Extraordinary Cinema: Hip Hop Film: Beat Street

After DJ Kenny Kirkland (Guy Davis), his B-boy brother Lee (Robert Taylor), and graffiti artist Ramon (Jon Chardiet) wow the crowd at the Roxy in Manhattan, composer Tracy Carlson (Rae Dawn Chong) offers to help them achieve their dreams. But an unexpected tragedy stands in their way...

Genre

Hip Hop
Price Range

$10.00
Runtime

120 minutes

Three men watch a dancer against a graffiti wall.

Program

Join us for a screening and discussion on the making of the film and its impact with Beat Street actor Gina Belafonte; Kennedy Center Vice President of International Programs Alicia Adams, who served as a production associate on Beat Street; and other guests to be announced.

About the film
After DJ Kenny Kirkland (Guy Davis), his B-boy brother Lee (Robert Taylor), and graffiti artist Ramon (Jon Chardiet) wow the crowd at the Roxy in Manhattan, composer Tracy Carlson (Rae Dawn Chong) offers to help them achieve their dreams. But an unexpected tragedy stands in their way...

The film features legendary dance battles between the famous Rock Steady Crew and New York City Breakers and musical performances by Grandmaster Melle Mel and the Furious Five, Doug E. Fresh, Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force, the Treacherous Three, Us Girls, and many others. Directed by Stan Lathan, produced by Harry Belafonte and David V. Picker, and scored by Arthur Baker, Beat Street is an invaluable document of early ’80s hip hop culture in New York.

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Sponsors

Universal Music Group

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