Scratch vs. Freestyle (2002)

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SCRATCH: Director Doug Pray (HYPE!) pays tribute to the innovative art of deejaying in the electrifying documentary SCRATCH. Featuring the most legendary figures in the deejay scene, Pray's film is at once a deeply insightful historical document and a highly entertaining glimpse into the world of… More SCRATCH: Director Doug Pray (HYPE!) pays tribute to the innovative art of deejaying in the electrifying documentary SCRATCH. Featuring the most legendary figures in the deejay scene, Pray's film is at once a deeply insightful historical document and a highly entertaining glimpse into the world of underground hip-hop. Modern luminaries such as DJ Shadow, MixMasterMike (of the Beastie Boys), DJ Qbert, Rob Swift, and DJ Swamp are interviewed alongside living legends like Afrika Bambaataa, Jazzy Jay, and Grand Mixer DXT, in order to paint a broad, comprehensive picture of how deejaying has evolved over the years. The title, SCRATCH, refers to a technique that was initially used to keep one particular section of a song running endlessly as other songs are played simultaneously. Deejaying (and scratching) has now become a worldwide phenomenon and lucrative profession which can be attributed to DJ Qbert, whose masterful stylings enabled deejays to step out from behind the shadow of rappers and into a spotlight of their very own. Seamlessly cutting between interviews and actual footage filmed at several high-profile deejaying contests including Skratchcon 2000 and the DMC U.S. Finals, Pray's film is a must-see for both seasoned fans and the uninitiated, a celebration of one of the late-20th Century's most thrilling, original musical movements.FREESTYLE: THE ART OF RHYME: Although carefully constructed rap songs have become a staple of the mainstream music scene, most freestyle rhyming remains undocumented, with a variety of talented rappers seeing their words floating off into thin air after they pass through their lips at the speed of a high-powered locomotive. FREESTYLE: THE ART OF RHYME aims to remedy this state of affairs by highlighting some of the best freestylers out there. Viewers who have seen 8 MILE will be familiar with the freestyle battles that go down, and these are featured here, alongside rhyming and commentary from a number of rap luminaries; Mos Def, The Roots, Jurassic 5, and The Last Poets all feature. As well as the spectacular rhyming skills, the film also offers some prescient comment on how many kids have been saved from a life of crime by discovering their freestlying talents. An informative, educational, and entertaining documentary, this is a great opportunity to witness some breathtaking performances by a group of unheralded artists.