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These films rarely show uswhythese stories are worth telling in the first place.
Where is the sweat?
Where are the fuck-ups and early drafts?
With rap unofficiallyturning 50 this year, its time to change that.
Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy(2022)
Or, the making of a megalomaniac.
Coodie is just trying to understand what exactly happened to his one-time good friend.
You understand theres a reason it was so hard for Kanye to get on.
It sets the tone for this painfully honest portrayal.
But the greatest works of art in this medium demand nothing less.
Wayne is a fascinating subject, quiet and withdrawn while high on a cocktail of weed and lean.
Rize(2005)
The most visually stunning documentary on this list.
But photographer David LaChapelles film is more than just something pretty to look at.
This was the last moment music had Jays full attention.
The particular collective nature of theThe Black Albumcomplements the format.
Scratch(2001)
Can a DJ get some?
This love letter about craft and discipline operates like a 90s skate-video highlight reel.
Style Wars(1983)
The original hip-hop documentary.
