From the category archives:

Full-Length Features

Thumbnail image for The Origins of Hip Hop Commemorated at the Bronx Museum of the Arts

The Origins of Hip Hop Commemorated at the Bronx Museum of the Arts

South Bronx, 1970s: A young man, circular fro, smiling, showing off his graffitied T-shirt.  He’s all at once curious, precocious, hopeful and fearless.  A burgeoning culture surrounds him, full of mixed influences, an environment that will either snuff out his future or propel him to greatness. This is the genesis of hip hop.
And someone took [...]

Thumbnail image for Interview with Buda Da Future: Producer for 50 Cent, Fred Da God

Interview with Buda Da Future: Producer for 50 Cent, Fred Da God

Buda Da Future has produced hits for artists such as 50 Cent and up and comers like Fred Da God. N.A.B. finds out more about his past work, future projects, and how he sees himself.

Thumbnail image for Q&A With Veteran Producer Domingo

Q&A With Veteran Producer Domingo

Veteran producer Domingo has laced tracks for some of hip-hop’s finest, as well as many unknowns. N.A.N./N.A.B. caught up with him to see whats he’s up to now.

Thumbnail image for Hip Hop Karaoke Championship At Irving Plaza

Hip Hop Karaoke Championship At Irving Plaza

The Hip Hop Karaoke Championship takes place at Irving Plaza Friday, Jan. 29, 2010. Birthplace Magazine’s Steven Ortiz interviews the founder of this unique event.

Thumbnail image for Through The Wire: Q&A With Julito McCullum aka J.Brice

Through The Wire: Q&A With Julito McCullum aka J.Brice

You may know Julito from his starring role in the HBO’s hit series “The Wire”. Since then, he had begun to pursue a career in music. N.A.B. caught up with him to discuss his current projects.

Thumbnail image for ‘Dollar Van Demos’ Films Music Videos On The Go

‘Dollar Van Demos’ Films Music Videos On The Go

To hit the musical success jackpot, all you need is a dollar (van) and a dream. Dollar Van Demos is a Brooklyn-based video production company that films music videos inside of a fully functioning licensed dollar van. While it’s driving around. While it’s picking up actual passengers.

Thumbnail image for Live, From New York… It’s Kevin Casey

Live, From New York… It’s Kevin Casey

When we first came across Live From New York: 1994-2001, we were impressed with the concept, execution and overall quality of the project, yet unfamiliar with its creator, Kevin Casey. We went so far as to suggest, “We’re pretty sure we should know who Kevin Casey is, because he can’t possibly be a total new jack. If he is, this is a damn fine rookie effort. If he’s not, then we slept.”

We didn’t sleep. It’s a damn fine rookie effort.

Thumbnail image for You Can’t Beat Deez Nuts

You Can’t Beat Deez Nuts

The Beatnuts’ JuJu and Psycho Les can now add theater to their impressive resume of production and musical work. Their new venture is called Deez Nuts, a workshop production produced by Peter Oasis and directed by Tommy Smith, blending live musical performances and autobiographical narratives based on their their lives growing up in Corona, Queens, and their musical journey

Thumbnail image for Shot in the Dark

Shot in the Dark

We look at the story of the story behind biopic “Shooting Star(s): The Rise of Hip-Hop Photographer Johnny Nunez” which premiered at the 2009 Urbanworld Film Festival, producers Axel Ebermann and Daniel Frei, documenting many examples of the tenacity that fashioned Nunez’ hard-clawed ascension to HNIC of the hip-hop paparazzi.

Re-Birthplace: Documenting New York’s (Hopeful) Hip-Hop Resurgence

In recent times, the murmuring of a NY rebirth has been slowly gaining in volume. Could a new era be upon us?

Capturing The Clan: Wu-Tang Documentary Director Gerald Barclay

Unfettered access during the 15 years since their ascension to near-godlike hip-hop status equipped Gerald “Gee Bee” Barclay with the materials needed to craft the viewed-from-behind-the-scenes, embedded-reporter-meets-Behind-The-Music documentary, Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan.

B One With The B-Boy

The Way of the B-boy is a self-described “documentary-slash-tutorial”, showcasing a equal amount of history and instruction. With help from Rock Steady Crew and Massive Monkees Crew B-boys Fever One and Jeromeskee, as well as other hip-hop and B-boy veterans.

From Cee to Shining Sea

“That’s me right there, man. I have to have that backpack, head-nod type of thing,” Fury explains. “Cats is missing out on that now. I’m trying to keep it in their face. I don’t want them to forget the essence of hip-hop.” And to that extent, Cee-Rock “The Fury” succeeds.

How Hip-Hop Helped Elect Barack Obama

While it is important to never lose sight of the painfully difficult times in our nation’s history, we can also afford to realize and be thankful that 18-40 years olds have been alive during a time where there has been an exponential acceptance of the ideals of racial and cultural integration, in no small part fueled by the general public’s exposure to, involvement with and acceptance of hip-hop music and culture.