TODAY IN HIP-HOP HISTORY: HIP-HOP CULT CLASSIC ‘KRUSH GROOVE’ RELEASED IN THEATERS 33 YEARS AGO

On this date in 1985, Hip-Hop bigwig Russell Simmons along with film producer Michael Schultz unveiled the Hip-Hop glory days fairy tale about the early days of Def Jam in the Warner Brothers distributed Krush Groove.

This cinematic, quasi-musical was told in a very unique manner, with almost all of the artists playing themselves as the story is being told; The Fat Boys, Run-D.M.C., Kurtis Blow, Jeckyl and Hyde, the Beastie Boys and Sheila E. all starred as themselves, while being managed by Russell(ironically, played by Blair Underwood) and a young Rick Rubin before they became the icons that they are recognized as today. The flick even gives a quick peek into how Def Jam’s rookie and first solo artist L.L. Cool J was recruited in Def Jam’s NYU dorm “office”.

The movie’s soundtrack boasts more than a few hits, such as The Fat Boys’ “All You Can Eat”. LL’s “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”, the original “If I Ruled The World” by Kurtis Blow, which was famously remixed by Nas and Lauryn Hill a decade after the movie’s release and the title track by The Krush Groove All Stars.

Shout out to all of the legends who were quarterbacked by Hip-Hop’s Barack Russell Simmons in making this Def Jam biopic forever a Hip Hop classic!

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[Edited 1/7/19 14:28pm]

pinkcashmere23 said:

I seem to recall reading that Prince was unhappy with her love scene in the movie.

I wonder why

Sheila E. performing "Hollyrock" during one of her shows in 1986

[Edited 1/8/19 14:32pm]

SoulAlive said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I seem to recall reading that Prince was unhappy with her love scene in the movie.

I wonder why

I think it may have been because he felt protective over her. I found the article I was thinking of. Sheila mentioned in this interview that Prince didn't want her doing a love scene that called for nudity www.nydailynews.com//ente...-1.1914774

[Edited 1/8/19 15:02pm]

Sheila was thriving during that time.Beginning with Krush Groove,she was doing things oustside of the Prince camp,which was good for her career.In 1986,she was the opening act on Lionel Richie's tour.These things exposed her to a wider audience.But then....in late '86,Prince asked her to his drummer.

SoulAlive said:

Sheila E. performing "Hollyrock" during one of her shows in 1986

[Edited 1/8/19 14:32pm]

Fun performance! Love it!

Sheila spoke about working on this film during her interview with the Prince Podcast. She stated that it was not a great experience, because the East coast guys/rappers were not welcoming to her, as she was from the West coast. I believe she said she almost quit the film. I got the feeling she could have said a lot more, but was trying to be diplomatic about the experience.

violetcrush said:

Sheila spoke about working on this film during her interview with the Prince Podcast. She stated that it was not a great experience, because the East coast guys/rappers were not welcoming to her, as she was from the West coast. I believe she said she almost quit the film. I got the feeling she could have said a lot more, but was trying to be diplomatic about the experience.

Wow, sorry to hear that, because u would never know from watching the film. I loved it and the soundtrack. I give Krush Groove (1985) a 4.5 out of 5

SoulAlive said:

Sheila was thriving during that time.Beginning with Krush Groove,she was doing things oustside of the Prince camp,which was good for her career.In 1986,she was the opening act on Lionel Richie's tour.These things exposed her to a wider audience.But then....in late '86,Prince asked her to his drummer.

From what I've read and pieced together it was early 87

interesting timeline, Susannah leaves Prince mid-late 86

Cat is asked to join the band January-February 87

I believe Sheila was still touring her 3rd album in Jan 87

OldFriends4Sale said:

SoulAlive said:

Sheila was thriving during that time.Beginning with Krush Groove,she was doing things oustside of the Prince camp,which was good for her career.In 1986,she was the opening act on Lionel Richie's tour.These things exposed her to a wider audience.But then....in late '86,Prince asked her to his drummer.

From what I've read and pieced together it was early 87

interesting timeline, Susannah leaves Prince mid-late 86

Cat is asked to join the band January-February 87

I believe Sheila was still touring her 3rd album in Jan 87

She was opening for Lionel Ritchie up until the end of '86, and then would have been in rehearsals with Prince, right? They did the first SOTT show March 21st, 1987.

violetcrush said:

Sheila spoke about working on this film during her interview with the Prince Podcast. She stated that it was not a great experience, because the East coast guys/rappers were not welcoming to her, as she was from the West coast. I believe she said she almost quit the film. I got the feeling she could have said a lot more, but was trying to be diplomatic about the experience.

Wow,that's disappointing to hear.I also think that,maybe the fact that Sheila wasn't really a part of that "scene" (early hip-hop) is why they weren't so welcoming to her.Btw,the guys in Run-DMC didn't really like the movie.They described it as "soft".

EmmaMcG said:

This thread made me curious to see the movie. It was hard enough to find but I found it in the end. Watched it last night with my cousin. Maybe you'd have to have seen it at the time but it's really bad. Like, really really bad.

It was not a blockbuster back then either. I was a Freshman in College and don't remember even knowing about it. However, Run-DMC's music was quite popular at the Frat parties

SoulAlive said:

violetcrush said:

Sheila spoke about working on this film during her interview with the Prince Podcast. She stated that it was not a great experience, because the East coast guys/rappers were not welcoming to her, as she was from the West coast. I believe she said she almost quit the film. I got the feeling she could have said a lot more, but was trying to be diplomatic about the experience.

Wow,that's disappointing to hear.I also think that,maybe the fact that Sheila wasn't really a part of that "scene" (early hip-hop) is why they weren't so welcoming to her.Btw,the guys in Run-DMC didn't really like the movie.They described it as "soft".

Admittedly, I don't know much about the film - never watched it, but I thought she said there were also some West coast rappers in the film, and they were all snubbed by the NY crew. I could be getting that wrong though, and it might have just been her who was coming from CA. I guess the tension between NY and LA rappers started earlier than the late 80's/early 90's.

EmmaMcG said:

This thread made me curious to see the movie. It was hard enough to find but I found it in the end. Watched it last night with my cousin. Maybe you'd have to have seen it at the time but it's really bad. Like, really really bad.

I have to admit,the movie seems like it was hastily thrown together.I do like the Sheila E. performance scenes,though

Honestly,if you wanna see a great film about the early rap era (which also includes breakdancing and graffitit),I would recommend 'Beat Street'.It is excellent.Released in the summer of 1984,around the same time as 'Purple Rain'.

WHICH "PRINCE PODCAST?"

peach and black?

GaryMF said:

WHICH "PRINCE PODCAST?"

peach and black?

You mean the interview with Eric Leeds? If so, it is actually called "Prince Podcast" - the one hosted by Michael Dean. I love "Peach and Black" too - those guys are good.

*
Eric's interview is posted in 4 parts on YT. Here's the first part if you're looking for it:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S11NjgzEmRI