Watch Legends of Freestyle

The movie Legends of Freestyle from 2016 is a documentary style film that explores the history and culture of freestyle music, a genre that originated in the 1980s in New York City. The film features interviews with some of the genre's most influential artists, including Lisa Lisa, Steve Stanulis, and Freedom Williams, who share their personal stories and experiences with the audience.

The film opens with a brief history of freestyle music, explaining how it emerged from the disco and hip-hop scenes of the 1970s and 1980s in New York City. It then delves into the lives of some of the genre's most popular artists, such as Lisa Lisa, who rose to fame in the mid-1980s as frontwoman of the group Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam.

Lisa Lisa discusses her childhood and how she became interested in music at a young age. She then talks about how she got her start in the music industry, with her first single "I Wonder If I Take You Home" becoming an instant hit. She goes on to discuss her collaborations with other artists and how she has remained relevant in the industry over the years.

The film also features interviews with Steve Stanulis, a former bodyguard for celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Kanye West, who started his own record label in the 1990s. Stanulis discusses his experiences in the music industry and provides insight into the challenges of breaking into the business.

Another artist featured in the film is Freedom Williams, who gained fame as the lead vocalist for the group C+C Music Factory. Williams talks about his upbringing and how he first became interested in music. He also discusses his experiences in the music industry, including the ups and downs of working with a group and the challenges of going solo.

Throughout the film, the audience is treated to footage of some of freestyle's most memorable performances, including Lisa Lisa's iconic performance of "All Cried Out" on American Bandstand in 1986, and C+C Music Factory's high-energy live shows. The film also explores the impact that freestyle music has had on popular culture, with clips from movies and TV shows that have featured the genre's music, such as "Breaking" and "Carlito's Way."

In addition to interviews with artists, the film also includes commentary from music industry insiders and experts who discuss the impact that freestyle music has had on the industry at large. They talk about how the genre paved the way for other types of music, including house, techno, and EDM, and how its influence can still be heard in contemporary pop music today.

Overall, Legends of Freestyle is a fascinating look at a genre of music that has remained popular over the years and continues to influence music today. The interviews with some of the genre's most influential artists, along with the footage of some of its most memorable performances, create a compelling and informative documentary that is sure to delight fans of freestyle music and music documentaries alike.

Legends of Freestyle is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.