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Director Matt Ruskin's enthusiasm for the project is readily apparent, but his film is unfocused, meandering, and frustrating to watch. Read critic reviews

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The Hip Hop Project Photos

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Movie Info

Chris "Kharma Kazi" Rolle, a homeless Brooklynite originally from the Bahamas, gets a fresh start under the guidance of Art Start, an educational support group. Rolle goes on to found "The Hip Hop Project," a music program for New York's at-risk youth, and encourages them to write and rap about the real issues affecting their lives.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Some Thematic Material|Strong Language)
  • Genre:
    documentary
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Matt Ruskin, Scott K. Rosenberg
  • Producer:
    Matt Ruskin, Scott K. Rosenberg
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $32.5K
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Pressure Point Films

Cast & Crew

Matt Ruskin
Director
Scott K. Rosenberg
Director
Matt Ruskin
Producer
Scott K. Rosenberg
Producer
Bruce Willis
Executive Producer
Ari Issler
Cinematographer
Matt Ruskin
Cinematographer
Matt Ruskin
Film Editor
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News & Interviews for The Hip Hop Project

Critical Consensus: "28 Weeks" Is Bloody Good, "Georgia" Doesn’t Rule, "Ex" is Axed, Guess "Delta" Tomatometer!
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Critic Reviews for The Hip Hop Project

All Critics (39) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (16)

  • It makes the viewer uncomfortable, too -- but it's unquestionably honest, like so much of Hip-Hop.

    July 22, 2008

    John Anderson

    Variety

  • More, I can't shed my enthusiasm for what Kazi accomplished, the philanthropic legacy he has crafted to give voices to the voiceles a simply stunning achievement.

    May 12, 2007 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Sara Michelle Fetters

    MovieFreak.com

  • A big, wet, sloppy valentine to hip-hop's power to give voice to the voiceless.

    May 12, 2007 | Rating: b | Full Review…

    Nathan Rabin

    AV Club

  • First-time director Matt Ruskin is a skilled documentarian; he releases information gradually so the narrative develops in an organic fashion that is consistently engaging.

    May 11, 2007 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Ted Fry

    Seattle Times

  • The film meanders, sidetracks, and frustrates -- few of the rap songs, some of them boasting wildly inspired couplets, are shown and heard in their entirety.

    May 11, 2007 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Steven Rea

    Philadelphia Inquirer

  • Dramatically, the movie lacks motion -- the kids don't seem a lot better off at the end -- and the point of the program escapes me. These kids badly need an education.

    May 11, 2007 | Rating: 2/4

    Kyle Smith

    New York Post
View All Critic Reviews (39)

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