SYNOPSIS - s3. · PDF filecontacts press Although it started ... Bad Rap is his first film as...
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Transcript of SYNOPSIS - s3. · PDF filecontacts press Although it started ... Bad Rap is his first film as...
SYNOPSIS
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS FILM?
THE DOCUMENTARY
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Emma Griffiths
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Jaeki Cho
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Although it started in the South Bronx among African-American and Latino youths in the ‘70s, hip-hop culture today has transcended all racial and language boundaries. From the slums of France to nationally televised programs in Korea, rappers have emerged as legitimate pop culture stars around the world. Hip-hop’s global movement is diverse, but the face of rap in America remains primarily black, brown, and white.
Bad Rap follows the lives and careers of four Asian-American rappers trying to break into a world that often treats them as outsiders. Sharing dynamic live performance footage and revealing interviews, these artists make the most skeptical critics into believers.
From battle rhymes of crowd-favorite Dumbfoundead to the tongue-in-cheek songs of Awkwafina, the unapologetic visuals of Rekstizzy to conflicted values of Lyricks, the film paints a memorable portrait of artistic passion in the face of an unsung struggle.
Salima (director/producer) first got in touch with Jaeki (producer), after reading an article he wrote about the world-famous K-pop star G-Dragon. Salima was searching for a subject to cover for her thesis at Columbia University, and reached out to Jaeki for advice on covering Asian musicians. After going back and forth on the phone for hours, they settled on a subject: their mutual obsession with hip-hop. And that turned into Bad Rap.
For Salima, it’s a subject that she had little idea existed, but has grown to love more than anyone. As for Jaeki, it’s something he supported all along, but couldn’t find the medium to share it with the world. Salima can use a camera and Jaeki is great with people; it was a perfect marriage of creative ideals that naturally evolved into a film.
The duo’s goal is to tell the story of four talented rappers on the come-up, and in the process, share the struggles and triumphs of Asian-American artists through rappers who’ve built the foundation, and those who are still making the climb.
badrapfilm.com
FEATURED MUSICIANS
FILMMAKER BIOGRAPHIES
He earned his huge following as a freestyle battle champ in California’s Grind Time circuit. His YouTube and social media savvy helped to establish him as one of hip-hop’s most recognized independent rap artists. So why isn’t he marketable?
She’s quirky, funny, and blew up after her music video “My Vag” became a viral hit and praised by New York Magazine and Buzzfeed. Cynics say she’s only marketable because she’s a woman, but is that really the case? And can she have longevity in a genre that has long relegated Asian women to the role of exotic ornaments?
His name is inspired by recklessness and he’s known for his wild stage antics and left-field personality. He wants to share his innovative ideas and push the envelope, but too often his outrageous creativity blatantly crosses boundaries and makes some people uncomfortable. But is his bold style what’s needed for an Asian American to break through the mainstream?
He started his career with a strong emphasis on Christian values. Now, unsure of his artistic identity and having to support his aging parents, Lyricks stands at the crossroads, trying to figure out how to move forward as an artist.
Bad Rap is Salima’s directorial debut. She’s a former video producer for Time Magazine, NowThis, and Current TV, and a hip-hop and K-pop news writer. Salima is currently at work writing screenplays for film and television.
Throughout his late teens and early 20s, Jaeki pursued a career in music journalism, writing for publications such as Complex, VIBE, Billboard, and working as an editor for XXL. He doesn’t write about rap as much, but stays occupied producing sneaker collaborations, clothes, and music videos. Bad Rap is his first film as a producer.
dumbfoundead Los Angeles, California
awkwafina Queens, New York
rekstizzy Queens, New York
lyricks Fairfax, Virginia
salima koroma Director/Producer
jaeki cho Producer
directed, produced, shot & edited by
sound design & sound mix
execute producers
special appearancesproduced by
colorist
associate producersnew york camera hands
graphic design
los angeles camera handsmotion graphics
production assistants
salima koroma
marcus hahm
johnjay chon, charlie shin, hamhyun sunim, kab jae cho
mc jin, shogunna, traphik, jay park, kero one, the fung brothers, far east movement, ted chung, danny chung,
oliver wang, ebro darden, damien scott, riggs morales, jonathan briks
jaeki cho
phillip choe
jared miller, hyeokjune kwon matthew claiborne, adam perez,
jika gonzalez, tenzin shakya, gayatri kaul
soo kim
rei estradajustin weiss
sanaa young, sharon pelaez, jessica wang, kimi lee
