''Rappin is a 1985 American film directed by Joel Silberg, written by Adam Friedman and Robert J. Litz, produced by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus and starring

Mario Van Peebles Mario Van Peebles (born January 15, 1957) is a Mexican-born American director and actor. He is best known for appearing in ''Heartbreak Ridge'' in 1986, and known for directing and starring in ''New Jack City'' in 1991, and ''USS Indianapolis: ...

. The film is a sequel to '' Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo'', and is also known as ''Breakdance 3''. Although it features Ice-T (who featured in ''

Breakin' ''Breakin (also known as ''Breakdance'' in the United Kingdom and ''Break Street '84'' in other regions) is a 1984 American breakdancing-themed musical film, musical film directed by Joel Silberg and written by Charles Parker and Allen DeBev ...

'' and ''Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo''), ''Rappin''' has a plot unconnected to the previous two films and features different lead characters and locations. It is also considered to be a companion piece to the documentary Breakin' 'n' Enterin'.

Plot

Rappin' John Hood (Van Peebles), an ex-convict, attempts to save his neighborhood from developers and hoodlums. Around the same time, one of the hoodlums' girlfriend, Dixie, persuades him to audition for a rap recording contract. Their interactions develop into a relationship.

Cast

as John Hood * Rutanya Alda as Cecilia * Eyde Byrde as Grandma * Rony Clanton as Cedric * Charles Grant as Duane * Melvin Plowden as "Fats" * Jessie Daniels, Antoine Lundy, Stevie D. Lundy, Charles Nelson, Trisco Pearson as The Force M.D.s * Richie Abanes as Richie * Harry Goz as Thorndike * Kadeem Hardison as "Moon" * Eriq La Salle as "Ice" * Leo O'Brien as Allan * Thomas Ross as Thomas * Joe Schad as Burton * Tasia Valenza as Dixie * Claudja Barry as herself * Eugene Wilde as himself * Richy Givens as Gangster

Production

Mario Van Peebles' raps were overdubbed by Master Gee of the Sugarhill Gang, who also wrote one part, and whose brother Leo plays the role of Allan. The film was filmed in and around

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...

. Ice-T's small role is uncredited and he reportedly provided the rhymes, including the hero's climactic lines, "Can't stop / Won't stop / Climbing that mountain 'till we reach the top!" Two verses of his 1985 single, ''Killers'', feature mid-way through the film. Brothers Evil E and Hen-Gee, both of whom would go on to work with Ice-T, feature in the film.

Featured songs

* Born to Love - Claudja Barry * Rappin' – Lovebug Starski * Snack Attack – Melvin Plowden, Mario Van Peebles, Eriq La Salle, Kadeem Hardison, Richie Abanes * The Fight Rap – Lovebug Starski * Neighborhood Walk – Mario Van Peebles * Itchin' for a Scratch – The Force M.D.'s * Flame in the Fire – Warren Mills * Call Me – D. Terrell * If You Want To (FU12) – Lajuan Carter * Golly Gee – Tuff, Inc. * First Love Never Dies – Eugene Wilde, Joanna Gardner

Reception

The film earned $2.9 million at the US box office.Andrew Yule, ''Hollywood a Go-Go: The True Story of the Cannon Film Empire'', Sphere Books, 1987 p111

References

External links

*
New York Times review

The AV Club review
* {{Rotten Tomatoes, rappin 1985 films 1980s hip-hop films 1980s hood films American crime thriller films American sequel films 1985 thriller films Golan-Globus films Films shot in Pittsburgh Films set in Pennsylvania Films set in Pittsburgh Fictional portrayals of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Films produced by Menahem Golan Films produced by Yoram Globus 1980s English-language films Films directed by Joel Silberg 1980s American films English-language crime films English-language musical films English-language thriller films 1985 musical films