Watch Bad Rap

Bad Rap is a documentary film that chronicles the journey of four Asian-American rappers trying to break into the mainstream music industry. The film follows the lives of Awkwafina, David Lee, Richard Lee, and Jonathan 'Dumbfoundead' Park as they battle racial stereotypes and attempt to carve out their niche in the highly competitive rap scene.

The documentary opens with a scene of Awkwafina, a Chinese-American rapper, performing at a small club in New York City. From the outset, it's clear that her style is unique, and her lyrics speak to the cultural experiences that many Asian-Americans share. However, despite her talent, she struggles to gain traction in an industry that often overlooks Asian-American artists.

The film then shifts to David Lee, a Korean-American rapper from Los Angeles. Lee grew up in a predominantly African-American neighborhood and was inspired by the hip hop culture around him. He started rapping in high school and continued to hon his skills as he pursued a career in music. However, like Awkwafina, he finds that his ethnicity works against him in an industry that favors a certain aesthetic.

Next, we meet Richard Lee, a Chinese-American rapper also from Los Angeles. Lee started rapping in his teens and quickly gained a following in the Asian-American community. However, he soon realized that his music needed to transcend race if he wanted to succeed on a larger scale. He partnered with David Lee and together they formed a rap group called 'TKN'. However, despite their best efforts, TKN fails to make a breakthrough.

Finally, the documentary introduces us to Dumbfoundead, a Korean-American rapper and battle rapper from Los Angeles. Dumbfoundead gained fame in the early 2000s for his freestyle battles, and he soon became a prominent figure in the underground rap scene. However, he longs to be taken seriously as a recording artist and to transcend the novelty of being an Asian-American rapper.

As the film progresses, we see each of the four rappers navigate the challenges of the music industry. They encounter racism, stereotypes, and dismissive attitudes from industry insiders. They struggle to find their own voice and to make music that is authentic to their experiences. They are often forced to compromise their vision to meet the demands of record labels and producers.

Despite the many setbacks, the four rappers remain committed to their art. They continue to find inspiration in their shared experiences as Asian-Americans, and they support each other through the highs and lows of the industry. Through Bad Rap, we see the dedication, ambition, and artistry that these four rappers possess, and we root for them to finally achieve the success and recognition they deserve.

In summary, Bad Rap is a thought-provoking and insightful documentary about the challenges faced by Asian-American artists in the music industry. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in hip hop culture, music, and the intersection of race and art. By the end of the film, we are left with a sense of hope and admiration for the four rappers, who despite the odds, continue to chase their dreams.

Bad Rap is a 2016 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.