Hip Hop At The Movies -- Through The Years

8 Mile
Directed by Curtis Hanson ('L.A Confidential'), '8 Mile' is a 2002 hip hop semi-autobiographical account of rapper Eminem's early years in relative poverty growing up in Detroit, and his early career in rap. Also starring in the film were Oscar winner Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, and Mekhi Phifer. The film won an Academy Award for the Best Original Song for Eminem's 'Lose Yourself,' becoming the first film with a rap/hip-hop song to win an Academy Award, becoming the first film with a rap/hip-hop song to win an Academy Award.

Hip Hop At The Movies -- Through The Years

Above The Rim
Starring Duane Martin, Leon Robinson, Tupac Shakur, Marlon Wayans and Christopher Andrews, 'Above the Rim' is a 1994 film that tells the story of a promising New York City high school basketball star (played by Martin) and his relationships with two people; one a drug dealer (played by Tupac) and the other a basketball star (played by Leon) now employed as a security guard at his former high school.

Hip Hop At The Movies -- Through The Years

ATL
'ATL' is a 2006 drama film and directorial debut of music video director Chris Robinson. It was also the film debut of rap artist T.I. Also starring Antwan Andre Patton, aka Big Boi of the rap group OutKast, Evan Ross, Jackie Long, Lauren London and Mykelti Williamson, the film is a coming-of-age tale of four friends on the verge of adulthood. It's loosely based on the experiences of the film's producers Dallas Austin and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins (of the R&B group TLC) growing up in Atlanta.

Hip Hop At The Movies -- Through The Years

Beat Street
Following the release of 'Wild Style,' 'Beat Street' was also focused on break dancing, DJing, and graffiti. Directed by Stan Lathan in 1984, the movie starred Guy Davis, Rae Dawn Chong, Mary Alice, Saundra Santiago, and Franc Reyes. Artists such as Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force, Doug E. Fresh, Clive "Kool Herc" Campbell, and Grandmaster Melle Mel & the Furious Five made cameo appearances and were also featured on the soundtrack.

Hip Hop At The Movies -- Through The Years

Belly
Music video director Hype Williams made his feature film debut in 1998 with 'Belly,' which starred rappers DMX and Nas, Method Man, Vita, dancehall artist Louie Rankin, and R&B singer T-Boz from TLC. The story centered on a pair of vicious black gangsters who have spiritual awakenings.

Hip Hop At The Movies -- Through The Years

Boyz N The Hood
Directed by John Singleton in 1991, 'Boyz N the Hood' is a gritty portrayal of life in South Central Los Angeles.The film starred a host of newcomers, including rapper Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Angela Bassett, and Regina King. It was nominated for an Academy Award for best director and original screenplay in 1991, making Singleton the youngest person ever nominated for best director and the first African American.

Hip Hop At The Movies -- Through The Years

Breakin'
Breakin' is a 1984 breakdancing-themed film that starred Lucinda Dickey, Adolfo Quinones, and Michael Chambers. Rapper Ice-T made his film debut in the film, which centered on a struggling young jazz dancer (played by Dickey) meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds.

Hip Hop At The Movies -- Through The Years

Brown Sugar
Written by Michael Elliott and Rick Famuyiwa (who served as director) 'Brown Sugar' is a 2002 romantic film about a hip-hop record executive (played by Taye Diggs) and a magazine editor (played by Sanaa Lathan) who have been friends since childhood but find themselves falling for each other. The film also starred Nicole Ari Parker, Boris Kodjoe, Queen Latifah and Mos Def, with cameos from Kool G Rap, Pete Rock, Common, Method Man, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Talib Kweli, and Fabolous.

Hip Hop At The Movies -- Through The Years

Hip Hop At The Movies -- Through The Years

Carmen: A Hip Hopera
Directed by Robert Townsend in 2001 and based upon Georges Bizet's opera, 'Carmen,' 'Carmen: A Hip Hopera' starred Beyoncé Knowles, Mos Def, Rah Digga, Wyclef Jean, Mekhi Phifer, Da Brat, Joy Bryant, Jermaine Dupri and Bow Wow.

Hip Hop At The Movies -- Through The Years