Wild Style (1982 Film)

From the film that crystallized a subculture comes the soundtrack, finally reissued on Rhino, that first gave people a window into the exciting and innovative world of hip-hop. The names--like Grand Wizard Theodore & Kevie Kev Rockwell, Double Trouble, and The Cold Crush Brothers--may not have lasted, but their continuing influence on contemporary rap music is easily apparent. Digging through the minimalistic, hard-hitting tracks that fill this compilation, it is easy to discover where everyone from A Tribe Called Quest to LL Cool J and DJ Shadow found the original impetus to create their music. Wild Style is not so much about individual artists or songs as it is overall effect; highlighting the manic turntable scratching, the precise synthesizer beats and the spirited verbal gymnastics crucial to classic hip-hop. This soundtrack serves as a vital history lesson for anyone interested in the origins of the last major cultural revolution, or those who simply appreciate raw energy gelling into a new art form. A pair of bonus tracks and a long-lost Fab 5 Freddy cut make this nothing less than a crucial purchase. --Aidin Vaziri