DESCRIPTION Blurring the lines between fiction and documentary, the seminal film Wild Style, directed by Charlie Ahearn and developed alongside Fred Braithwaite aka Fab Five Freddy, offered an iconic snapshot of the emerging New York hip hop scene in the early ‘80s. Considered one of the first hip hop films, it documents the styles, culture, attitudes, and most importantly, the music of this evolving era. The accompanying soundtrack remains one of the most influential in hip hop history, featuring a who’s who of artists who stood out during the movement’s nascent block party days.“Making hip hop’s first and most beloved feature film, Wild Style, with Charlie Ahearn and creating the original music is one of my proudest accomplishments.” - Fab 5 FreddyIn celebration of Arrow Films restoring the original Wild Style film in 4K, Mr Bongo is proud to present this special-edition reissue package. The release comes as a double LP pressed on transparent blue and orange vinyl, offering a freshly curated tracklist that brings together the finest songs from previous editions, the full sought-after instrumental album, and Kenny Dope’s top edits. Also included are an A2 colour poster, five film set photos, a flexi disc containing Fantastic Freaks Live at the Dixie, and a Wild Style sticker sheet.Originally released on Animal Records, founded by Chris Stein of Blondie fame, the soundtrack focuses on the hip hop scene as it evolved from the streets to the recording studio. Co-produced by Stein and Braithwaite, it features the Double Trouble pairing of Rodney Cee and KK Rockwell, The Chief Rocker himself Busy Bee, and the mighty line-ups of both The Cold Crush Brothers and The Fantastic Freaks, to name but a few. The music offers a transportive glimpse into the streets of the South Bronx, capturing the free-form, roaming nature of the film - it’s rough around the edges, but utterly absorbing.Behind those foundational voices of hip hop’s first wave was a selection of backing beats that have underpinned and influenced the genre ever since. Easily mistaken for lifted breakbeats from old records, the songs on the Wild Style soundtrack are all unique creations. Overseen by Braithwaite and Stein, with Stein also on guitar and effects, they were intended as a homage to those early breakbeats. Drummer Lenny “Ferrari” Ferraro, who played for Aretha Franklin before emerging on the punk scene, and bassist David Harper laid down many of the iconic grooves, two somewhat forgotten participants in shaping a legendary sound.Over time, the Wild Style soundtrack, with its Charlie Chase and Grand Wizard Theodore scratches, recurring sounds and motifs, and indelible lyrics, has become a hip hop touchstone: endlessly sampled and referenced, the bedrock of so much music to follow. It perfectly encapsulated the essence of the film, the scene, and hip hop’s emergence from the Bronx to the attention of the wider world. It was, and remains, the blueprint. TRACKLIST VINYL:Side AGrand Wizard Theodore and D.J. Kevie Kev Rockwell - Military Cut (Scratch Mix)The Chief Rocker Busy Bee vs Lil Rodney Cee & D.J. Grand Wizard Theodore - M.C. BattleThe Cold Crush Bros. vs The Fantastic Freaks - Basketball ThrowdownKevie Kev (Waterbed Kev), Master Rob, Prince Whipper Whip, M.C., Rubie Dee, Dota Rock, D.J. Grand Wizard Theodore, D.J. Kevie Kev Rockwell - Fantastic Freaks At The DixieD.J. Grand Wizard Theodore - Subway ThemeGrand Master Caz, JDL, Easy AD, KG , and D.J. Charlie Chase, D.J. Toney Tone - Cold Crush Bros. At The DixieSide BRodney Cee, K. K. Rockwell, D.J. Stevie Steve - Double Trouble At The AmphitheaterGrandmaster Caz - South Bronx Subway RapBusy Bee - Street Rap (Subway Mix)Busy Bee - Busy Bee At The AmphitheaterFantastic Freaks - Fantastic Freaks At The AmphitheaterD.J. Grand Wizard Theodore - GangbustersRammellzee and Shock Dell With The Grand Mixer DST - Rammellzee & Shockdell At The AmphitheaterFab 5 Freddy - Down By LawSide CFab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - B Boy Beat (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Yawning Beat (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Crime Cut (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Gangbusters (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Cuckoo Clocking (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Meetings (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Military Cut (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Razor Cut (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Subway Theme (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Busy Bees (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Down By Law (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Baby Beat (Instrumental)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Jungle Beat (Instrumental)Side DKev Luckhurst - Wildstyle Scratch ToolFab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Baby Beat (Kenny Dope Edit)Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Braithwaite) - Jungle Beat (Kenny Dope Edit)FLEXI DISC:Fantastic Freaks - Fantastic Freaks Live At The Dixie
