Watch Set In The West: The Genesis of L.A. Hip Hop

Set in the West: The Genesis of L.A. Hip Hop is a documentary film directed by DJ Critical Hype, which takes a close look at the origins of the hip hop scene in Los Angeles during the 1970s and 1980s. The documentary features interviews with some of the pioneers of the west coast rap scene, including Lonzo Williams, Egyptian Lover, and Ice-T, among others.

The film traces the roots of L.A. hip hop back to the early days of block parties in South Central and Watts, where DJs would spin records and MCs would hype up the crowd. Williams, who was a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru, is credited with being one of the first DJs to play rap music on the radio in Los Angeles. He talks about the challenges he faced in getting airplay for his mixtapes, which included both west coast and east coast rap.

Egyptian Lover, who was part of the seminal hip hop crew Uncle Jamm's Army, talks about the importance of building a local scene and cultivating a following. He and his crew would throw parties at venues like the L.A. Sports Arena and the Hollywood Palladium, drawing thousands of fans and showcasing local talent like Dr. Dre and DJ Yella.

The film also delves into the social and political context of the era, highlighting the impact of police brutality and gang violence on the black community in Los Angeles. Ice-T, who was a gang member before becoming a rapper, talks about the role that hip hop played in giving voice to young people who felt marginalized and oppressed.

Throughout the film, there is a strong emphasis on the creativity and innovation of the early L.A. hip hop scene. We see how DJs and MCs would use turntables, drum machines, and samplers to create new sounds and beats, drawing from both funk and disco music. We also hear from musicians like Arabian Prince, who talk about the process of recording and producing music in the pre-digital age.

Overall, Set in the West: The Genesis of L.A. Hip Hop is a fascinating and engaging look at a pivotal moment in the history of hip hop. The documentary does an excellent job of capturing the energy and excitement of the early days of the west coast rap scene, and of showcasing the contributions of the artists who helped shape the genre. Whether you're a die-hard hip hop fan or simply interested in the history of music, this film is definitely worth checking out.

Set In The West: The Genesis of L.A. Hip Hop is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes.