Project Detail

War of Words: Battle Rap in the UK

Synopsis

An energising and controversial feature documentary that lifts the lid on the fast growing UK battle rap scene.
The film reveals the history and evolution of this unique subculture of hip hop: charting from its origins in playgrounds and parks, through to nightclubs and competitions. From its beginnings as a battle of quick-thinking freestyle wit, through to its current incarnation as a form of well-rehearsed poetry and theatre.
Directors Craig Tuohy and Tom Worth followed and filmed major players involved with the UK battle rapping scene over a period of two years- revealing behind the scenes footage, clips from some of the best battles, and interviews with the top battle rappers from all over the UK including poet Mark Grist, whose battle rap with Blizzard has had over 4.5 million hits on YouTube.
The film is an entertaining expose on how the UK has taken an American art form and made it uniquely British, and so creating one of the most exciting youth subcultures around today.

Details

Year: 2015
Type of project: Features
Running time: 93 mins
Format: digital video
Director: Craig Tuohy, Tom Worth
Producer: Craig Tuohy, Tom Worth, Charlotte Arden
Executive Producer: Lee Kemp, Peter Dunphy, Vivian Giourousis, Alistair Monty
Editor: Barry Moen
Screenwriter: Craig Tuohy
Composer: Si Begg
Principal cast: Ice-T, Doc Brown, Raekwon, Scroobius Pip