In a matter of days, Netflix will launch The Get Down, the Baz Luhrmann vehicle about the rise of hip-hop in 1970s New York. The musical drama is making noise for being the most expensive Netflix original to date, and for its rocky relationship with writers, showrunners, and producers. Despite the on-set drama, and judging solely on the slew of new images and trailers, the show looks to be, if nothing else, very entertaining.
While the hip-hop scene has been portrayed in Hollywood numerous times before, the shows and movies often feel stale or exploitative. Despite these many misses, there have been a select few hits. While Fox's show Empire has delivered a fine, if not glamourized, take on the genre, the best adaptations remain within film. To help you prepare for the release of The Get Down, here are some of the best hip-hop inspired movies.
