Classic
Long-lost 1986 Hip-Hop Doc “Big Fun in the Big Town” now available commercially for the first time in more than 25 years!
May 10th
A RAP REVELATION: “BIG FUN IN THE BIG TOWN” (5 DAY WEEKEND / TRAFFIC) DVD TO BE RELEASED WORLDWIDE, MAY 22, 2012
GROUNDBREAKING 1986 HIP-HOP DOCUMENTARY COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, AFTER MORE THAN 25 YEARS
VIDEO TRAILER:
“Today, more than 25 years after it was all captured, it’s easy to see ‘Big Fun in the Big Town’ as a natural sequel to Charlie Ahearn’s ‘Wild Style.’”
– Bill Adler, co-author of Def Jam Recordings: the First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label
“The essential mid-‘80s hip-hop documentary… it magnificently captures a special time in rap’s history.”
– Chairman Mao, Ego Trip / XXL
“The best hip-hop movie you’ve never seen… the barrage of highlights doesn’t let up.”
– Wax Poetics, Monk One
“It’s a who’s-who of that era as you’ve never seen them before – LL Cool J, Schoolly D, Run-DMC, Biz Markie, Russell Simmons. The first time I saw it was a non-stop WTF experience.”
– Peanut Butter Wolf
“BIG FUN” DIRECTOR BRAM VAN SPLUNTEREN IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS (PHONE / SKYPE / EMAIL)
DVD highlights include:
- Russell Simmons interviewed inside Def Jam Records’ offices at 298 Elizabeth Street
- Run-DMC in the studio and on the street: recording, freestyling, and adjusting to their new-found fame
- LL Cool J interviewed at his grandmother’s house in Queens, discussing love raps and authenticity
- Grandmaster Flash reprising his famed kitchen DJ set from Wild Style, this time in his living room
- Biz Markie, Roxanne Shante and MC Shan live on-stage in the Bronx
- Doug E Fresh beatboxing and philosophizing on the street in Harlem
- The late DJ Mr. Magic on WBLS (with his DJ, a young Marley Marl)
- Gangsta Rap originator Schoolly D live and backstage at the famed Latin Quarter club
- Suliaman El Hadi of hip-hop progenitors the Last Poets, spouting off about younger hip-hop artists
- Students rhyming, beatboxing and dancing at the Harry S. Truman High School in the Bronx
- In-depth liner notes by Martin Caballero, featuring an interview with filmmaker Bram Van Splunteren
New York, 1986: a city of big dreams and equally big problems. Like New York itself, hip-hop music encompassed both of these human conditions. But hip-hop and its cultural birthplace shared other important characteristics, too: the desire to always be original, a hustle-to-survive ambition, and – if the stars aligned – the ability to come out on top, no matter what the odds.
Dutch filmmaker, journalist and rap fanatic Bram Van Splunteren stepped into the city for one intense week in 1986. He was armed with five things: a camera crew, a map, a deep respect for the hip-hop artform, a list of phone numbers, and a burning desire to get to the bottom of what this still-growing subculture was all about. By the time he left, he had the answers he needed, along with a treasure trove of golden video footage. Tragically, these images never returned from Europe, languishing in obscurity from hip-hop’s homeland for more than a quarter-century. Until now.
Big Fun in the Big Town is about hip-hop when artistry in the game was still at its center. When skills, not hype, got you your first record deal. When Run-DMC took the reins from Doug E Fresh and Grandmaster Flash, paving the way for hundreds of other hitmakers to follow. When a chart-topping LL Cool J still lived with his Grandmother. When the Latin Quarter was the club to be at on any weekend night. And when artists from all backgrounds could taste their own pop-chart dreams, just beyond their reach but still seemingly attainable.
This essential, fast-paced documentary shows hip-hop from just about every angle, and approaches its subjects with a journalistic sobriety and respect rarely given to this oft-misunderstood artform and culture, even to this day. It presents worldwide superstars and aspiring rappers, dancers and beatboxers on an even playing field, reminding us that rap was once a wide-open game for anyone with talent to grab at the brass ring of fame.
Commercially available for the first time ever after more than 25 years, Big Fun in the Big Town is nothing short of a revelation. Suggested retail price: $19.98.
Dutch director Bram Van Splunteren has been a noted music, arts and human-interest documentarian for more than two decades, known for feature films on The Red Hot Chili Peppers (“A Dutch Connection”) and Loudon Wainwright (“One Man Guy”), among many others. For more information, visit: www.bramvansplunteren.nl.
PREORDER THE DVD ON AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Big-Fun-In-The-Town/dp/B007NZVZQI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333583162&sr=8-1
5 Day Weekend website for more information on “Big Fun in the Big Town” and more: www.fivedaywknd.com.
The Best Of A Tribe Called Quest V.1 | Free download.
Oct 27th
http://mixcrate.com/mix/87621/The-Best-Of-A-Tribe-Called-Quest-V1
In commemoration of the DVD release of ‘Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest‘, this is the first time V.1 of my ‘Best Of A Tribe Called Quest‘ series, released in 2005, is available officially, for free, from myself and Mixcrate.com…
http://sonyclassics.com/beatsrhymesandlife
http://amazon.com/Beats-Rhymes-Life-Travels-Called/dp/B004Z29WWG
Thank you all for the immense amount of support of this mix and stay tuned for Volume 2, coming out next year. If you are interested in supporting this mix financially, you can do so here…
http://eastbaydigital.com/dj-platurn
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to http://danceoutdiabetes.org
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Here is some further info:
Press kit: http://djplaturn.com/music/TheBestOfATribeCalledQuest_PressKit.pdf
Preview: http://swift.fm/#!/SwiftFM/swift/128310
Accolades:
“DJ Platurn’s ‘Tribe’ mix was a huge inspiration for me in the editorial process of making the film ‘Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest’. This mix has an elegance and flow that all ‘Tribe’ & music fans will absolutely appreciate and enjoy.”
– Michael Rapaport | http://michaelrapaport.tumblr.com
“Platurn’s ‘Tribe’ mix is deep. He’s a master of knowing exactly how to mix the original tunes with the samples used in a way that feels natural. If you consider yourself ATCQ fan, then this is something you definitely want to check out. And if you wanna go deeper down the Native Tongues path, peep his De La mix, it’s dope.”
– Z Trip | http://djztrip.com
“I didn’t think it was possible for Platurn to top his ‘De La Heaven’ mix, but he did it and then some on this. A must for Tribe fans everywhere.”
– DJ Day | http://likeathrottle.blogspot.com
“I just finished listening to DJ Platurn’s ‘The Best of ATCQ’ and I must say, I felt like a passenger on an hour long musical journey. With Platurn at the driver’s seat, this sonic excursion took me back to a time when BEATS and RHYMES defined my LIFE. Thank you Platurn for reminding me that what once was could be again. You successfully captured the spirit of ATCQ and I’m sure this mix will inspire listeners, like it did me. Thank you!”
– Rob Swift | http://djrobswift.com
“Done with style, flair and class, Platurn really did one of the greatest rap groups of all time justice with this tribute mix. Growing up on Tribe, this mix will make you realize just how timeless their music is.”
– Cosmo Baker | http://cosmobaker.com
“DJ Platurn’s ‘Best of A Tribe Called Quest’ mix takes me on a journey through one of the most influential Hip Hop groups in history who without a doubt Influenced and shaped my own musical path. I remember listening to ‘We’ve Got The Jazz’ for a week straight on my bus ride to school. Skillfully executed turntable skills and with original samples sprinkled throughout the mix that gives insight into Q-Tip’s creative process, you’d be foolish to leave this world not listening to this at least once.”
– DJ Vinroc | http://thatsthatstuff.com
“Inspiring, informative and respectfully ‘precise, bass heavy and just right’, DJ Platurn’s ‘The Best of Tribe Volume 1’ is the perfect mix tape. Simply not just for fans of A Tribe Called Quest or Hip-Hop, this sampling of songs and their origins is for anyone who can appreciate good music and who’s open to a brief history lesson as well. As film editor of the documentary on ATCQ ‘Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest’, I would listen to Platurn’s mix as a guideline for ways we could both visually and melodically recreate the beats and samples that became essential to Tribe’s music, and i’m proud to say we were able to accomplish that daunting feat with the help of this mix. I don’t know what dopeness Platurn has been working on for Volume 2, but I do know that when it drops i’ll def be digging it!”
– Lenny Mesina | http://chumpchampion.com
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This mix was crafted on a 6 track with all original vinyl sources, just in case you nerds care.
RIP KASE 2 (TFP) | King Of Style
Aug 16th
I remember watching Style Wars many years ago and being thoroughly convinced that it was the greatest movie of all time. Kase 2 was one of the slickest and coolest dudes in that doc and that moment when you realized homie only had one arm made you appreciate how insanely talented he was that much more.
It’s hard to not talk about Kase 2 without remembering that infamous line that everyone and their momma has used throughout the years on mixtapes, albums, t-shirts, etc…
His influence was and is felt the world over with his invention of what is known as the “camouflage style” (something that is dearly missed in all elements of Hip-Hop). Taking notes from legends like Kase 2 was always something I did with my DJing — hiding those subtleties in your creation where only the true connoisseurs could catch it.
RIP Kase 2 — the true and original ‘King Of Style’
Ringz Of Platurn | 1998
Jan 8th
This is a Urb Mag review for my 2nd ‘ever’ mixtape I put out (yes, tape) — 1998 I think, back when they used to post your phone number in the blurb. I have yet to find a copy of it but when I do it’s going up. Yes, i’m old.
