"If nothing else, Pass the Mic! has heart. Writer, director, and
editor Richard Montes spent four years making this documentary about Latin
hip-hop culture, and it shows. Running at over 52 minutes, the film features interviews from mainstream
Latin artists like Mellow Man Ace, ODM from Lighter Shade of Brown and Jacken of
Psycho Realm. But it also goes after underground artists like Brown Town
Looters, Conejo and Proper Dos. And the movie tries to explore Latin hip-hop’s
history and future, as well as follow a radio show hosted by Fidel Rodriquez
from Seditious Beats. The surplus of coverage becomes a little overwhelming at times. Luckily,
the film cuts back and forth between the interviews and live performances
throughout. Pass the mic! opens with famed old-school Los Angeles radio station KDAY
(with Funkdoobiest DJ Ralph M, legendary Julio G and producer Tony G). After
some concert material and random quotes, the film presents text on the media
labeling hip-hop as a black art form, with record labels signing blacks and
Latinos who were working underground. Quotes from artists provide little help. Mellow Man Ace (as well as the
other artists) are very vague about times and actual events. For more detailed
information, check out the mind-boggling extras section, which features great
interviews and quotes from Montes, as well as a hilarious Delinquent Habits
interview and a discussion of what hip-hop means to various artists. What Pass the mic! does provide is a lot of information in a short
amount of time about artist dealings with shady record labels, "going from
welfare to a huge-ass check" (courtesy of Psycho Realm’s Jacken) and trying to
sell records despite record labels and the media looking at hip-hop as a black
art form."
Written By Wes Woods II
"This documentary about Latino hip-hop shows some
interesting parallels to the Latino punk rock scene. Both forms of music are
politically charged, underrated and vastly overlooked. Through interviews with
people and acts like Mellow Man Ace, ODM, Delinquent Habits, Molotov, Capone,
and more, the filmmakers explore the beginnings of this movement, its struggles
and where it is today. Of special note is the section on how major labels have
dealt with these artists, and it should be watched by anyone who wants to pursue
music.
One thing many bands and artists don't know is that the major labels exploit
their acts for all they're worth. This means huge advances and little promotion
or reward. The Latino artists featured in "Pass the Mic" found this out the hard
way as they watched bidding wars turn into legal fiascos where the only people
who got paid were anyone who wasn't the artists. Tragic? Yes. Commonplace? Most
definitely.
Overall, the film is very positive with hip-hop revolutionaries that mirror
the culture that spawned them. They face adversity and plow on despite the odds
being against them. They continue to make their beats and try to educate the
world about a culture that has been used by the advertising world to sell fast
food but hasn't been given the respect it truly deserves. By the end of the film
you realize this is history of a music scene that deserves some attention, yet
seems to thrive in the shadows. And if you know your history, you know the
shadows is where all the important stuff happens." written by Doug Burnell.
They face adversity and plow on
despite the odds being against
them...
"Pass The
Mic!...Finally, the stories of Latin hip-hop artists are told!...
Times are changing; Terrorism, wars,
and hip-hop. Hip-Hop? Yes, Hip-Hop is undergoing major structural
changes. According to a recent study, Latinos are the biggest supporters and
consumers of hip-hop. Latinos are also quickly becoming the top emcees and
deejays. So, why are Latin rappers not heard on the radio, or seen on MTV?
For years, the music industry led us all to believe that Latinos don't
support Latin hip-hop, so why should they give the artists distribution, and
their glow in the limelight? We support Latino sitcoms, films, Spanish Rock,
Latin pop, but not hip-hop. Something is not right here! After
investigating the Latin Hip-Hop Scene, the conclusion is: The world better watch
out! Despite what has been preached to us by the Industry, there is tremendous
support for this movement from the underground, and it's quickly gathering
speeds, heading straight into all homes of every race throughout mainstream
America. To further prove that Latin Hip-Hop is a major force to be reckoned
with, there is a documentary done by Safada Y Sano Productions called Pass The
Mic! Pass The Mic! is a thought-provoking look into the history of
Latinos in hip-hop. The film outlines the Latino involvement in hip-hop. It’s at
hip-hop’s birth, showing the pain and struggles endured to break the barriers
and earn equal respect as their Black counter-parts. The battle for
respect is a common theme, and the methods Latin artists go about obtaining that
respect is inspirational. Hearing firsthand how music artists are forced to give
up a huge percentage of the profit to record labels in order to get a deal just
so they could move out the barrios and pay the bills, is sad. Yet it reflects
the power major labels flex over musicians. Each story the artists tell hooks
you into their exotic lives. Mixed in with fresh underground music beats Pass
The Mic! is definitely worth checking out. Just as inspiring as the
artists themselves were the filmmakers struggle to get this movie produced.
Through a director’s interview, crew bios, and production notes provided in the
DVD and official movie web site http://www.passthemic.net, you gain an
understanding of what it takes to make an independent Latino Film. To
see this film get distribution in stores is a blessing; the film’s tagline is
“Finally, Their Stories are Told…” but it should read “Finally, A Latino Film
not flooded with stereotypes…” The DVD version has an enormous selection
of Bonus Features, ranging from poems to music videos and extended interviews."
written by Frankie H. from the LatinoLA review on February 9th, 2003.
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