THE SHOW

Hip-hop and foul talk are showcased in THE SHOW. Alternating between concert footage and interviews, this documentary shows rap acts prancing on stage and preaching on rage. The film loosely focuses on the Def Jam label, co-founder Russell Simmons. It starts with Simmons taking a drive to a jail to visit incarcerated Slick Rick. Acts are then visited on stage performing loud, unintelligible and lackluster renditions of their tunes. Interviewed backstage or on tour buses, each group continues to put on their “gangsta” act and dishes out your basic hip-hop jargon on the “hood,” money, fame, or free-living.

Dramatically, THE SHOW is mediocre. It does not build to any thematic conclusion. Nor do the interviews and stage performances entertain. Morally, THE SHOW is atrocious. Someone should have washed these boy’s mouths out with soap. Everyone in this movie uses the “F” word repeatedly and calls each other a word that rhymes with bigger. Some of the performers turn-up their noses at the idea of being role models and light up marijuana or land themselves in prison for assault. America does not need THE SHOW to remind them of these urban stereotypes. When hip-hop musicians start behaving in ways that are contrary to our perceptions, then they may be worthy of a 90 minute documentary. Until then, we will have to settle for THE SHOW.