The Hip Hop Project

2006 1h 28m EN

🤯

8.5

MASTERPIECE

★8.5TMDB · 2

Documentary

Synopsis

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The Hip Hop Project is the dynamic and inspirational story of a group of New York City teenagers who transform their life stories into powerful works of art, using hip hop as a vehicle for self-development and personal discovery. The film traces the evolution of this award-winning outreach program developed by Kazi, a formerly homeless teenager turned youth mentor. After four years of collaboration, the group produced a powerful and thought-provoking album that provides a revealing look at their lives. In contrast to all the negative attention focused on hip hop and rap music, this is a story of hope, healing and the realization of dreams.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Bruce Willis
Self
Russell Simmons
Self
Doug E. Fresh
Self
Sway Calloway
Self
Chris ‘Kazi’ Rolle
Self
Diana ‘Princess’ Lemon
Self
Christopher ‘Cannon’ Mapp
Self
Louis Martinez
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Matt Ruskin
Languages: English

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

88 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 20 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Matt Ruskin, shot by Ari Issler. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Matt Ruskin shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Bruce Willis and Russell Simmons and Doug E. Fresh carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0800272 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

Only 2 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Matt Ruskin directs. Ari Issler behind the camera. Matt Ruskin cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

188 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
2Released 20 years ago.
3Directed by Matt Ruskin, shot by Ari Issler. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Editor Matt Ruskin shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Bruce Willis and Russell Simmons and Doug E. Fresh carry the top of the cast.
6IMDB entry: tt0800272 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Only 2 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.