The common thread in Doug Pray’s three documentaries—Hype!, about the hype behind the Northwest’s grunge scene; hip-hop DJ/turntablists Scratch (just reissued as a DVD box-set along with the Kevin Fitzgerald directed Freestyle); and Infamy, about six contemporary graffiti artists and one anti-graffiti activist—is that they’re all misunderstood subcultures. “All three groups have been misperceived … Their characters are underdogs. And underdogs, to me, make good movies!” he explains. “Each movement had been packaged and kind of sold to the masses as something that it wasn’t.”
Before shooting Infamy, Pray thought the movie would turn out to an upbeat, fun celebration of graffiti art. Instead the emotionally charged film, that takes time to get to know its seven subjects, turned out to be an engrossing, albeit dark, portrayal of street artists who commit felonies and constantly risk jail time and physical harm in the practice of their obsession. “Every single graffiti artist is a manic depressive, insecure person—because that’s the only thing that makes you want to go out and write,” offers prolific artist Saber in one of the doc’s many captivating scenes.
Pray’s previous film, the critically acclaimed Scratch, also delves deep into the lives of its subjects—who include Rob Swift, QBert, Cut Chemist and scratch creator GrandWizzard Theodore—and captures the passion that drives these talented artists (full disclosure: I also make an appearance in this film). The DVD version of Scratch boasts an additional disc and four bonus hours including the turntable instructional “How To Rock A Party” with Z-Trip.
Meanwhile Fitzgerald (aka DJ Organic) directed Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme, is a 75-minute documentary about the improvisational art of spoken word that traces the style from its pre-rap roots to its role in hip-hop from the early ’80s. A long list of performers and talking heads are included—like freestyle legend MC Supernatural, Freestyle Fellowship, Medusa, Boots Riley, The Last Poets, Mos Def, Black Thought & ?uestlove from The Roots and Bobbito Garcia—as well as the late hip-hop greats Biggie and 2Pac. Together all three movies nicely capture three of hip-hop’s four elements. Now we just need the definitive dance doc, and the collection will feel complete.
