This film examines the nexis of two separate but related subcultures through the life experience of H-Crown, 25. Although this is H-Crown’s story, this story is being told, right now, by thousands of other African-American males in dozens of US cities. There is a significant street gang culture dominated by black males from 14 – 35 years old, and within this group many have looked at rap and hip-hop music as the only way out of the conditions that have held them down for so many years.

Prison incarceration, gun violence, lack of education, and fatherless homes has created a generation of black youth who have had to look to the streets to learn about manhood. This street indoctrination has pushed black males to resort to violence as a way to prove and define their manhood among other men. In Hip-Hop, this street reputation can contribute to creating a persona that can lead to a successful career in music.

N.W.A and Ice-T built their careers about rapping on these social realities, and gangster rap as a subgenre of Hip-Hop has dominated the music industry with the successes of Notorious BIG, Tupac Shakur and 50 Cent.

In recent years artist such as YG, The Game, Tyga, Lil Boosie, Yo Gotti, Young Jeezy and Nispey Hussle have also achieved significant success in both mainstream, independent and underground circles rapping about the social conditions they experienced which includes drugs, gun violence and incarceration. H-Crown’s stories embodies all the elements of where these two worlds intersect and the desire to become successful.

Alex Alonso
February 25, 2015