open arms and, seemingly, offers them the chance
to chase a dream.
Yet, this world of the Hip Hop Project is more than it seems...MUCH
more. Founding program director Chris "Kazi" Rolle, himself abandoned
in the Bahamas by a mother who chased her own American dream, knows
all to well the truths of the young men and women who enter his
program. He also knows that success, real success, will only be found
when each individual in the Hip Hop Project is given a chance to
learn, heal, express, grow, be accepted, be listened to and, finally,
make positive changes in their lives that will empower themselves and
all those around them.
Himself given the opportunity to plant the Hip Hop Project by former
instructor and Art Start Executive Director Scott Rosenberg, who knew
his potential and took a risk, Rolle isn't just a program director.
He's a father to the fatherless, teacher to those many said can't be
taught, a counselor to those for whom trust is nearly impossible and,
perhaps most importantly, Rolle represents hope for many who have
tossed hope by the wayside because so often those who must struggle to
survive hardly have enough time, energy or resources left to dare
hope.
Starting with a group of 30, the Hip Hop Project becomes a journey
about discipline, self-care, healing, building community, establishing
trust, learning to community, integrity, spiritual awareness and, yes,
spitting your truth...but not the "It's hard out here for a pimp"
truth. Rolle won't settle for what's on the surface of these young men
and women. He won't settle for their anger or rage or their
spontaneous raps about drugs, bitches or guns.
He commands, and because he offers it himself, he gets the very
essence of their souls.
There's Diana "Princess" Lemon, an attractive, articulate young woman
who goes almost frighteningly within in recounting her experiences
with an early abortion.
There's Christopher "Cannon" Mapp, an explosive young man who seems to
literally scream at the microphone with a rap that is half desperate
for love and half furious at watching his mother slowly wither away
from Multiple Sclerosis. Sadly, his mother will pass away before this
project is completed...yet, in hip hop, "Cannon" finds a way to
express the rage, despair and grief that all too often gets locked up
deep inside.
Then, there's the eloquent Robin "Kheperah" Kearse, a powerful,
intelligent and gifted rapper that will undoubtedly bring to mind some
of this generation's most gifted socially responsible rap voices.
There are, of course, others and it is their collective voices that
begin to take shape as HHP moves from a loose collection of angry,
hurting individuals to a brilliant, insightful and sensitive hip hop
collective. What many of the young men thought would be a quick
journey becomes a four-year journey through their hearts, minds,
bodies and souls.
Equally as admirable is that Rolle, while using hip hop to get these
young men and women in the door, remains true to his words and their
hopes and dreams. Their reward for joining him on this journey is,
indeed, the opportunity to record a 17-track collection that is due to
be released when "The Hip Hop Project" goes into national release.
This recording was made possible largely as a result of a studio
donated by actor and one of this film's producers Bruce Willis along
with rap mogul Russell Simmons.
As a documentary, "The Hip Hop Project" is a near perfect blend of
street beats, real life testimony, stylish cinematography and even a
bit of group therapy. Even Rolle gets into the mix realizing that he
cannot teach what he's unwilling to do himself...thus, he reconciles
with his mother in a scene that somehow manages to be both painful and
empowering for Rolle.
Ruskin's direction often makes "The Hip Hop Project" feel like one of
the Fugees' grooviest vibes, and only occasional lingering camera
shots with "Cannon" distract from the film's marvelous cinematography.
The ending, while feeling a touch forced, also feels incredibly full
circle as we realize that Rolle, who has resigned from HHP and "passed
the baton" to Princess, and his young men and women have shared this
journey. Fortunately, Rolle remains involved and is actively
developing a curriculum as the program begins to be planted
nationwide.
Deeply moving, insightful, inspiring and brimming with hope, "The Hip
Hop Project" is currently playing at the Heartland Film Festival while
on the festival circuit prior to its planned nationwide release, most
likely in early 2007. "The Hip Hop Project" received Heartland's
prize for "Best Documentary Feature" during the 2006 festival.
If you could say anything you wanted right now, what would you say.
Well, go ahead. Say it. |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
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