ATTENTION:   FOR REAL HIP-HOP HEADS ONLY!!!

This is the Life is a documentary film spotlighting the rarely seen but electrifying, underground music scene of Los Angeles, California.  It focuses on the movement in California in the 1990's called The Good Life.  This movement was a far cry from the rap music most hip-hop listeners associate with the West Coast.  Rather than spit rhymes laced with 187’s, smoking chronic, and sexual innuendos; the artists at The Good Life Café performed positive, conscious rap music for the crowd.  Boasting infamous, underground groups such as the Jurassic 5, The Freestyle Fellowship (Myka Nyne), and Volume 10, this re-occurring freestyle fest brought out industry record execs and established rap artists from all over the U.S.  And quiet as kept, some famous industry artists were accused of biting the style of some of these underground West Coast MC’s.  You’ll have to watch the documentary and make that decision yourself.

Many of the artists that flowed up on the Good Life Café stage received record deals.  And while many of their albums went gold and they toured the world with their music -- few, if any, ever reached the heights of fame as their East Coast counterparts with the same style.  However, you can catch many of these artists still rockin’ the stage today.  And it’s evident that no matter if they are flowin’ on a stage in the U.S. or overseas, they do it for the LOVE.

Best part:  The interviews in this documentary are upfront and candid.  The historical, live footage of the MC’s makes you feel like you were right there in the crowd.

Quote:  “A lot of people’s styles were born at the Good Life.”

How to see:  Showtime networks or order on DVD