In 2004, a west coast rap promoter named Chang had an ambition, one that he and his Guerilla Union group dreamed to realize. He was going to start a massive day-long rap festival called “Rock the Bells,” which highlights everything about the culture. Breakdancing, DJ booths, live graffiti, and some of the best underground rap acts that include provocateurs like Sage Francis and duos like MC Eyedea & DJ Abilities. If you're not familiar with those names, don’t worry, I wasn't. But we all know the name of the show’s headliner.
Chang’s ambition was to do what is considered the absolute impossible: to put on a Wu Tang Clan show that involves all nine members of the iconic rap group.
The complete Clan line-up is something that had not been seen for over a decade. The prospect of a reunion gig drew a crowd from all over. Fans flew and drove from other states to see this monumental event, but they were rightly skeptical. Even hours before showtime, when asked if all nine members would show, a group of people waiting in line collectively yelled “No!” without hesitation.
What starts out as a behind-the-scenes documentation of the event’s planning quickly escalates into a dramatic tale of an independent promoter risking life, limb and reputation; as the festival gradually spirals wildly out of control. Yet, at the same time, it also provides a glimpse into a slice of society that’s undeniably fascinating. Oh, and it has top-notch musical performances, too.
This film does what any great concert film is supposed to do. When the credit rolls, it leaves you crying because you couldn’t be at the actual event. Regardless whether or not you are a follower of the hip hop genre (which I profess I’m not a big fan of), this documentary is still absurdly exciting, almost bursting at the seams with energy. The editing alone is far and away above the typical interview-cut-footage-cut-interview documentary editing style. Rock the Bells embodies the spirit of the subject matter by being fast-paced and frenetic. Interviews with two different people are intercut together to form a musical rhythmic flow of verbal information, complete with a thumping beat running through the talking heads. Often times, random throwaway B-roll footage that would have normally been dumped are pieced together into a hip hop montage that paints a picture of what the festival atmosphere is like.
Rap music works best as a form of urban poetry, and that couldn’t be more evident here. The rap acts featured all live and die by their audience; be it MC Supernatural’s interactive freestyle, Jurassic5’s sudden improv when stage equipments unexpectedly malfunction, or Sage Francis taunting the West Coast audience to grow some balls and shoot his East Coast heart. There is a sense of an underground community that doesn’t seem possible with the glitz of MTV rappers, and the songs reflect that, with lyrics that promote social issues rather than flamboyant lifestyles. Watching Rock the Bells, it’s almost disrespectful to not get absorbed by the love these people have for their music.
There’s humor, such as Redman’s antics in pursuit of marijuana and DJ Abilities’ neverending turntable-work. There’s warmth, in how the rappers take care of their families and each other. There’s also sadness, in segments recounting the life of the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard. The entire documentary is one big satisfying journey, a story absolutely worth being documented like no other. The suspense involved is so engrossing that you fear for Chang and his crew, and when the whole festival comes together at the end… Well, let’s just say there’s no shame in sharing their tears of joy.
As far as music documentaries go, Rock the Bells stands tall with the best, and it's possibly the best film about rap music you can find. Like the saying goes, Wu Tang Clan ain’t nuthin’ to f-ck with.
"Rock the Bells" opens June 7, 2007 and is rated . . Written by N/A.
