Leeds Hip Hop Scene

A long time ago - before P. Diddy was remixing songs by the Police and Universal was pouring millions into “8 Mile,” Charlie Ahearn was canvassing the streets of New York’s South Bronx for inspiration. The year was 1980, and the goal was to create a film that was part narrative and part documentary, revolving around what would later prove to be the pinnacle era in classic hip hop.

Ahearn, a first-time writer, director and producer came away from the experience with the 1982 film “Wild Style” - a stylistically innovative and socially conscious story of graffiti artists, rap pioneers and the New York community that spawned it all. Showcasing some of the greatest names in both street art and hip hop of the time, “Wild Style” is driven by raw talent and genuine characterizations in a way that nearly all filmmakers since have failed to replicate.25 years on and to celebrate the silver anniversary of ”Wild Style” a UK DVD and an accompanying soundtrack are scheduled for release. The DVD is already available in shops up and down the country and the soundtrack will follow shortly, featuring a bonus CD of samples, scratchs and loops.

The CD featuring Fab 5 Freddy, Double Trouble and Prince Whipper Whizz give’s you an insight in to a very early era of hiphop one where the synthesised beats are precise,  the scratchin manic and giving us all an insight into where acts such as LL Cool J, A Tribe Called Quest and DJ Shadow found their sound.

If you are interested in Hip Hop or simply the history of music this is an important purchase.