Scratch Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme

Impovisation and creativity reign in these studies of hip-hop DJs' record scratching and underground freestyle rap.

Second feature start time: 8:55 pm. Directed by Hype!'s Doug Pray, Scratch examines hip-hop DJs' practice of scratching vinyl records to create distinctive rhythms and sounds. Featuring Grandmixer DXT, Africa Bambaataa, and the Beastie Boys' Mixmaster Mike, Scratch "is as arresting to watch as it is to listen to" (Austin Chronicle). (Doug Pray, 2001; 92 mins.)

Chronicling the story of underground hip-hop from the early 1980s to the present, Freestyle explores the world of improvisational rap—a rarely recorded art form of spontaneous rhyming. With Supernatural, Craig G, Mos Def, and more. (Kevin Fitzgerald, 2000; 76 mins.)

Also on the bill is Language of the Streets, from the new Youth Division of the Wexner Center's Ohio Short Film/Video Showcase. It explores the effects of hip-hop and hip-hop culture on the attitudes and perceptions of Dayton area high school students. (David Knight and Terry Martin, 2003; 8 mins.)