Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap

August 2012

(125)

Synopsis

Visually luscious and drenched with the big beats of classic cuts and freestyle rhyming by some of the masters of the music, SOMETHING FROM NOTHING: THE ART OF RAP is a performance documentary about the runaway juggernaut that is Hip-Hop. At the wheel of this unstoppable beast is Ice-T, who takes us on a personal journey into the asphalt roots of the music that saved his life. This film is not about stardom, bling, or beef; it's about the craft and skill - what goes on inside the minds and erupts from the lips of rap legends. Ice-T travels from coast to coast, engaging intimately with the likes of Afrika Bambaataa, Eminem, Nas, Mos Def, Kanye West, Chuck D, KRS-One, Snoop Dogg, Run-DMC, and Ice Cube. The film features original rapping and some classic never heard before a cappellas from the mouths of the creators. What emerges is a mighty soul tribute to the original American art form that brought poetry to a new generation.
MPAA Rating: R 2012 The Art of Rap Films LTD

Reviews

4.4

125 total

5 87

4 19

3 8

2 4

1 7

Tom Huddleston

There's no faulting the lyrical excellence on display. These guys are legends for a reason.

Michelle Orange

Rap confirms the art of the form from the inside. Only time can sort out the rest.

Kevin C. Johnson

Essential viewing and a nice companion piece to "Wild Style," "Style Wars" and other key hip-hop documentaries.

Sara Stewart

In his debut as a documentarian, Ice T creates a vibrant portrait of how and why rap came to be.

Nicolas Rapold

This is a film that does sweat the technique, with at times illuminating and spirited results.

Michael Phillips

The interviews are often revealing and funny. And much of the music is tremendous.

Critic reviews

Tom Huddleston

There's no faulting the lyrical excellence on display. These guys are legends for a reason.

Full Review

Michelle Orange

Rap confirms the art of the form from the inside. Only time can sort out the rest.

Full Review

Kevin C. Johnson

Essential viewing and a nice companion piece to "Wild Style," "Style Wars" and other key hip-hop documentaries.

Full Review

Sara Stewart

In his debut as a documentarian, Ice T creates a vibrant portrait of how and why rap came to be.

Full Review

Nicolas Rapold

This is a film that does sweat the technique, with at times illuminating and spirited results.

Full Review

Michael Phillips

The interviews are often revealing and funny. And much of the music is tremendous.

Full Review

Joe Neumaier

The faces and voices are endlessly compelling as they talk about what inspires them to lay down beats and recall the early days in New York.

Full Review

User reviews

A Google User October 5, 2012

Stealing Music...lets call it RAP! Some rap is cool but most-and i mean most is garbage. When rappers cant come up with their own, original sounds they steal it-oh, im sorry...they SAMPLE it. What a croc. Most rap os about 'bitches and hoes' and the oppression by the White man/cops/judge, whatever. Sorry playas, its not art. Kid youreselves all you want. Groups like Public Enemy rapped about real issues, with talent and original beats and sounds. Now, the "issues" should include the horrible, poisonous, and infectious corrosion called rap music. No one should be proud of what rap music has evolved into. Unfortunately, criticism of rap as a whole is usually met with accusations of racism...im sure this critique will be no different.

A Google User October 8, 2012

just in I'd like to thank everyone committing the; Rap Documentary it appears most believe it was a job well done; However, many Seemed to use this forum to vent about personal problems Not kool! I'd like to thank everyone committing the; Rap Documentary it appears most believe it was a job well done; However, many Seemed to use this forum to vent about personal problems Not kool!

A Google User November 15, 2012

Something from Nothing The Art of Rap This is one of the best documentaries on one aspect of hip hop bar none. A must see for any hip hop fan. Should of had some more artist like Kool G Rap, De La Soul, MF Doom, Planet Asia, Wildchild, Roxanne Shante, Queen Latifah, Grand Puba and Sadat X, Spoonie G, Masta Ace, Genius/GZA, Ghostface Killa, Wu-Tang...and it should have been longer.And to the dumb assholes talking about samples, stealing music, and Rap is crap. That's BULLSHIT because it's a documentary about Lyrics, Lyricism And Lyricist. Idiots

Mita Torres March 7, 2013

A Google User Who Supports Hip Hop 100% I Think It Was Great. I Really Enjoyed It. I Will See It Again. And To ALL The Hip Hop Haters & Down Graders Please Grow Up. Hip Hop Was, Is & Will ALWAYS Be #1.

A Google User September 24, 2012

The "B" camera ruins the whole movie for me Often times a documentary crew will roll 2 cameras at once for style & coverage to assist in editing. The second camera in this film is just an awful shaky vomit inducing mess. Completely distracting and unnecessary.

A Google User September 22, 2012

The Art of Rap These are the real hip hop players must I say.Img 55yrs in to this and those players that think there players are and have been played by them selves,because give credit no give the respect!!!!!!where it's do to those real players who let you in! $$$$ Ice no dis to you or any wives out there,your men are hip hop and that's not Wales lol if you think so then who ever does need more schoolin thts my word .word!

A Google User September 20, 2012

Hip hop 101 And good and very brief introduction to true hip hop culture for the uninitiated, which is pretty much everyone. If your primary exposure to hip hop comes from the radio, mtv, and better then this documentary will give you a peak into actual hip hop with legends like Melle Mel, Grandmaster Caz, BDK, and KRS-One. If you're already steeped in hip hop culture and history as I am then this documentary offers up some great freestyles and interviews with these legends.

A Google User September 23, 2012

Legends of The Game This doc was truly on. The hall of famers of the hip hop genre. Best of the best, cream of the crop, the political statement by da people that formed a culture we now call hip hop.

A Google User September 24, 2012

Amazing As a hip hop head this was great! A must see.

Jason Flynn July 20, 2013

Love it The movie from start to finish is nothing but real talk.. what has happened to hip-hop??

A Google User September 24, 2012

Love it Good for lovers of rap. Great inspiration for rappers.

A Google User September 19, 2012

Amazing!!! A very well put together documentary. The title says it all its the art of hip hop, forget the BS its just about the art!!!

Jackie Johnson January 28, 2014

Great Love the movie, the only thing that I wish wasn't in that movie was Kanye West. He's not hip hop to me, HE'S A POP ACT LIKE NICKI MINAJ.

A Google User September 25, 2012

Hip hop I'm glad there's a movie out that talks to the artist. It's been along Time coming

Caleb Campbell June 8, 2014

Props where props are due! Love the deep roots of the hip hop life. And where the art is moving to. Amazing that the truth is truth

jarriel pines March 5, 2014

Excellent doc 5 stars . Must see for any M.C.

Lucas Hickey March 8, 2013

Loved It

A Google User September 28, 2012

Ice T Killed it! This is a must see for anyone that loves hip hop!

Cianna Wszolek January 5, 2014

Epic Best movie ever!

A Google User September 19, 2012

Rap really isn't a type of music Just garbage

Cast and credits

Actors	Ice-T, Afrika Bambaataa, B-Real, Big Daddy Kane, Bun, Chuck, Common, Dana Dane, Dj Premier, Doug Fresh, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Freddie Foxxx, Grandmaster Caz, Ice Cube, Immortal Technique, Joe Budden, Kanye West, Krs-One, Kool Keith
Producers	David Kaplan
Director	Ice-T, Andy Baybutt

Additional information

Rotten tomatoes® score

92%

Audio language

English (Stereo)

Rental period

Start within 30 days, finish within 48 hours.

Run time

111 minutes

Documentary

Presented by the Coen Brothers and T Bone Burnett comes a concert inspired by the Coen Brothers' film, 'Inside Llewyn Davis,' which is set in the 1960s Greenwich Village folk music scene, featuring live performances of the film's music, as well as songs from the early 1960s. Performers include Jack White, Marcus Mumford, Joan Baez, Patti Smith, the Avett Brothers, Punch Brothers, Dave Rawlings Machine, Gillian Welch, Rhiannon Giddens, Lake Street Dive, Colin Meloy, The Milk Carton Kids, and Willie Watson, as well as the star of the film Oscar Isaac.