KEVIN FITZGERALD: THE ART OF RHYME
July 27th, 2004 by susanna
Kevin Fitzgerald is Californian Director and Producer of award winning film Freestyle Art of Rhyme which will be screened in the Cinema Tent on Sunday afternoon at Eastnor 2004.
The film explosively documents the world of improvisational Rap and provides an authentic look into the life, music and culture of hip-hop in America today. Featuring Mos Def, Freestyle Fellowship, The Roots, Medusa, 2 Mex, Jurassic-5, Lord Finesse, Juice, Craig G, and Supernatural MC. This critically acclaimed documentary is packed with rare and archival footage of some of the most amazing hip-hop MC’s ever to bless the MIC! These verbal artisans who improvise poetry out of a mix of language, politics and culture that make up their lives introduces viewers to revolutionary worlds where the English language is subverted and re-appropriated as a tool of economic and social empowerment.
We caught up with Kevin to find out more about him and his film.
What is hip hop?
‘What is a culture? What is a movement? What is a community? Hip-Hop is to braod a term to define.’
Why is hop hop important to you?
‘I grew up with it. It was the way I interfaced with my community. I love it and hate it all at the same time. It’s like a good lover, when you love them you love them so much, but when you don’t it’s no good.’
What motivated you to make this film, did your understanding of the hip hop scene change in the process?
‘I grew up confronted by racsim and hip-hop was seemed like it was going to be the way to counter that I have discovered that it’s not the whole cure.’
There appear to be some negative sides to contemporary hip hop culture, gangster rap, gun toting, an unrealistic and unhealthy obsession with material wealth, where do you think this comes from and what is your attitude towards it?
‘Hip-Hop is complete culture and as such it will have all the good and bad like all cultures have. What about Punk, or Death Metal, or just War in general. It’s like life there’s good and bad.’
Could you tell us about your work at the Centre for Hip Hop Education?
‘Our mission: research, and teach the history of hip-hop.’
Who amongst the up and coming hip hop artists do you have time for?
‘Saigon, Mos Def, Darkleaf, but for the most part I’m pretty burnt out on listing to hip-hop. I like classical music, and jazz most now.’
Do you think Eminem provides a positive image for hip hop?
‘NO!’
Did you enjoy 8 mile?
‘Yeah, I actually liked that a lot.’
Although Eminem was praised last year by Seamus Heaney for sending ‘a voltage around a generation’, The Last Poets have recently been quoted as saying Eminem is not a true hip hop artist. Is Eminem a true hip hop artist and can and should hip hop be inclusive of white culture?
‘Just because he is white and obnoxious that does not make him a bad artist or not down with hip-hop. I would say he is more of a Rapper. He is actually technically a very talented MC. As far has his vibe, lyics, and content that’s another story. But that white boy sure can rap. I know people hate on him because he’s white, it’s kinda like the Elvis thing. He’s doper than a lot of black MCs I know. But I still would never buy one of his CDs.’
In your opinion is MTV a good or a bad thing for hip hop globally?
‘Good and bad. They broke hip-hop all over the world. But they have a lot of power over people by the choices they make and I don’t think they make alot of decisions based on quality. It’s a $$$ thing with them. They think they have good taste and they dictate that to the rest of the world, that part sucks.’
What would you like to see happening on a grass roots level within hip hop scene?
‘People getting their business straight! And stoping hating on each other!’
Who is you favourite hip hop artist of all time?
‘Oh that’s a tough one. I have to give you a few: Mos Def, Rakim, BIG, and the Uknown MC.’
What is your next project?
‘Tokyo DJ.’
What are you expecting of the Big Chill Festival?
‘Have fun, listen to some good music, meet some pretty girls and chill.’
How do you chill?
‘With not a lot of effort…!’
Kevin will introduce the film and take questions following the screening. The screening is part of a series of Hip Hop related events that will take place later on Sunday in the Media Mix tent.
