Oscar winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay (13th & the upcoming Humboldt-shot A Wrinkle in Time) takes viewers back to 1989 to explore the origins of contemporary hip-hop, when a group of L.A. teenagers would gather in a local health food store called "The Good Life" and experiment with new rhyme patterns, melodic concepts, and lyrical styles. Twenty years later, their innovations would be used by some of the biggest stars on the hip-hop scene... After the film, stars and hip-hop innovators Abstract Rude and Myka 9 will give a Q & A, and they will perform a set as Haiku de Kodename with Moka Only at 10:00 pm!
"This is the Life vaults into the upper echelons of must-see hip-hop documentaries. It's smart, informative, and hugely important historically." - LA Weekly
"A rich narrative of praise, clarification, brother-and-sisterhood and the birth of cool.” - Los Angeles Times
...Why is it that the very people who helped to push hip-hop in such exciting new directions now languish in obscurity, while their innovations have made millions for the recording industry? Much like the jazz heroes of yesteryear, these tireless street poets have gained a global cult following that stretches from Germany to England and Japan. In this film, viewers are invited to ponder the many obstacles to commercial success by witnessing the rise and fall of a remarkable, and truly gifted family of artists including Pigeon John, Abstract Rude, Myka 9, Medusa, Volume 10, Busdriver, and the venerated Freestyle Fellowship. Not rated, 97 mins.
***Please note that NO OUTSIDE DRINKS OR FOOD are allowed inside Richards' Goat Tavern for legal reasons and violators of this rule may be banned from the theatre permanently. Cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, popcorn, and cookies are available at the bar. If you are interested in one of our hot food specials, please show up at least 30 minutes early to finish it in the bar area, as hot food is not allowed inside the dark theatre for your safety. Thank you, see you at the movies!