Hip-Hop is one of the most powerful forces in all of popular culture. When combined with cinema, it can reach and affect an even greater audience.
Hip-Hop provides for the movie industry a unique way to launch cinema into pop culture. If you want to see how this fusion manifests, look no further than the upcoming LEGO BATMAN MOVIE. This new addition to the LEGO franchise uses Wiz Khalifa’s famous track “Black and Yellow” as its theme song (haha, get it?). Though the usage is clever, it is not the first of its kind. Let’s look at a few other creative movies that used Hip-Hop as soundtracks for scenes.
Run DMC’s lyrics in the GHOSTBUSTERS sequel imprinted into the minds of viewers an unforgettable line:”Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!” The film become the eighth-highest-grossing film of 1989, and the song reached a top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II: THE SECRET OF THE OOZE used Vanilla Ice’s turtle-themed track “Ninja Rap” back in 1991. The film debuted #1 at the box office. Vanilla Ice made an appearance in the movie as well, performing his track among his ninja turtle friends.
The 1992 film JUICE starring Tupac Shakur, Omar Epps, Jermaine Hopkins, Khalil Kain, and Samuel L. Jackson told the story of young teens coming of age in Harlem. The powerful movie showed the struggles of life in urban America, and used “Juice (Know the Ledge)” by Eric B. & Rakim as its theme song. The rap spoke volumes the pursuit of happiness and power, fitting for a film like this one.
In 1995 Method Man provided a track for BATMAN FOREVER, where he rapped about Batman’s nemesis, The Riddler. The track explored the schemes of The Riddler as he searched for The Dark Knight, twisting and turning through puzzles much like how Method Man masters and swerves through a nasty beat.
The 1998 film BELLY starring rappers Nas and DMX takes us into the minds of characters questioning their lives of crime. As the characters develop, they explore spirituality and existentialism. . The artists not only starred in the film, but also put out the song “Grand Finale,” a track featuring Method Man and Ja Rule.
In 2000 the film CHARLIE’S ANGELS showed us the world of strong female crime-fighters. Who better to provide a track for this feminist flick than Destiny’s Child? The trio of musicians mirrored the trio of crime fighters in the liberating song “Independent Woman Part 1.”
The 2012 film THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS told the story of warriors coming together to protect their home. The film, directed by musician RZA, used “Rivers of Blood,” a track by the Wu-Tang Clan and Kool G Rap. The song provided a fiery rhythm for a dynamic film.
2016’s DEADPOOL used many popular songs to attract viewers, one of which was “Shoop,” a classic by Salt-n-Pepa. The usage of the song in the film revitalized the 90’s hit, and it grew to a #19 spot on Billboard’s Hip-Hop and R&B downloads.
Rick Ross and DJ Skrillex came together to create “Purple Lamborghini” for the 2016 movie SUICIDE SQUAD, a song that accentuates The Joker’s favorite color as well as his vehicle in the film. Fans of the film can relive their experience in part by watching the music video for “Purple Lamborghini,” which stars Jared Leto.
The most recent example of Hip-Hop in a major film will be heard on February 10th, as a costumed Lego Batman and tatted rapper Wiz Khalifa team up in an adventure for the ages. The song “Black and Yellow,” is an anthem for the city of Pittsburgh, and soon will be for Gotham, too.
