1984 saw the release of Hip-Hops' second full length feature film Beat Street. The first was Charlie Aherns' Wild Style which preceded Beat Street by a year. Both of these films showcased New York Hip-Hop culture of the early 80's. Beat Street focused on the struggles of Blacks and Latinos in The Bronx that had a desire to be a part of the budging scene.
The story begins with the main characters preparing to do a party in an abandon building and stealing electricity to power the turntables that provide the music. Both abandon-burned out buildings and stealing electricity to do parties were facts of life in the Bronx- in the 70's and early 80's. The movie also focused on the life of a Graffiti writer who insists on being All-City. These realistic themes in the film really strike a chord with New Yorkers who experienced most of what is highlighted in the movie. Beat Street does a great job at capturing the feel of New York City in the early 80's.
Beat Street was directed by Stan Lathan- father of Sana Lathan and It was produced by singer, actor and activist Harry Belafonte. This classic bit of film making includes cameo appearances by Hip-Hop legends like Afrika Bambaataa, Kool Herc, Jazzy Jay, Doug E. Fresh, The Us Girls, The Treacherous 3, The New York City Breakers, The Rock Steady Crew, The Magnificent Force, Grand Master Melle Mel and more.
The trained actors in the film include Rae Dawn Chong, daughter of Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong. The motherly role of Miss Kirkland was played by Mary Alice, who went on to star in the historical blockbuster mega-film The Matrix. The role of Kenny Kirkland was played by Guy Davis, the son Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.
The story takes place in winter, at the end of the year in New York City. It's not a holiday movie per se, however it does take place during the holiday season. The movie goes flat at the end when a gospel choir takes the stage in a sequence that lasts too long. It is however a classic among Hip-Hop films.