Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- energetic
- earnest
- uplifting
- 1980s movie night
- hip hop movie marathon
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John is an ex-con and break-dancer whose effort to win a rap contest drives the film's musical and social world.
John's return after prison is linked to helping save his neighborhood from a greedy developer.
The film is identified as a hood film and crime film while centering rap and break-dancing.
The central community conflict pits local residents against a greedy developer seeking control of the neighborhood.
Films like Rappin', and why
Beat Street
shared hip hop performance focus, urban community stakes, and music-driven drama
Breakin'
shared break-dancing culture, neighborhood conflict, and 1980s musical-film energy
Krush Groove
shared hood-film setting, community solidarity, and crime-drama elements
Movie Details
- Director
- Joel Silberg
- Release Date
- 1985-05-10
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (15)
Cast
- Mario Van Peebles
- Eriq La Salle
- Melvin Plowden
- Richie Abanes
- Kadeem Hardison
- Ice-T
- Leo O'Brien
- Charles Grant
- Rony Clanton
- Ruth Jaroslow
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Rappin' about?
- An ex-con break-dancer fights to protect his neighborhood and reclaim his future through a high-stakes rap contest.
- What is Rappin' like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rappin' as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Rappin' violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Rappin' as mild.
- Which films are like Rappin'?
- Films with a similar feel include Beat Street, Breakin', and Krush Groove.
- How long is Rappin'?
- Rappin' runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch Rappin'?
- In United States, Rappin' streams on ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel .
