One of the best documentaries I have ever seen. The West Coast gets some overdue attention, DON’T sleep on this movie. In 1989, a collective of young artists gathered at a storefront health food cafe in South Central LA. Their mandate? To explore and expand the musical boundaries of hip hop. Directed by Ava DuVernay, THIS IS THE LIFE is a feature-length documentary chronicling “The Good Life” emcees, the alternative music movement they developed, and their worldwide influence on the artform. Featuring new interviews with: Myka Nyne and PEACE of Freestyle Fellowship, Chali2na and Cut Chemist of Jurassic 5, NgaFsh, Riddlore, Tray-Loc & Wreckless of CVE, Abstract Rude and Zulu Butterfly of ATU, Ellay Khule of Hip Hop Klan, Medusa of S.I.N, Born Allah, Ganjah K, Fatjack, JMD, Omid, Pigeon John, 2Mex of OMD, Jyant & Eve of Figures of Speech, Big Al, T-Love of Urban Props, Sheena Lester & B+ of Rappages, Mear One, Mike Nardone of KXLU’s We Came From Beyond, Garth Trinidad of KCRW’s Chocolate City, Monalisa Murray, Jah Orah, Hines, Busdriver, Monique Matthews, Keen and B. Hall & R. Kain Blaze, co-founders of The Good Life. “Upon watching this film, a time-honored hip hop statement rings loudly - ‘If you don’t know, now you know.’ This is a story that has been missing from our cultural consciousness. The LA Underground scene has been “slept on” and passed over when it comes to its important contribution to the hip hop art form. Their styles and language, as well as the gymnastic vocal twists, symbolize the highest standards of rhyme. This film keeps their highly relevant music fresh and in its purest form, letting the stories be told from the mouths and minds that lived it. THIS IS THE LIFE is exceptional, a documentary not to be forgotten.” - Chuck D, Public Enemy

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