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Fun nostalgic old school rap

» A review of ‘Be Kind Rewind’ by lyrical school

Jerrison Oracion
Senior Columnist

 

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R2 music today is not like rap music in
the past. While current rap music has
a high production value, the popular songs
involve people insulting each other and
enacting rivalries—like the rivalry between
Drake and Meek Mill for example. Back

in the 1990s, rap’s lyrics discussed aspects
of life, and the background music was
dope. It was very cool during that time and
everyone was doing it. That meaningful
style set the standard for rap music back
then.

There are a few groups that do rap the
old school way, including a group from
Japan called lyrical school. They follow
the original interpretation of rap. They
continue with this style in their recent
fourth album, Be Kind Rewind.

The five-member group adds a bit of
cuteness by incorporating pop music into
their style. The members include Minan,
Risano (who is very fluent in English since
she lived in Los Angeles for a while), Yuu,
Hime, and Hinako. The name of the album
references the reminder stickers on video
store rentals to rewind the VHS tape before
returning it, and that sets the theme for the
album.

The first five songs are very fun, have
a nostalgic sound, and use a variety of

Michele Provenzano
Staff Writer

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olemite is his name and fucking up

motherfuckers is his game. This is the
iconic catchphrase of Rudy Ray Moore’s
alter ego. Eddie Murphy’s cinematic
comeback, Dolemite Is My Name, packs the
journey of Rudy Ray Moore into a feel-good
film that succeeds in doing what it sets out
to do: entertain.

Dolemite Is My Name is a biographical
comedy based on the legendary comedian
and filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore. The movie
was directed by Craig Brewer, and written
by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.
It premiered this September 7 at the
Toronto International Film Festival.

Moore (Eddie Murphy) is a comedian
who's been trying to make his grandiose
show biz dreams come true since he first
moved out to LA. He's had to hold onto his
day-job—an assistant manager at a record
store—for longer than he'd intended to.
His usual comedy act hasn't had much
success, so he decides to try something
new. He adopts the character Dolemite
from African American folklore and depicts
him onstage. Dolemite is a lively pimp with
obscene and outrageous tales to tell.

 

 

‘'!

CEL ee

music effects. Like in “Over Dubbing,”
where a lot of the music effect is used,
and in, “One Second Summer,’ where the

Dolomite is his name

» ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ movie review

The new act brings Moore immense
success. He records a comedy album which
becomes a hit and gets picked up bya
production company. Moore believes the
character is destined for something bigger:
a movie. With the help of his friends Toney
(Tituss Burgess) and Ben (Craig Robinson),
a well-known director (Wesley Snipes),
and a local playwright (Keegan Michael-
Key), Moore sets out to film, release, and
promote a movie which he hopes will bring
him the Hollywood success he’s dreamed
about.

 

 
 

Have an idea for a story?
M arts@theotherpress.ca

Cover of 'Be Kind Rewind' by lyrical school

music in it sounds like early 1990s music.
“Love Together Rap,’ is definitely one of the
songs that anyone could sing along to, and

The film succeeds in presenting
likeable characters who share their
vulnerabilities with the audience. From
the moment Moore whole-heartedly asks
a friend a reflective question—“How'd my
life get so small?”—I found myself rooting
for his success. My favourite character
was Lady Reed (Da’Vine Joy Randolph),

a single mother Moore meets, sees a
spark of talent in, and asks to join him on
tour. She’s funny, bold, insecure at times,
and ultimately gracious. She and Moore
develop a sweet friendship.

Promotional image for 'Dolemite is My Name’

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..and more

Minan and Risano display great vocals in it.
Throughout the album, the two members
are heard more than the rest of the
members. But the rest of the members all
have moments where they are spotlighted.

Two of the hit singles in the album:
“Enough Is School,” and “Tokyo Burning,”
are songs to enjoy at night. Especially
“Tokyo Burning”—it sounds like a rainy
evening day in the city, and the music
video of the song reflects that scene also.
My favourite song and another hit single in
the album is “Last Dance.” | love it because
of its use of strings, its resemblance to
electronic 1980s music, and a catchy beat
that will make you dance to it.

The music video for “Last Dance” is
very interesting. It involves the members
recreating famous scenes from films with
practical effects including Back to the
Future: Part I, Mission: Impossible, The
Usual Suspects, and Pulp Fiction. When
you watch it, see how many references
you can recognize. There is also random
sampling in some of the songs like “Pyjama
Party. In the third verse, it cuts to music
that is entirely different—and then it goes
back to the song you can jam to.

The album ends with Risano giving
the last word. Be Kind Rewind not only
brings nostalgia of old school rap and VHS
tapes, it is also an album that you can play
at a party. Even if you are not a big fan
of rap music, the singing sections in the
songs and the orchestrations are also very
enjoyable.

The film was quite a visual spectacle—
not due to any elaborate effects or
momentous cinematography, but due to
its consistency and accuracy in portraying
the time period. Costume and set design
were executed fantastically. If you're a fan
of 70s’ fashion, this movie is a feast for the
eyes. From the city streets decorated with
vintage cars, to Moore’s aunt’s living room
with its floral curtains and floral wallpaper,
the sets were thoroughly convincing. The
colouring of the film contributed also in
giving the movie a fully retro feel.

This movie was just as funny as it
needed to be. It may not have had me in
hysterics, but that wasn’t the tone of the
film. The antics of its characters made me
chuckle here and there and at a steady
pace.

Dolemite Is My Name goes down easy.
It’s not overly complex or deep, but it’s
not trying to be—it knows what kind of
movie it is. It’s a fun, light-hearted film that
simply slips by as it transports you to the
7os. It gives you a few good laughs, some
funk tunes to tap your feet to, and a cast of
characters you'll find yourself empathizing
with. It may even inspire you to follow your
dreams, no matter how lofty or ridiculous
they seem to others.

In the real-world, Moore used his
character Dolemite mainly and simply to
leave the audience feeling good. This biopic
mirrors his goal and certainly achieves it.