50 Years of Hip-Hop

KRUSH GROOVE

Screening & Discussion

Friday, February 23, 2024 | 7:30pm

Little Theatre 1 (240 East Ave.)
Doors open at 7:00pm

Regular ticket prices
Tickets available online in advance, or at the door.

Russell Walker is a young, successful manager of rap performers, handling acts for the Krush Groove label including Run-D.M.C. and The Fat Boys. When Run-D.M.C. has a hit record and Russell needs more money to press more copies, he borrows it from a street hustler and soon regrets his decision.

Based on the inception of the Def Jam Recordings label and the challenges that young hip hop artists and producers faced on their path to become successful, the film features a cast of actors and musicians who were already stars, or on their path to stardom — Blair Underwood, Sheila E., LL Cool J, Rev Run, Run-D.M.C., The Fat Boys and Kurtis Blow, to name a few.

Krush Groove is a notable moment in hip-hop cinema and a now-infrequently-seen cult classic, serving as both a time capsule of the 1980s hip-hop scene and a record of the moment where it broke into the mainstream, cementing its impact on popular culture and the greater media landscape, still felt today.

DJ BacSpin

DJ BacSpin has blessed audiences with untouchable performances, radio shows, advertisements, and mixtapes. His creativity as a DJ and his lyrical skills have allowed him to build his reputation as being one of the livest DJs in New York. Born LaMont Wingo in Rochester, BacSpin began deejaying when he was just seven years old. He is currrently deejaying on the hottest radio station in Rochester, 105.5 The Beat. He was nominated and won Best DJ at the Annual ROC Awards in 2014 and 2015. He was also featured in BreakThru Magazine as one of the pioneering deejays in Rochester.

Aside from being a talented artist, he has learned to become a profitable businessman. His objective in the music business is to continue to grow as a DJ, as well as to learn more about marketing and promoting himself to gain more success.

DJ Ease

Champion DJ and producer DJ Ease has made his mark as one of the most musically versatile party rockers in today’s party scene. Recently featured on Sway in the Morning and currently booking all over the US, Europe, and Asia, his style of mixing multiple genres is in high demand from partygoers around the globe.

Aside from rocking clubs, EASE is also known as National DJ champion and certified platinum artist Young M.A’s official tour DJ who has toured as an opening concert DJ for major artists in the music industry including WU-TANG CLAN, USHER, TRAVIS SCOTT, CARDI B, GRAND MASTER FLASH and NAS. EASE held a residency at the legendary Hard Rock Casino’s REHAB Beach Club in Las Vegas (Best Hotel Pool Winner by USA TODAY) and mixes weekly on NBA Champion Shaquille O’Neal’s SHAQFU RADIO. For the latest news and tour dates, visit www.djease.com.

DJ Grand Imperial

Rochester native DJ Grand Imperial, better known as “GI,” has had over 25 years of professional experience in communications, from working at Rochester’s only black-owned radio station, WDKX, to DJing countless parties for some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop, R&B & Reggae. DJ Grand Imperial continues to move the culture forward by continuing to work the party scene and create radio mixes when the time permits. With just as much experience in barbering as communications, currently DJ Grand Imperial shifts his skills behind the clippers. With the overlap between the worlds of music and hair, it’s no wonder GI has become a master barber.

DJ Sight

Rochester native DJ Sight has been deejaying for over 29 years. An expert host and radio DJ, he has performed at hundreds of special events, weddings, and other celebrations across the country and across New York State, including Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and New York City. DJ Sight currently co-hosts the Wake-Up Club on WDKX, where he has worked since 2010. He is passionate about meeting and connecting with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and lifting up the community through playing great music.

Moderator: Racqui Stephen

DJ on The Beat (105.5), health & environment reporter for WXXI News

50 Years of Hip-Hop

From February to July, The Little will be presenting a “mixtape” series of films celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop. With both narrative and documentary films, this series will highlight the music, the culture, and artists who have shaped our collective consciousness, influenced cinema and media, and ultimately changed the world.. See the films in this series