In The News

‘This Is the Life’ Review: A Valuable Part of Hip-Hop History

By ARRAY
February 23, 2021
By ARRAY
February 23, 2021

Ava DuVernay’s 2008 debut feature, the documentary “This Is the Life,” is a refreshing portrait of a 1990s California hip-hop subculture that thrived separately from gangsta rap. DuVernay’s documentary, now available to stream on Netflix, is a personal project. She performed as part of the rap duo Figures of Speech at the Good Life Cafe — a South Central Los Angeles health food cafe that became a mecca for the underground rap community.

Throughout the ’90s, the modest space’s open-mic nights fostered a bevy of young, raw, untainted lyrical voices telling stories of everyday life in L.A. DuVernay combines performer interviews with VHS footage and audio clips of their shows to retell a magical period in the hip-hop scene.

Related Articles

Upcoming Events: ARRAY @ LA PHIL!

Upcoming Events: ARRAY @ LA PHIL!

ARRAY collaborates with the LA Phil for three extraordinary events in November! Join us during the Rock My Soul Festival for An Evening with Meshell Ndegeocello, Movie Soundtrack Yoga, and a screening of the 1954 classic, CARMEN JONES. BUY TICKETS!

read more