Watch All the Streets Are Silent: The Convergence of Hip Hop and Skateboarding

All the Streets Are Silent: The Convergence of Hip Hop and Skateboarding is a fascinating documentary that chronicles the cultural and creative intersection of hip hop and skateboarding in New York City during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Directed by Jeremy Elkin, the film features interviews with some of the most influential figures of that era, including skaters, musicians, artists, and critics. Through their personal stories and recollections, the viewers gain insight into how skateboarding and hip hop evolved together in urban America and how they shaped each other's aesthetics and attitudes.

The documentary is structured as a series of vignettes, each of which focuses on a particular aspect of the emerging subculture. The first part of the film explores the origins of skateboarding, which was still a niche sport at the time, and how it attracted young people who were looking for an alternative to mainstream culture. The interviews with skaters such as Keith Hufnagel, Gino Iannucci, and Jefferson Pang reveal the rebellious and creative spirit of the skateboarding community, as well as their passion for finding new spots to ride and film.

The second part of the film shifts the focus to the emergence of hip hop as a dominant music genre and cultural force in the late 1980s. Through interviews with Rosario Dawson, Kim Hastreiter, and others, the viewers learn about the early days of hip hop and how it spread from the South Bronx to other parts of the city. They also learn about the diverse subgenres that emerged within hip hop, such as graffiti art, breakdancing, and DJing, and how they reinforced the sense of community among young people.

The third part of the film is where the two subcultures intersect and blend together, giving rise to a new, hybrid aesthetic. This section focuses on the role of NYC streetwear designers, such as Eli Gesner, in creating apparel that reflected the gritty, DIY ethos of skateboarding and the bold, colorful style of hip hop. The film also documents how music videos, such as Wu-Tang Clan's "Triumph" and A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario," became a platform for showcasing the synergy between skateboarding and hip hop. Interviews with rappers, such as Rakim, Ghostface Killah, and Onyx, attest to the deep mutual respect and admiration hip hop and skateboarding had for each other.

The fourth part of the film is devoted to the late Harold Hunter and Justin Pierce, two of the most charismatic and influential skaters of the early 1990s, who also had a significant impact on hip hop culture. Their personal stories, told through interviews with their friends and collaborators, are poignant and tragic, and shed light on the darker side of the subculture. The film also touches upon the role of race in both skateboarding and hip hop, and how both subcultures struggled with issues of identity and representation.

The last part of the film is a celebration of the enduring legacy of the hip hop and skateboarding convergence, as seen through the eyes of contemporary artists and designers who continue to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. The interviews with people such as Jeff Staple, Mark Gonzales, and Tyshawn Jones demonstrate how the DIY ethic, the spirit of collaboration, and the artistry of the early 1990s continue to inspire a new generation of artists and creatives.

Overall, All the Streets Are Silent is an insightful and compelling documentary that captures a pivotal moment in the history of urban subculture. The use of rare archival footage, combined with insightful commentary and personal anecdotes, makes this film a must-see for anyone interested in skateboarding, hip hop, or cultural history. The film does an excellent job of highlighting the connections between these two subcultures and the way they helped shape each other's evolution. In short, this is a movie that is both informative and entertaining, a fitting tribute to an iconic era in American popular culture.

All the Streets Are Silent: The Convergence of Hip Hop and Skateboarding is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes.