Watch The Great Hip Hop Hoax

The Great Hip Hop Hoax is a documentary film that showcases the story of two Scottish rappers who lied their way to fame by convincingly pretending to be American hip-hop artists. The movie follows the journey of Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, who grew up in a small town in Scotland and aspired to make it big in the music industry. The movie begins with the introduction of Gavin and Billy, who adopt the stage names 'Silibil' and 'Brains', respectively. They start their hip-hop journey in Scotland but quickly realize that it is difficult to break into the industry as Scottish rappers. They believe that their accent was a barrier that prevented them from being successful.

In a bold move, the two of them come up with a plan to reinvent themselves as American hip-hop artists. They change their appearance, their accent, and even invent fake backgrounds to convince people that they are from California. They create a new rap identity and backstory, claiming that they are from a rough part of the US and that they have struggled to make it in the music industry.

Their plan works, and the two of them get their big break in London. They perform at a club where their talent is quickly noticed, and they soon land a record deal. The movie follows their rise to fame as they perform in front of huge crowds, do interviews with famous journalists, and even share the stage with Snoop Dogg.

As they continue to perform and gain notoriety in the hip-hop world, they have to maintain their ruse. They continually hide their Scottish accents and tell lies to people who ask them about their background. They have to create a fake personal life to fit into their new image, which includes pretending to have American girlfriends.

The movie highlights the pressure that Gavin and Billy face as they try to keep up their lies. They must continually wear the mask of being American rappers, which creates a sense of paranoia and alienation. They even go to the extent of hiring American voice coaches to work on their fake accents.

As time passes, the two of them become increasingly disillusioned with the hip-hop industry. They realize that the industry is rife with exploitation and greed, and that their fake personas had brought them success but no fulfillment. They also begin to feel guilty about their lies and the way they have deceived people who supported them.

The movie highlights how they ultimately decide to come clean about their deception and face the consequences. The revelation not only shocks their fans but also causes the hip-hop world to question its authenticity. The film concludes with Gavin and Billy reflecting on their experience and coming to terms with the fact that they must live with the consequences of their actions.

The Great Hip Hop Hoax is a fascinating and engaging documentary that offers a unique insight into the culture of hip-hop and the lengths people will go to achieve their dreams. The film showcases the emotional journey of the two rappers as they navigate their way through the music industry and ultimately confront the reality of their lies. The movie is an exploration of identity, authenticity, and the human need for acceptance and validation. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the music industry, hip-hop culture or the complexities of human relationships.

The Great Hip Hop Hoax is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.