Are you still watching?
We’ve all been there, hours deep into our favorite show and Netflix has the nerve to ask if we’re still invested. Since binge-watching has become such an inseparable part of the Netflix experience I thought it was time to put together a list reflecting some of the most hip-hop centric titles offered on the platform. While titles are shuffled monthly there are quite a few titles that I would’ve loved to include that are no longer available for instant streaming, namely “Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton” & “The Art of Rap”, I still highly encourage to seek out those and other titles that may interest you but are no longer available on Netflix. With that being said, let’s count down the 15 shows, Documentaries and Films that you can press play on right now.
The Art of Organized Noize
One of the best documentaries about Southern hip-hop in recent memory, The Art of Organized Noize recounts the rise of Atlanta's enigmatic trio Organized Noize. The group, consisting of Rico Wade, Sleepy Brown and Ray Murray was instrumental in the rise of groups like Goodie Mob and Outkast. With in-depth interviews from the likes of Andre 3000, Future, and 2 Chainz, who's seen holding a joint resembling a Lousiville Slugger, this film touches on those both directly and indirectly touched by the movement that Organized Noize started in the basement they often refer to as "The Dungeon."
Dope
DOPE
This coming-of-age drama revolves around three teenagers in Los Angeles who soon bond over their love for 90’s hip hop and style before soon forming their own punk band. A chance encounter at a party with a local drug dealer (Played by A$AP Rocky) soon leads them down a rabbit hole of adventures in this coming of age tale
Malibu's Most Wanted
Malibu's Most Wanted
This cult classic stars Jamie Kennedy as Brad AKA B-Rad as the son of an esteemed senator in the midst of a tightly contested political race. B-rad is soon kidnapped by a pair of actors as part of his father’s latest attempt to reform his son. As they hopelessly try to change B-rad’s ways they soon realize that despite his appearance that he actually has a profound appreciation for the culture that he’s emulating.
Biggie & Tupac
Biggie & Tupac
One of the definitive rap documentaries of our generation despite the fact that the painfully British narrator seems better suited for a film about endangered birds than hip hop’s most infamous rap beef. That being said, this film weaves a deeply troubling narrative of how friends were torn apart and killed by outside sources. The film implicates everyone from Suge Knight to the LAPD whom Suge frequently employed. While the film is filled with interviews from those closest to the late emcees, including Big’s mother, The most memorable and unsettling moment is a tense jail-yard interview with the man at the heart of these still unsolved murders, Suge Knight.
Belly
Belly
Starring two of rap’s biggest names during the height of their careers, DMX & Nas play childhood friends Sincere and Buns. As adults, their empire has been built upon mostly criminal activity and Sincere soon grows weary of the decisions that have led him to this criminal lifestyle. He soon joins a black Muslim religious organization while Buns conversely sinks deeper into criminality before he’s caught and faced with a decision. The cops offer him immunity from an otherwise lengthy sentence if he’ll assassinate the head of the aforementioned Muslim group.
Friday After Next
Friday After Next
The sequel to one of the 90’s most iconic comedies, Friday After Next finds Craig (Ice Cube) and Day-Day (Mike Epps) in the same neighborhood where their journey started. It’s the holiday season and unfortunately for our main characters a rogue santa claus breaks into their apartment and steals anything he can manage to carry, including their rent money. Faced with the possibility of eviction Cube and Epps soon take jobs as security guards at a local mall that turns out to be more than they bargained for
Luke Cage
Luke Cage
One of Netflix’s most impressive pieces of original content, Luke Cage finds our protagonist trying to return to a quiet, normal life following his release from jail. Cage has obtained super-human powers such as strength and unbreakable skin as part of an experiment gone bad. While he doesn’t feel entirely worthy of the powers bestowed on him, he soon is left with no choice as the criminal underworld forces his hand. Each episode is also titled after a track from Gang Starr’s iconic catalogue.
Iverson
Iverson
The tale of one the NBA’s most exciting and polarizing figures, Allen Iverson. While his on and off the court bravado endeared him to many it also ruffled the collective feathers of many of those at the very top of the NBA’s hierarchy. His emphatic embracement of hip hop culture would influence an entire generation of adoring fans. Told largely in Iverson’s own words, the film charts the many highs and lows of one of the most distinctive figures in the history of the NBA.
Fresh Dressed
Fresh Dressed
Chronicling the history of hip hop and urban fashion from its roots in the southern cotton plantations to its meteoric rise in contemporary fashion, this film provides in-depth interviews with esteemed influencers such as Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and Damon Dash. The result is a passionate tale about the freedom of expression through individual fashion by a culture that refused to fade to obscurity and through sheer originality took over the mainstream market.
Stretch & Bobito
Stretch & Bobito
A personal look at one of the most iconic shows in hip hop history, Stretch & Bobito were the duo that disrupted mainstream radio in New York in the 90s. They were the go-to spot for unsigned artists to showcase their freestyling abilities. Some of the alumns include Biggie, Jay-Z and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Some of the most legendary freestyles ever recorded were a part of the show. With interviews from industry icons like Eminem, Fat Joe and even Hov himself, this is one of the more fascinating documentaries as it displays the genuine personal connection that the former hosts shared with these artists
Reincarnated
Reincarnated
Snoop’s foray into the reggae world, Reincarnated finds him rebranding himself as Snoop Lion and attempting to trace the roots of reggae in Jamaica while gaining insight from some of the genre’s most respected artists. While admittedly this documentary comes off a bit forced at times it does give light to a genre and part of the world not typically revered in the mainstream media. If nothing else, Snoop can smoke like the Rastafarians he hangs out with.
The Get Down
The Get Down
Baz Luhrman’s series The Get Down represents what is to date Netflix’s most expensive production. The series follows a group of teenagers as they run wild in the Bronx during the late 1970’s. While its cancelation is undoubtedly due at least partially to the high cost and relatively low reward in terms of viewership, The Get Down remains one of the more impressive productions from Netflix.
BMF
BMF
Exploring the story of the 15-year investigation that eventually led to 41 defendants across the country being charged in connection to one of the largest drug conspiracy cases in history this film may be meeting its contemporary match soon as word has surfaced that 50 Cent is in talks to produce a new BMF television series.
Sample This
Sample This
This documentary reveals how a forgotten record by the Incredible Bongo Band helped cement the foundation of hip hop when DJ Herc began extended the percussion by playing them back to back. Son an anthem was created that would reverberate around the Bronx, and soon the world as hip-hop was born.
Hip-Hop Evolution
Hip-Hop Evolution
This four-part series is anchored by its in-depth interviews with influential MCs, DJs and moguls who trace the genre’s dynamic evolution from the 1970’s through the 1990’s. While it gets off to an admittedly uncomfortable start when Afrika Bambaataa is interviewed and talking about how much he’s done for the community. In light of recent allegations made against him, the interview is certainly cringe-worthy, but the rest of this series remains an enlightening look into the roots of the genre.