Rappin'

1985 film directed by Joel Silberg
  • Mario Van Peebles
  • Tasia Valenza
  • Charles Flohe
  • Melvin Plowden
CinematographyDavid GurfinkelEdited byMarcus MantonMusic byMichael LinnDistributed byCannon Films
Release date
  • May 10, 1985 (1985-05-10)
Running time
92 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishBox office$2,864,844[1]

Rappin' is a 1985 American film directed by Joel Silberg, written by Adam Friedman and Robert J. Litz, produced by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus and starring Mario Van Peebles. The film is a sequel to Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, and is also known as Breakdance 3. Although it features Ice-T (who featured in Breakin' and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo), Rappin' has a plot unconnected to the previous two films and features different lead characters and locations. It is also considered to be a companion piece to the documentary Breakin' 'n' Enterin'.[2]

Plot

Rappin' John Hood (Van Peebles), an ex-convict, attempts to save his neighborhood from developers and hoodlums. Around the same time, one of the hoodlums' girlfriend, Dixie, persuades him to audition for a rap recording contract. Their interactions develop into a relationship.

Cast

  • Mario Van Peebles as John Hood
  • Rutanya Alda as Cecilia
  • Eyde Byrde as Grandma
  • Rony Clanton as Cedric
  • Charles Grant as Duane
  • Melvin Plowden as "Fats"
  • Jessie Daniels, Antoine Lundy, Stevie D. Lundy, Charles Nelson, Trisco Pearson as The Force M.D.s
  • Richie Abanes as Richie
  • Harry Goz as Thorndike
  • Kadeem Hardison as "Moon"
  • Eriq La Salle as "Ice"
  • Leo O'Brien as Allan
  • Thomas Ross as Thomas
  • Joe Schad as Burton
  • Tasia Valenza as Dixie
  • Eugene Wilde as himself
  • Richy Givens as Gangster

Production

Mario Van Peebles' raps were overdubbed by Master Gee of the Sugarhill Gang, who also wrote one part,[3] and whose brother Leo plays the role of Allan. The film was filmed in and around Pittsburgh.

Ice-T's small role is uncredited and he reportedly provided the rhymes, including the hero's climactic lines, "Can't stop / Won't stop / Climbing that mountain 'till we reach the top!"[citation needed] Two verses of his 1985 single, Killers, feature mid-way through the film. Brothers Evil E and Hen-Gee, both of whom would go on to work with Ice-T, feature in the film.

Featured songs

  • Born to love - Claudja Barry
  • Rappin' – Lovebug Starski
  • Snack Attack – Melvin Plowden, Mario Van Peebles, Eriq La Salle, Kadeem Hardison, Richie Abanes
  • The Fight Rap – Lovebug Starski
  • Neighborhood Walk – Mario Van Peebles
  • Itchin' For A Scratch – The Force M.D.'s
  • Flame In The Fire – Warren Mills
  • Call Me – D. Terrell
  • If You Want To (FU12) – Lajuan Carter
  • Golly Gee – Tuff, Inc.
  • First Love Never Dies – Eugene Wilde, Joanna Gardner

Reception

The film earned $2.9 million at the US box office.[4]

References

  1. ^ Rappin' at Box Office Mojo
  2. ^ Piskor, Ed (2016). Hip Hop Family Tree Vol.4. Seattle: Fantagraphics Books. p. 62.
  3. ^ JayQuan (2005). "Accept No Substitutes – The Original Master Gee". www.thafoundation.com. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  4. ^ Andrew Yule, Hollywood a Go-Go: The True Story of the Cannon Film Empire, Sphere Books, 1987 p111

External links

  • Rappin' at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  • New York Times review
  • The AV Club review
  • Rappin' at Rotten Tomatoes