2010s – The best Hip Hop movies of the decade ’10s

@mohitsmovies 

Truth be told, I’m a bigger Hip Hop fan than any other genre of music. The culture transforms into many different types of creative forms as it evolves, but Hip Hop themed movies have always remained a big part of how the art and culture further narrative, entertainment and commerce. 

I will warn you that I did not include any Canadian films in this and I’m hoping this upcoming decade sees a larger amount of hiphop focused and themed movies from The North 

Streaming Services are making a serious impact on HipHop culture as well.

This decade has been so transformative for music. Hip Hop has changed in sound and body. There has been a wave of different Hip Hop movies that have come out over the last ten years. Check out the list of the best Hip Hop movies of the decade. In no particular order, this is my list of some of the decades hottest Hip Hop films and what made them so hot.

Straight Outta’ Compton (2015)

In this day and age who doesn’t love a good tell-all? Okay, maybe not a tell-all, more like a biopic, Straight Outta Compton happens to be one of the best, action-packed, fact-based movies to come out this decade. The movie was almost an instant classic. The story is gripping from the start and details how the infamous NWA came together. Their stories of trials and triumph will make you laugh at some parts, cry at others, and even get angry.

The beginning of the film as the group rises to fame is so heartfelt and gritty, almost something like a hood fairytale. Yet as they grow more successful, it details the complications of money, management, and friendship. Straight Outta Compton was produced by two of NWA’s original members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. This isn’t Cube’s first time producing as we’ve seen his work in the Friday movies. Cube’s son excellently depicted his dad in the film. 9 out of ten, must watch. 

Wu-Tang Clan: An American Saga (2019)

Wu-Tang Clan: An American Saga is a four-part miniseries detailing the formulation of the Wu-Tang Clan, but because of the importance of the Wu to Hip Hop we thought it was worthy of inclusion. It follows the life of Bobby Diggs as he tries to unite a group of friends into what would be one of the greatest rap groups of all time. Touching on issues that brought them together like poverty, violence, and racism – overarching themes of many Hip Hop albums of this era.

The film was nearly a decade in the making, including all members of the group divulging their stories to ten writers in a writer’s room. In American Saga, you see the members navigating life in the era of crack in Staten Island. The movie takes a good look at the things that made them. Between hustling, family trauma, feuds among them, homelessness, the death of close friends, and a love for kung-fu villains and superheroes, Wu-Tang clan was born.

2019 was a full year for Wu-Tang with this film as well as a Showtime documentary Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics And Men debuting just before their 25th-anniversary tour. 

All Eyez On Me (2017)

Tupac’s story is one that’s been told over and over from documentaries to conspiracy theories on YouTube. That being said, this film had big shoes to fill. All Eyez On Me was tasked with telling the man’s life story accurately. Much like Straight Outta Compton, some questionable scenes may not have happened in reality, but the movie was good nonetheless. Directed by music video director, Benny Boom, All Eyez On Me does a good job of showing how Tupac came to have such a strong, almost cult-like following. 

Aside from just raw talent, Tupac had a powerful voice and spoke in a way that made people feel his passion. Yet, as detailed in the film that wasn’t enough to help him escape the streets. He goes from a kid raised by Black Panthers who are known for militant yet community values, to becoming a superstar and hooking up with the likes of Suge Knight and Death Row Records.

The movie only received one star on Rotten Tomatoes with many feeling like the film was too surface level, however considering that Tupac has been gone over two decades, a biopic about his life was long overdue. The average Tupac fan will enjoy the movie beyond its flaws.

Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives (2015)

New age rappers may never know how easy they have it with social media and viral videos. Visibility used to be a part of the grind as detailed in Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives. The documentary details a radio show airing from 1990-1999 that featured emerging Hip Hop artists looking for their big break. Radio That Changed Lives is probably one of the more interesting Hip Hop documentaries because it features so many artists before they were big-time celebrities.

Everybody wanted to be on Stretch and Bobbito. If you were invited to their show, you were doing something right. Known for breaking new artists, their show featured the likes of Jay Z, Nas, Busta Rhymes, and the list of Hip Hop legends goes on. The duo interviews former guests while playing back verses spit on the show. Impressive verses and good conversation give viewers an inside look at what Hip Hop was then and how it’s transformed over the years.

Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (2011)

Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest details the rise and fall of the iconic 90s rap group A Tribe Called Quest. The film, named after Quest’s last studio album, is a documentary directed by Michael Rapaport. A Tribe Called Quest were Hip Hop game-changers when they first entered the scene. They had a totally different sound and vibe than their rap counterparts which quickly sent them to the top.

However, one thing that had in common with many other music groups in general, was their split. Trouble always finds its way to paradise and they were no exception. The doc features interviews from group members Q-Tip, Phife, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. The film was released in 2011. It’s a must for Hip Hop heads knowledge-wise.

Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap (2012)

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhwBUydknWI

Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap tells the story of how rap went from being a subgenre to the mainstream powerhouse it is today. It takes a serious look at how rap is perceived by people not familiar with the culture and calls for it to finally get the respect it deserves. The film is directed and narrated by former rapper Ice T. Despite his long-time role on Law And Order SVU, Ice T still possesses a wealth of knowledge about rap and Hip Hop.

Get and inside look at what goes on inside the head of the masters. Ice Tea interviews rap stars from the past and present Including Yasin Bey (Mod Def), Big Daddy Kane, Eminem, and even Kanye West. Unlike many Hip Hop documentaries that used archived performance footage, Something From Nothing is unique in that every artist interviewed kicks a freestyle. Many of the rappers credit rap with saving their lives. 

Roxanne Roxanne (2017)

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKA8H_LolNM

Roxanne Shante was a female rap sensation of the late ’80s when Hip Hop was just getting its feet. At 14 years old she recorded her first single by chance in between doing loads of laundry which is detailed in the film. Roxanne Roxanne was released by Netlfix and coproduced by Pharell Williams and directed by Michael Larnell. While Roxanne is known mostly for her music, the movie delves into her life beyond the music.

Being such a young woman in the music industry, Roxanne was subject to a lot of mistreatment. Some because she was a woman breaking into a male-dominated field, and some because of her interactions with damaged people (family, lovers, etc.). The story of Roxanne Shante is one of importance because we don’t often look at the lives of women emcees. Often the only women we see in movies about male rappers are the women dancing in the videos at the parties, or their moms. This perspective was needed. The film includes a pretty solid cast with Nia Long playing the role of her mother and Mahershala Ali as a shiesty, self-serving manager.

Nas – Time Is Illmatic (2014)

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbaoRfJas_8

Illmatic was Nas’ first and most acclaimed album. It still holds its place today as one of the best albums of all time. Time Is Illmatic is a feature-length documentary narrated by Nas himself as he discusses the influences and process of creating such a classic album.

It’s so New York…the album and the film alike. They have that gritty feel and of course interviews with some legendary New Yorkers like Alicia Keys, Q-Tip, and Busta Rhymes. Time Is Illmatic is more than just about a classic debut album, but about socio-economic issues, family, the life of Nas and more importantly what all went into the creation of this album. Nas talks about wanting so badly to create a body of work that made people see the world through his eyes. Twenty years later, we can say he was successful.

Look, Mom, I Can Fly (2019)

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpR3rI_rjtg

Travis Scott is probably the youngest rapper on this list and included rightfully so. Aside from being known for his relationship with beauty business mogul Kylie Jenner, Scott has become one of the top rappers in the last few years. In 2019 his album Astroworld debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, knocking out Nicki Minaj’s Queen Album. Needless to say, he’s got quite a large following.

Look, Mom, I Can Fly is a documentary that chronicles his rise to stardom. In true doc form, they include footage of Scott as a child. You even see Scott performing for a crowd of about 40 people and graduating to a packed out stadium. Many Hip Hop old heads are not fond of artists like Scott’s use of autotune and rap style, but the man has pioneered his lane with his mosh pit like shows. Get an inside look at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Tour. You’ll even see snippets of how the crowd loves Stormi too.

The 2010’s were a good decade for Hip Hop movies. Though it was back heavy, with most of the films being released in the last few years, the work was quality in both documentaries and biopics alike.