What's Good Ya'll! As we all know by now Hip-Hop has influenced every facet of the entertainment industry. From other musical genres like rock, to sports, television and movies. It's still #spookyseason so I would love to dedicate this next article to my love of horror and Hip-Hop as we continue to celebrate Hip-Hops' 50th Anniversary. And I'm sensitive about my lists so not too much in the comments.
1. Anaconda
Anaconda truly is an underrated JLO film in my opinion. And this isn't your typical horror film which is another reason why I love this iconic film, there are no benevolent spirits or entities that they are up against. Instead its human vs. nature and per usual had humans stayed their ass at home they wouldn't be in that mess, but alas, we wouldn't have such a dope film right lol. Another reason why this movie deserves a playback is because it was truly one of those breakout films that pretty much solidified Ice Cube as an actor. No, I haven't forgotten him in classics like Boyz in the Hood or Friday or Players Club even, but let's be real those movies are for US. This was an opportunity for Cube to branch out and I'm so glad he had this role because so many other great opportunities outside of movies for US also came about.
2. Halloween H20
Halloween H20 is actually my favorite Michael Myers' film in the entire genre. What made this film so dope to me was not only the storyline but the cast was great, especially when introducing an old horror to a new audience. 20 years later and Michael Myers was still on his best bs looking for Laurie. I was a huge Josh Harnett fan as a teen lol and I LOVED me some LL Cool J. What made this role so cool for LL is that he was the unlikely hero and because he was black you really just thought he was gonna die first lol I wish they had done a better job with the storyline after this but it just got crazy so theres that lol.
3. Bones
Bones was truly an underrated iconic hood horror. Now it is labeled as a Blaxploitation ( A variant of the exploitation film consisting of low- to mid-budget, non-mainstream, US genre films starring black actors in key roles, and originally intended for black urban audiences.), now depending on how you take that this can be viewed as a good thing or a bad thing. But that aside I love the hell out of this movie. For one, I love Snoop Dogg acting in anything and I wish he would do it more. Secondly, Pam MF GRIER!! BABY talk about iconic!! I don't think Pam Grier has been appreciated for the icon that she is. Lastly, as typical as the storyline was, it was a perfect setting for a horror film. The hood and horror so obviously go hand in hand with all the things one can witness growing up in such an environment. I'm not saying everyone experiences violence and crime in the hood but typically that can be the case and what better way to send retribution to those who go against the street code by attaching a phantasm named Jimmy Bones to the hood. The role was made for Snoop!
4. Ghosts of Mars
This movie is one of those straight to DVD movies and it really shouldn't have been. It's an underrated John Carpenter film and an underrated Ice Cube film. Cube really is the star the entire film. He dominates being witty, being an action hero and just being himself honestly lol. I mean can we be honest friends? lol Cube is himself in every single role lol BUT I LOVE him and I always look forward to him being him in every role lol. Within this film we have another moment in history in which we are blessed with the presence of Ms. Pam Grier. This was also my first introduction to Jason Statham so there is that as well lol. The movies plot is simple really, We finally got our ass on Mars and we obviously don't belong there because theirs another species on the planet that is nothing like us and they killing everybody lol. I love this movie run that shit back mayne!!!
5. Tales from the hood
Last but certainly not least, I cannot make a horror list without mentioning Tales from the hood, that would be crazy lol. Now there isn't anyone notable from Hip-Hop in this film, however, that doesn't mean Hip-Hop is excluded from the conversation. There are hints of Hip-Hops influence within this film, alongside the fact that the soundtrack is ALL Hip-Hop from various artists including Scarface, 'Ol Dirty Bastard and Gravediggaz.
The film itself is iconic not only because of a rockstar cast but also because this is a black horror movie with mini horror anthological stories that mimic reality that tell relatable tales...What is not to love here?! And can we jut take a quick minute to appreciate the being that is David Allen Grier. Typically seen as the funny man (because who can forget his role as the pastor on Martin, or his contribution In Living Single), in Tales from the Hood he plays a role that is so far from what you think he would and he did what needed to be done ok!! I am so glad this is still an US movie (somewhat lol they revamped it on Netflix and you know how that goes lol) its such a black classic and all I'mma say is RUN THAT SHIT BACK!!!
Hip-Hop is just now being viewed as the jewel we have always known it to be and while I'm beyond proud of the achievements and heights Hip-Hop and its artists have achieved, I kind of wish we had gate kept it a little more or longer rather. We are finally seeing a new renaissance within the genre as the ladies are quickly dominating the arena and influence on how we view the rap game. But to wrap this shit up lol I love horror and I love Hip-Hop so I hope you enjoyed what I consider to be my top five favorite hip-hop horror classics of all time! and for the last time RUN THEM SHITS BACK MAYNE!!!
תגובות