American Gangster, 2007
While not a traditional Hip-Hop movie, it was a Black gangster flick about Frank Lucas showing the underbelly of street crime that is often celebrated on a high level in the culture.
Frank Lucas, to some, epitomized what Harlem hustle was and took over “the business” when Bumpy Johnson died. The hyper-fictionalized film starred a list of names that truly endeared the tale to the culture. Denzel Washington portrayed Frank Lucas, kicking off the star-studded roster. Then there was Russell Crowe, Ruby Dee, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Chiwetel Ejiofor, Roger Guenveur Smith, Joe Morton, and Idris Elba. Rap music got a lift as some of our faves hopped off the record and on the screen such as RZA, Common, and T.I. “Tip” Harris.