[from David Medina -- see the About paragraph at the conclusion of this post] “Revolution is not about destruction but construction.”

It was 1973. New York. The Bronx. Kool Herc and two turntables. He only wanted to affect his block, not knowing he would affect the world. From that moment Hip Hop would grow to be an ever-changing tool for communities without voice. ESTILLO HIP HOP is a feature length documentary that effectively exposes that very ideal through the eyes of three Hip Hop artists from Chile, Brazil and Cuba. This film touches on the progression of Hip Hop in these countries and its use as a social and political weapon. At the core, Estilo Hip Hop tells the stories of Guerillero (Chile), Eli Efi (Brazil) and Magia (Cuba) as they struggle against their environment, government and humanity to bring their voices to the forefront of an ongoing battle.

Filmmakers Vee Bravo and DJ Laylo capture not only the art they produce but also the everyday struggle they endure to become better citizens of the world. You feel drawn in by Guerillero’s pain as he looks into the camera, his eyes revealing the pull between providing for his daughters as the father he wants to be and the passion he feels for change in the world.

Eli Efi sacrifices his opportunity for success with his politically charged group DMN, stepping down because the group was offered a major label deal. He confidently states the opportunity to provide for his family is a big one but it shouldn’t come from giving up his voice.

Magia travels throughout Cuba with her husband creating spaces for people to celebrate the music and share ideas about the world. The film slowly reveals the doubts she encounters with her mission. Politics come into play for a big show she’s producing as it simply gets shut down. She teeters with giving up the fight as the progress being made is stifled.

ESTILO HIP HOP reveals the problems of racism, lackluster economies and educational deficiency in each country, which creates the canvas for each artist to express their frustration through Hip Hop. This very idea follows the film as the protagonists search for ways to let Hip Hop expand into their communities. They educate the members of their community through workshops and meetings, building a following for generations to come. Every inch of their soul is given to create a space for Hip Hop to exist, so the voices of those generations can be heard.

I left the theatre with a feeling of nostalgia, remembering Hip Hop as the voice that informed my childhood. Memories of saving my lunch money ($2 a day) to buy the next tape, recording DJ Red Alert and Mr. Magic on weekends and writing down every lyric to every song and memorizing them letter-by-letter; simply for the love of it. This film underscores the personal price these artists pay for their love of the music and the faith they place in this art form to change the world. They give everything they have and sacrifice their very freedoms to simply speak, something most of the Hip Hop community takes for granted. ESTILO HIP HOP serves as that reminder, where the reality of the world and Hip Hop’s place in that world touches us in a way we never thought it could or simply, forgot it could.

ABOUT David Medina
David Medina is a writer/poet from Brooklyn, New York. His work has been published in Elemental Magazine, The Connex List, City Beat and numerous premiere hip hop and music industry Web sites. In 2000, David launched his hip hop on-line magazine Inkwell Media featuring the unexplored talent of underground hip hop performing artists. David is a member of the Nkiru/Open Spaces Writer’s Workshop in Brooklyn. He is currently working on a novel loosely based on his childhood. David received his bachelor’s degree in communications with a focus on film analysis and production from SUNY Brockport in upstate New York.