This feature-length documentary, directed by former Good Life emcee Ava DuVernay, chronicles the rise and fall of an unusual family of artists, while examining their obstacles to commercial success. They all took different paths, but remain connected by the music they made, the alternative hip hop movement they developed, and their worldwide influence on the art form.
Mar 10th, 2009
Performing Live at House of Blues Sunset
Cut Chemist
Chali2na
Myka Nyne
Abstract Rude
Pigeon John
Busdriver
Ellay Khule
Medusa
CVE
Ganjah K
DJ Killu
Omid
Screening Every Night at 8pm
Wednesday, Mar 11th – 17th, 2009
Mar 11 – Special Guest: Pigeon John
Mar 12 – Special Guest: Cut Chemist
Mar 13 – Special Guest: Abstract Rude
Mar 14 – Special Guest: 2Mex
Mar 15 …
In 1989 a health food center in South Central Los Angeles known as The Good Life Cafe opened its doors to what would become a world renowned open mic workshop that developed some of today’s brightest and most talented artists. During the same time west coast hip hop was synonymous with gang activity; The Good Life set a standard for spiritual enlightenment, positivity, and true expression that generated an unprecedented energy of appreciation for the music around the world. This is the Life documents the moments that became historical within an artist community and the events that led to the career paths and worldwide journeys. The Good Life has built an unstoppable legacy of staying true to your art form and embracing independence. Today this movement has spawned several open mic workshops around the world and …
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining some of west coast hip hop’s legendary emcee’s in the village of Leimert Park in South Central Los Angeles. Myka 9, Chali2na, Pigeon John, Ava DuVernay and Ellay Khule gathered to take some photos for URB’s feature on This is the Life; a film that documents the cultural mecca we know of as, The Good Life Cafe. To sit back and watch these incredibly talented, influental emcees interact and exchange stories years after writting on the first pages of west coasts rhymebook was simply amazing. After taking some photos at the park we continued on to Earlez Hot Dogs on Crenshaw and Exposition; literally kitty-corner to the famous Good Life Cafe, where I interviewed the director of the film, Ava DuVernay.
Here is a piece of the interview.
With …
Award-hoarding hip-hopumentary This Is the Life will enjoy its debut screening in its hometown of Los Angeles.
For the hip-hop narcoleptics and toddlers South Central’s Goodlife Cafe was the hallowed ground that planted the seed of West Coast mecca Project Blowed. Ava DuVernay’s nostalgic look chronicles the run of the Goodlife and its role as a stylistic breeding ground, where the MC’s you performed with set standards not meant to be met, only to be shattered again and again.
You can catch this milestone tonight at 7p as part of the Don’t Knock the Rock film series at the Silent Movie Theatre in L.A, complete with pre and post screen sets of Goodlife music. Get your tickets here, its a good time to be in L.A.
Leave A Comment!