Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme (2000)

Plot Summary

From neighborhood ciphers to the most notorious MC battles, "Freestyle: the Art of Rhyme" captures the electrifying energy of improvisational hip-hop--the rarely recorded art form of rhyming spontaneously. Like preachers and jazz solos, freestyles exist only in the moment, a modern-day incarnation of the African-American storytelling tradition. Shot over a period of more than seven years, it is already an underground cult film in the hip-hop world. The film systematically debunks the false image put out by record companies that hip-hop culture is violent or money-obsessed. Instead, it lets real hip-hop artists, known and unknown, weave their story out of a passionate mix of language, politics, and spirituality.

Full Cast & Characters

Muhammad Ali

Himself

Planet Asia

Himself

Bahamadia

Herself

Akim Funk Buddah

Himself

Eluard Burt

Himself

Myo Campbell

Himself

John Coltrane

Himself

Darkleaf

Himself

Yasiin Bey

Himself

Kirby Dominant

Himself

DJ Kool Herc

Debi Mazar

Herself (archive footage)

Director & Crew

Where to Watch Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme Online

Frequently Asked Questions