Last night I attended a second screening of The Hip Hop Project, a movie co-produced by Queen Latifah and Bruce Willis. It wasn't my first screening; I'd actually went to a smaller screening in February for the then little known film. This time around I brought along Art Director Alana Salcer to get her take on the film.The Hip Hop Project (HHP) is an
ArtStart funded program that takes inner city youth and develops their freestyling talent into inspiring, lyrically thoughtful music. The end of each project culminates in a production of a professionally produced album. HHP offers a bright light into the endless dark tunnel of the misogynistic, consumer-driven, violent themes that litter rap music today. The film follows Chris "Kazi" Rolle on a personal and lyrical journey as he tries to make sense of his Caribbean roots as an abandoned child and his life growing up and adjusting to New York City. As the founder of HHP, he takes his own personal struggles and allows his students to learn from him and inspire their music by reaching inside their own true selves. The result is raw, gut-wrenching, and unadulterated hip hop.
HHP is an ongoing project and continues to take in aspiring lyricists and artists. Find out more about the Hip Hop Project by visiting the
Hip Hop Project Online.
Kazi with Scott K. Rosenberg, Producer and and Matt Ruskin, DirectorPhoto: Alana Salcer
Scott K. Rosenberg and Bruce WillisPhoto: Alana Salcer
Kazi speaks after screening Photo: Alana Salcer
Q TipPhoto: Alana Salcer
Pras of the FugeesPhoto: Alana Salcer
Al SharptonPhoto: Alana Salcer
The Hip Hop ProjectPhoto: Alana Salcer
Kazi and fianc KheperahPhoto: Alana Salcer
Ed Lover hosts the after party at StereoPhoto: Alana Salcer
CaNNon, HHP alumPhoto: Alana Salcer
Princess, HHP alum and leaderPhoto: Alana Salcer
The Hip Hop Project premiers in theaters May 11, 2007.TatianaLavish Magaine. For Rich Minds. Be sure to visit the Lavish Magazine website at www.lavishmagonline.com
