One of hip hop’s most iconic films, Beat Street (Orion), was released on June 8, 1984. The Bronx-based drama, produced by movie and music great Harry Belafonte, premiered a month after the box-office success of fellow breakdancing blockbuster, Breakin’ (MGM), and revolved around the bubbling graffiti, breakdancing and rap scene in New York City. While the more mainstream Beat Street is not viewed by critics and rap historians with the same groundbreaking reverence as 1982’s independent film Wild Style (Rhino), the Stan Lathan-directed flick still managed to gain classic status, propelled by its memorable breakdancing battle sequences between the legendary New York City Breakers and the Rock Steady Crew.
The inclusion of hip hop heavyweights Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five and Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force as well as future superstars Doug E. Fresh and the Treacherous Three featuring Kool Moe D also helped the flick gain credibility. With this year marking the 25th anniversary of Beat Street, true B-boys and B-girls salute.
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