Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap

Name: Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Genre: Music, Documentary
Released: June 15, 2012
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Chuck D., Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg

2012

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Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Ratings

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Ratings

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Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap

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Movie Details & Credits

Indomina Releasing | Release Date: June 15, 2012 | R

Starring: Chuck D., Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg

Summary: Ice-T takes us on an intimate journey into the heart and soul of hip-hop with the legends of rap music. This performance documentary goes beyond the stardom and the bling, to explore what goes on inside the minds, and erupts from the lips, of the grandmasters of rap. Recognized as the godfather of Gangsta rap, Ice-T is granted unparalleledIce-T takes us on an intimate journey into the heart and soul of hip-hop with the legends of rap music. This performance documentary goes beyond the stardom and the bling, to explore what goes on inside the minds, and erupts from the lips, of the grandmasters of rap. Recognized as the godfather of Gangsta rap, Ice-T is granted unparalleled access to the personal lives of the masters of this artform that he credits for saving his life. Interspersed with the performer’s insightful, touching, and often funny revelations are classic raps, freestyle rhymes, and never before heard a cappellas straight from the mouths of the creators. What emerges is a better understanding of, and a tribute to, an original American art form that brought poetry to a new generation. (Indomina Releasing)… Expand

Director: Andy Baybutt and Ice-T

Genre(s): Music, Documentary

Rating: R

Runtime: 106 min

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Critic Reviews

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Jul 19, 2012

With a very simple premise, rapper Ice-T – this film's presenter and co-director with Andy Baybutt – has created a very enjoyable and often fascinating movie. Read full review

Empire David Hughes

Jul 16, 2012

An extremely interesting insight, proving that rap music is an art form in its own right. Read full review

Kevin C. Johnson

Jun 15, 2012

Ice-T delivers a love letter to hip-hop with Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap. Read full review

Justin Lowe

Jun 13, 2012

An insightful film about the creative talents that have made hip-hop an original, enduring American musical tradition. Read full review

Sara Stewart

Jun 15, 2012

T's formulaic interview style gives the proceedings a bit of a student-project vibe - perhaps understandable for a guy who clearly thinks artists should always be open to learning more. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Jun 14, 2012

The interviews are often revealing and funny. And much of the music is tremendous. Read full review

Joshua Rothkopf

Jun 13, 2012

The general takeaway, occasionally swaddled in pot clouds and boisterous laughter, is that verse-slinging requires serious thought and planning. Read full review

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User Reviews

iCronic

Jul 12, 2014

Simple, good documentary, with some of the old heads saying some things about the whole art form

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Oizram

Dec 24, 2013

Although I found the whole documentary quite interesting, it kinda felt fragmentary to me.
Sort of a puzzle (to use Eminem's words) lacking of some useful-to-join-the-ensemble piece, but this could easily be reconnected to the wild, smoky, gutty nature of hip-hop itself. Not really aAlthough I found the whole documentary quite interesting, it kinda felt fragmentary to me.
Sort of a puzzle (to use Eminem's words) lacking of some useful-to-join-the-ensemble piece, but this could easily be reconnected to the wild, smoky, gutty nature of hip-hop itself. Not really a documentary stricto sensu, rather an enjoyable peeping of rap legends sharing some good time together and explaining their subjective point of view over the evolution of the movement and their rhymes-crafting techniques. In the end, I didn't find the curse offensive, instead, I would have felt insulted by the use of a false polished and politically correct language, only made up for the camera.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TheHygienist

Dec 29, 2012

I was struck by the opening interview when one of the rappers said that rap evolved because "they took our instruments away", meaning that schools somehow conspired to take instruments away from students, so they could no longer perform jazz and blues. At that starting point ofI was struck by the opening interview when one of the rappers said that rap evolved because "they took our instruments away", meaning that schools somehow conspired to take instruments away from students, so they could no longer perform jazz and blues. At that starting point of victimization, it was downhill all the way, including the vast over-use of every curse in the book including the so-called "n" word, which is apparently not offensive at all to anyone in this film. If you really want to see the origin of the decline of western civilization, study this "Something from Nothing" farce.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

donmontalvo

Jun 17, 2012

I really wanted to like this movie. I probably would have a different opinion had it not been for the 1000+ times the "n" word was used. C'mon rappers, find a way to express your art.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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