Hip-Hop artists create some of the most vivid stories put to music. Why not start turning some of these songs into films?
8. GRAVEDIGGAZ "DIARY OF A MADMAN"
There is so much wicked imagery in this song that it could be one hell of a psychological horror flick with an all black main cast. And I'm not thinking BET "Blackbuster" here...I'm talking the big screen. The film could be centered around the courtroom with all 4 defendants flashing back to their horrific crimes in vivid detail. Drop that shit around Halloween, call it "Diary Of The Madmen" and sit back and watch the money roll in. "Blair Witch" made millions...you tellin' me this shit wouldn't work?
7. A TRIBE CALLED QUEST "I LEFT MY WALLET IN EL SEGUNDO"
This would make for a great comedy. 3 friends set out on a hunt for the wallet they left in El Segundo. The song provides the basis for the drive there and Hollywood could fill in the mayhem that would ensue going back to retrieve the wallet. Hell Q-Tip could star in this one since he's the one who has his feet wet in the acting world. Who would play Phife and Ali? You could even cut to scenes of Q-Tip's mom on her month-long trip. Comedic gold.
6. JAY-Z "LOST ONE"
Jay-Z as Executive Producer? Oh Yes. Lyrically "Lost One" makes the listener feel like they are watching a movie so why not take the next step? The three verses tell three unique stories that have affected the life of one person. Jay could get Scorsese to direct and we'd be looking at one hell of a film. Think about the emotion that could be pulled out of the verse about the death of Jay's nephew Colleek. And damn, imagine us getting the real Roc-A-Fella story from verse #1? "Sam Rothstein" has gotta be in this film somewhere.
5. MOS DEF "MS. FAT BOOTY"
We've all met "that girl", got it poppin' and then "she gone like it was magic." The story of "Ms. Fat Booty" could be turned into one of those cool, smoky, jazzy, lovers type films. I think Spike Lee directing is a must. Mos could star since he can ACTUALLY act.
Showin me that tan line and that tattoo
Playin Sade, "Sweetest Taboo"
Burnin candles, all my other plans got canceled
Man I smashed it like an Idaho potato
That is one portion of "Ms. Fat Booty" that could be pulled right from the song and dropped in the film. The question is what actress would Mos get to smash "like an Idaho potato?" Yeah there was a video but it only scratched the surface.
4. PHAROAHE MONCH "WHEN THE GUN DRAWS"
This one has artsy written all over it. Pharoahe's song could be the basis for a low budget flick told from the perspective of the bullet (don't pretend like you haven't seen stranger movies). As with the song itself, the film could show the bullet in different moments in history completing its work along with its everyday havoc caused in countless cities around the world. "Mr. Bullet" sounds like an excellent title for the movie. Think about seeing the death of Martin Luther King Jr. through the eyes of the bullet? Or JFK's death? Get Pharoahe to create the film's soundtrack and you've got one powerful piece of art.
3. T.I. "TOLD YOU SO"
Here is a link to the "Told You So" lyrics to refresh your memory.
"Told You So" is the perfect canvas for an "8 Mile" style film about T.I.'s rise to fame. The song only goes to a certain point in his career so a lot of info would have to be tacked on. I love the second verse though where you can just picture P$C, Killer Mike, David Banner, TIP and Youngbloodz on their grind before the world knew their names, ridin' around tryin' to get on. That would be a powerful scene in the film. As T.I.'s story continues to build, I honestly think a film like this would be entertaining and "Told You So" is a great starting point for much of the inspiration.
2. WU-TANG CLAN "THE M.G.M."
Have you seen the movie "Snake Eyes?" Dope film right? Yeah well that's nothing compared to Rae and Ghost's night at "The M.G.M." Rae and Ghost laid the foundation for the perfect tension filled fight night in Las Vegas. Tell me you don't wanna see Rae pull out "the doodle twist." Seriously though, this is one of those Hip-Hop songs that can get your heart racing and it would be no different on the big screen. It's time for another thriller based around a boxing fight in Vegas and with Deion Sanders, Chante Moore and "two Japanese birds" in the mix, this one has all the makings of a great flick.
1. KANYE WEST "BIG BROTHER"
I can't begin to describe how pissed I am that there was never a video for this song. Forget "Spaceship" videos from '04, I wanted an unreleased documentary style video for this track. Since that will never happen, "Big Brother" would make an excellent movie based on Kanye's rise to fame and the role Jay-Z and others played in him getting to the top. I need a scene where Kanye is told he could "buy two tickets." It would be a perfect opportunity to see how a Kanye rant looks on the big screen haha.
Fresh off the plane, Im off to Baseline
Nothin' handed out, I'm 'bout to take mine
'Round the same time of that "Blueprint" one
And these beats in my pocket was that "Blueprint" for him
I'd play my little songs in that old back room
He'll bob his head and say "Damn! Oh, that's you?"
If you can't see how that could be a scene in a movie you hate the cinema.
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