Most people first meet me, and see that Iâm this nerdy, skinny white kid from Alabama, and go âHuh, how did this happen?â [Laughs] Though Iâm always surprised that none of the rappers or artist that I talk to are ever surprised. ZB: When we did a screening, and there was a Q & A afterward, someone asked this same question. So the process for me was taking that footage, and using it with some talking head interviews with artist who knew him, and other friends and family members, and use those pieces to help tell his story. So the process for me was taking that footage, and using it with some talking head interviews with artist who knew him, and other friends and family members, and use those pieces to help tell his story. Title: ZB: I get this question a lot. Other people had approached her about it, but she never really felt comfortable. Last August, Daisy Coleman, 23, the rape survivor featured in the Netflix documentary Audrie & Daisy, was found dead by suicide in her home. my man justin lomax went all out to feature you the best the bay has to offer in 21309. with interviews from people like mac dre, mac mall, & yukmouth, this is a must for anyone who likes the sideshow action and all the great rappers from the bay area. New Legend of The Bay The Life of Mac Dre Documentary! SFW: Why do you think Dre has had such a lasting impact? So, when I moved to Los Angeles a few years ago, and met Mike Risner, and the guys from Thizz Entertainment, I was already a fan. I had never worked on a documentary before, and they were like, âNo, no, we can tell just by talking to you, youâve got the right attitude for this, even if you donât have the experience.â, SFW: I read somewhere that Drake was actually integral in convincing Wanda to be a part of the documentary? Bay Area rapper Mac Dre began his career at 18 and quickly became an influential force in early west coast hip-hop. SFW: Do you know when Dre  transitioned  from the Hammer look to the pimp look? ZB: He went through phases, kind of like The Beatles had their early years and then their Sgt. I think most people will agree itâs not his best work, but I think the message of âIâm just going to keep goingâ is more important than the content of that album. Some of it is out there on Youtube, but most of it had never been seen before. (2005) as Burton Ernie. nd how did that art affect the community that it emerged from?â That sounds really weighty and academic, but I think if you treat it like you would a Picasso painting, all of this stuff emerges that maybe people didnât think about before. He switched to Mac Dre to honor his rap mentor, Michael โThe Macโฆ My roommate was listening to E-40 one day, and I was like, âWhat is going on! Over burbling electronic instrumentals filled with blips and heavy bass,  Dre rapped lucid, earnest, and funny tales that inspired a generation of rappers to adopt and master his style, leading to the evolution of hyphy music. SFW: An amazing piece of footage you found is Dre performing for the first time at Hogan High School, where he looks like MC Hammer. Iâm worshiping at the source.â In talking to Wanda, sheâs come to realize what her sonâs work meant to other people. Documentary. I think she feels reinvigorated having it out there. The respect gave him some leeway to experiment with style and image. With Mac Dre, Equipto, Suga Free, Brotha Lynch Hung.  But this is not intended to be the final piece on Mac Dreâs life, itâs intended to keep his legacy going. Itâs kind of cool to give people the platform to organize their own events. Â. ZB:Yeah! My roommate was listening to E-40 one day, and I was like, âWhat is going on!  The 90-minute film premiered in 2015 at the San Francisco Black Film Festival, and is now available for streaming on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Instant Video, or on the film’s website. Someone literally just came with a little 8-track recorder and put it up against the receiver on the telephone in the visitors widow at the jail and played a beat and he rapped over it from the other side of the glass. Follow the inside story of how it all began for Dr. Dre as we take a journey though his pinnacle producer years right through to his lucrative partnership with Apple. Heâs got music that when you put it on today, it sounds like it came out today. The Best of Mac Dre (2002) The Best of Mac Dre II (2004) The Best of Mac Dre Vol. peep this for sure and also pick up mac โฆ Mac Dre, the Oakland rapper whose goofy demeanor and Bay-Area raps hold a special place in his fans' hearts, may be showing up at Coachella โ from the grave. SFW: A decent chunk of the movie is actually given over to talking about Dre being prosecuted for âconspiracy to commit robbery,â and the prosecutors using Dreâs lyrics to his songs as âevidenceâ to indict to indict him. Most people first meet me, and see that Iâm this nerdy, skinny white kid from Alabama, and go âHuh, how did this happen?â [Laughs] Though Iâm always surprised that none of the rappers or artist that I talk to are ever surprised. ZB: When we did a screening, and there was a Q & A afterward, someone asked this same question. ZB: Absolutely. I have a lot of friends who are art historians and I wanted to approach this doc like  any serious historian would approach any other artistâs work. It premiered at the San Francisco Black Film Festival, and it actually won the Audience Choice Award. SFW: It explains a lot about why a lot of Bay Area rap doesnât sound like gangster rap from L.A., or club rap from Atlanta. The respect gave him some leeway to experiment with style and image. It was them who convinced me to work on the project. A stylistic innovator and staunch proponent of individuality, he became a symbol of unapologetic self-expression as well as regional pride after his untimely death in 2004. Add the first question. The art is affected by where it came from. ?â And put him on trial for that?â No one ever would think that, but a 19-year-old black kid from Vallejo, thereâs no understanding that he may be taking artistic license here. He had such credibility from going to prison and not telling on his friends that when he came back and started dressing like that, no one could make fun of him. People donât talk about Hammer when they talk about The Bay. It was them who convinced me to work on the project. The Gift (2005) as Mac Dre. For a while, she kind of shut people out, and it was Drake who said, âYou know, you should share with the world. Kicks (2016) as Soundtrack. The Mac Dre style really starts when he gets out of prison and starts going to raves. ZB: Yes. Video documentary: Mac Dre (as Andre Hicks) Archive Footage Archive Footage. Great artist take that, shape it, then turn it into something new. An artistâs work is allowed to describe the world they see around them and construct scenarios that maybe are violent and make people uncomfortable. Video documentary: Mac Dre (as Andre Hicks) Archive Footage . โRest in peace Mac Dre / Imma do it for the Bayโ is what Drake rapped on his 2011 hit โThe Mottoโ. Mac Dre and the Romper Room Gang are living legends of how homeboys should be. Bay Area rapper Mac Dre began his career at 18 and quickly became an influential force in early west coast hip-hop. Everything is an electronic dance beat with someone rapping over it. Although this teaser is really short, what can you tell us about the documentary process? In 1992 he was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery when his lyrics were used against him in court. ZB: Absolutely. 6 years ago. According to Detective McGraw of the Vallejo Police Department (VPD), in a Black Entertainment Television (BET) documentary entitled American Gangster: Romper Room Gang, the Romper Room gang was a tightly knit band from the Crest. In honor of the hyphy legend who introduced the world to a form of rap that was both playful and hard hitting, director Zachary Butler created the documentary, Mac Dre: Legend of The Bay. nd how did that art affect the community that it emerged from?â That sounds really weighty and academic, but I think if you treat it like you would a Picasso painting, all of this stuff emerges that maybe people didnât think about before. Itâs a little bit more politically involved. I have a lot of friends who are art historians and I wanted to approach this doc like  any serious historian would approach any other artistâs work. Ranked at the top of the Forbes rich list in 2014, Andre Romelle Young, aka Dr. Dre is set to become one of the first hip-hop billionaires in the world! Great documentary called Ghostride the Whip narrated by Sway Calloway. 30. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Where does the story begin? ZB: Yeah, exactly. Print. ZB: That was actually the earliest pitch for the documentary. Cutting Room! This FAQ is empty. Archived. They would do anything for one another, they would ride together and die together. The hyphy movement started kicking off about when I was in college, and it was just stuff that got passed around. ZB: [Laughs] Yeah, thatâs true. I donât remember who it was, but someone off-screen when I was talking to E-40 said, âImagine if someone said to Johnny Cash: âYou shot a man in Reno just to watch him die! I think she feels reinvigorated having it out there. I have kind of a roundabout way to getting to Mac Dre. Now, however, Thizz Entertainment โ Mac Dre's former label that manages his estate โ is releasing a documentary about the late artist: Mac Dre: Legend of the Bay. He left prison with a new lease on life, founded an independent record company, and then was murdered just when he began to emerge as a star. I have kind of a roundabout way to getting to Mac Dre. Obviously, his music was so ahead of his time. An artistâs work is allowed to describe the world they see around them and construct scenarios that maybe are violent and make people uncomfortable. He had such credibility from going to prison and not telling on his friends that when he came back and started dressing like that, no one could make fun of him. Tweet. ZB: Yes. I went to a small art school in Alabama.It was a weird art and music college, and I was playing in a couple of bands at the time, and I was really into underground hip-hop, especially what was going on in Atlanta. 4 (2008) The Best of Mac Dre Vol. This is where the Black Panthers were born. Da U.S. Open with Mac Mall (2005) A Tale of Two Andres with Andre Nickatina (2008) Compilation albums.  But this is not intended to be the final piece on Mac Dreâs life, itâs intended to keep his legacy going. However, before he could reach that audience, Mac Dre needed money, which is where his gang, the Romper Room came in. Rap Legend Mac Dre is convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery after his lyrics are used against him in court. He grew up on him, and he talks about him on âThe Motto.â. Itâs a little bit more politically involved. Zachary Butler: Really, things started when Michael Riser, whoâs an executive producer, [met] through some people at Thizz Entertainment, Mac Dreâs mother, and they had been kicking around the idea of a Mac Dre doc before. We've curated a list of lesser-known films to help you explore the space-time continuum from the comfort of your couch. Obviously, itâs devastating losing a child: He was young, and it was a tragedy. He took me to a house party.â You know?â When he touched someoneâs life, you came away with a story, and some people are telling those stories years later. Title Year Status Character; Mac Dre: Legend of the Bay: 2015: Documentary: Himself: Ghostride the Whip: 2008: Video documentary: Himself: Looks like we don't have awards information. Posted by. ZB:Yeah! This is where the Black Panthers were born. 3 (2006) Everybody Ain't Able with Jay Tee (2007) The Best of Mac Dre Vol. You would say, âWhatâs the cultural context that the art was created in? ?â and that led us to Mac Dre and Keak da Sneak, and the whole Bay Area movement. In 2004, Dre was tragically killed in Kansas City after a concert, a murder that is still unsolved to this day. A family bond nobody could break. Obviously, itâs devastating losing a child: He was young, and it was a tragedy. Please Consider Disabling Your Ad Blocker, Sup. This documentary covers his young life, the birth of his career, as well as Mac Dre being convicted of conspiracy to rob banks partially because of the lyrics in his song โPunk Policeโ and the rise of his record company, Thizz, and his unfortunate murder on the streets of Kansas City on the night of Nov. 1, 2004. Â. ?â And put him on trial for that?â No one ever would think that, but a 19-year-old black kid from Vallejo, thereâs no understanding that he may be taking artistic license here. Someone literally just came with a little 8-track recorder and put it up against the receiver on the telephone in the visitors widow at the jail and played a beat and he rapped over it from the other side of the glass. Donât hold this in. Iâm worshiping at the source.â In talking to Wanda, sheâs come to realize what her sonâs work meant to other people. In 1989 Andre Louis Hicks performed the song "Too Hard for da Fuckin' Radio" at the James Hogan High School talent show. SFW: Have you had a chance to screen the movie in the Bay? Tags: Mac Dre, rap, hip-hop, Vallejo , โฆ In November of 2004, Oakland-born and Vallejo-raised Hip Hop legend, Mac Dre, was shot and killed in the streets of Kansas City. Sorry! When Mike was talking to her, she said that she had an old VHS home recording of the first performance Mac Dre ever did at the Hogan High School talent show in 1998, and we were like, âPeople need to see that!â Then, Wanda told us that she had even more old VHS tapes of all sorts of footage of Mac Dre: behind the scene concert footage, them going on vacations, hanging out in hotel rooms, stuff like that. When Mike was talking to her, she said that she had an old VHS home recording of the first performance Mac Dre ever did at the Hogan High School talent show in 1998, and we were like, âPeople need to see that!â Then, Wanda told us that she had even more old VHS tapes of all sorts of footage of Mac Dre: behind the scene concert footage, them going on vacations, hanging out in hotel rooms, stuff like that. It wasnât just that he shook their hand, itâs like, âHe grabbed me and took me on an adventure. Share it with people.â It definitely changed her perspective. A documentary about the "hyphy movement" that took place after Mac Dre's death. Thatâs what artists should do, and just because itâs in a song doesnât mean it happened personally.Of course, thereâs a pretty ugly element of racism in these cases. โLegend of the Bayโ is a must see documentary on the life of Mac Dre and the local independent rap industry that he helped to create. Everything is an electronic dance beat with someone rapping over it. In researching and working on the documentary, Tray has met with many of Mac Dreโs family and friends, including Curtis Nelson (Kilo Kurt). SFW: What was your relationship to Mac Dre and his music before you started making the documentary? Add to Wishlist. ZB: I get this question a lot. Heâs got music that when you put it on today, it sounds like it came out today. 81. Interviewing famous Bay Area rappers like E-40, Mistah F.A.B., Keak Da Sneak and the late Mac Dre, the documentary explores the origins of the practice and the eternal appeal of courting danger. Thu, Feb 18, 2016 at 10:36 AM. ZB: That was before I became a part of it, so I canât give you the whole story on it, but I can tell you that people associate Mac Dre with the Bay so hard, that they forget that he has fans all over the world, and Drake was one of those fans. For a while, she kind of shut people out, and it was Drake who said, âYou know, you should share with the world. Donât hold this in. Just being in discussion and knowing some of the same people. In 1992 he was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery when his ... View production, box office, & company info. What he started with Thizz, blending EDM and hip-hop, well, thatâs what everything is now, right? Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Share it with people.â It definitely changed her perspective. Like, âOh my God! Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? I met with Wanda before and she had talked to a number of other people about doing the doc, but she wasnât comfortable with it, and I purposed introducing Mac Dreâs story by talking about history. We all just went, âWow, thatâs a good question.â Everybody went around and gave their own ideas about it, then someone in the audience said, âI think what this says is that he had such a personal charisma and magmatism, that everybody who met him has a Mac Dre story. Bay Area rapper Mac Dre began his career at 18 and quickly became an influential force in early west coast hip-hop. After his release, he started a successful record label but was murdered just as his fame grew. A new documentary about the late Mac Dre has been officially released and the Bay Area legendโs mother credits Drake with inspiring her to get it made. In 1992 he was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery when his lyrics were used against him in court. Some of it is out there on Youtube, but most of it had never been seen before. And how did the place that it comes from affect the art? Mac Dreโs Legacy Lives on in New Documentary Film by Sam Ribakoff โข 09/21/2016 10:52 am Itโs been 12 years since Mac Dreโs untimely passing, but the Oakland-born rapper and producer โ famous for coining the phrase โfeeling myselfโ and introducing the world to the thizzle dance โ is still very much a legend in the Bay Area. We all just went, âWow, thatâs a good question.â Everybody went around and gave their own ideas about it, then someone in the audience said, âI think what this says is that he had such a personal charisma and magmatism, that everybody who met him has a Mac Dre story. And how did the place that it comes from affect the art? We are partnered with a new platform called Tugg that letâs people crowdsource theatrical screenings, so if you and 20 friends want to see the movie in local theaters, theyâll contact that theater and set up the screening. Title Year Status Character; Mac Dre: Legend of the Bay: 2015: Documentary: Himself: Ghostride the Whip: 2008: Video documentary: Himself: Known for movies. Get the feature film Mac Dre: Legend of the Bay plus the complete video of the performance that started it all. Itâs kind of cool to give people the platform to organize their own events. ZB: Yeah, that is very much still going on, rappers being prosecuted for their lyrics. I went to a small art school in Alabama.It was a weird art and music college, and I was playing in a couple of bands at the time, and I was really into underground hip-hop, especially what was going on in Atlanta. Email. He left prison with a new lease on life, founded an independent record company, and then was murdered just when he began to emerge as a star. ZB: Yeah, that is very much still going on, rappers being prosecuted for their lyrics. Pepper years.      Â. ZB: That was actually the earliest pitch for the documentary. We were discussing the Mac Dre biopic, like a two picture film deal about The Crestโa Mac Dre biopicโand a documentary. . Watch the Trailer for Thizz Entertainment's New Mac Dre Documentary By Nastia Voynovskaya. The documentary โฆ Other people had approached her about it, but she never really felt comfortable. In 1992 he was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery when his lyrics were used against him in court. Understandably, itâs not something she likes to talk about that much. I met with Wanda before and she had talked to a number of other people about doing the doc, but she wasnât comfortable with it, and I purposed introducing Mac Dreâs story by talking about history. I think it ultimately comes down to who he was as a person. What he started with Thizz, blending EDM and hip-hop, well, thatâs what everything is now, right? How To Know If A Used Car Has Been Damaged In An Accident; Four Tips For Comfortable Driving On Road Trips; Understand why CBD topicals are increasingly becoming popular For the first time ever, his mother Wanda reveals the true experiences of a hip-hop legend. Itâs been 12 years since Mac Dreâs untimely passing, but the Oakland-born rapper and producer — famous for coining the phrase âfeeling myselfâ and introducing the world to the thizzle dance —  is still very much a legend in the Bay Area. Â. SFW: I never realized that Dre was the first rapper to record an album in prison, too. Pepper years. 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