For Release: Feb. 5, 2007
Independent Lens "Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes" is a personal and heartfelt documentary that explores gender roles in hip-hop and rap music. In this "loving critique" from a self-proclaimed "hip-hop head," filmmaker Byron Hurt tackles issues of masculinity, sexism, violence and homophobia in today's hip-hop culture by talking with rappers, moguls and fans. The documentary, which premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, airs Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 10/9 p.m. CT on KET2. Actor Terrence Howard hosts the program.
"Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes" features revealing interviews with rappers, including Mos Def, Chuck D and Busta Rhymes, and hip-hop moguls Russell Simmons and Chris Lighty. Also featured are interviews with young women at Spelman College, a historically black college and one of the nation's leading liberal arts institutions. "Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes" also reveals the complex intersection of culture, commerce and gender through interviews with aspiring rappers and fans at hip-hop events throughout the country.
The result is an engaging inside look at one of the most influential art forms of our time.
Independent Lens "Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes" is a co-production of God Bless the Child Productions, Inc. and the Independent Television Service in association with National Black Programming Consortium. More information about KET programming and education services, as well as how to support KET, can be found at www.ket.org.