Watch Bodied

"Bodied" is a highly controversial 2017 American drama film that made a huge impact on the world of rap and hip-hop culture. Directed by Joseph Kahn, the movie stars Calum Worthy as Adam, a white college student who becomes involved in the world of rap battles through his academic research. Adam's fascination with the genre leads him down a path of cultural appropriation and exploitation, where he becomes a successful battle rapper in the underground rap circuit.

The film opens with Adam, a PhD candidate in English, studying the history and poetry of rap battles. As part of his research, he attends several local rap battles and becomes enamored with the genre. From there, he begins to immerse himself in the world of underground battle rap, where he soon discovers that the art form is rooted in racism, misogyny, and homophobia.

Despite this, Adam becomes fascinated with the art form and uses his research to create his own persona as a battle rapper. He becomes well known in the underground rap scene and begins to make waves in the industry, all while struggling to balance his academic life and his newfound passion for rap.

"Bodied" is a raw and captivating look at the world of underground rap battles, tackling issues of race, identity, and cultural appropriation with unflinching honesty. At its core, the film is an exploration of the complex and often problematic relationships between art, culture, and power.

The performances in "Bodied" are exceptional, with Calum Worthy delivering a standout performance as the conflicted Adam. Jackie Long also shines as Behn Grymm, a seasoned battle rapper who takes Adam under his wing, and Rory Uphold brings heart and depth to the role of Maya, Adam's girlfriend who struggles to reconcile his new persona with the person she thought she knew.

The film also features a stellar supporting cast, including Walter Perez as Che Corleone and Jonathan "Dumbfoundead" Park as Prospek, two other battle rappers who become integral figures in Adam's journey. Other standout performances include Shoniqua Shandai as Adam's academic advisor, Eddie Perino as Adam's roommate, and Anthony Michael Hall as the mononymous battle rap legend, T.

One of the most impressive aspects of "Bodied" is its commitment to authenticity. The film pulls no punches when it comes to the graphic language and explicit content found in rap battles, and it doesn't shy away from tackling controversial issues head-on. Instead, it embraces them, using them to fuel its exploration of the culture and politics of the rap battle scene.

At the same time, "Bodied" is also a highly entertaining film. The rap battles themselves are expertly choreographed and filmed, providing an adrenaline-fueled rush that keeps audiences engaged and on the edge of their seats. The film's sense of humor is also on point, providing much-needed moments of levity amidst the darker themes and subject matter.

Overall, "Bodied" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that manages to balance its incisive exploration of cultural appropriation with its thrilling depictions of underground rap battles. It's a film that will inspire discussion and debate long after the credits have rolled, and a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of art, culture, and power.

Bodied is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 75.