Search - Back Stage on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Substance Abuse Movie Release: 2000 DVD Release: 02/13/2001 Format: DVD - Pan and Scan Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 27 mins Studio: Dimension Total Copies: 1 Genres: Music, Concerts, Biography, Vocal Music

In 1998, rapper Jay-Z's third album, Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life made him one of hip-hop's biggest crossover acts, with the single "Hard Knock Life" becoming a major hit on radio and the sales charts. In 1999, Jay-Z, who also runs the hip-hop oriented Rock-A-Fella Records label, launched a major concert tour, in which he joined forces with fellow rappers Method Man, DMX, and Redman for a road trip that packed halls at 54 shows in two months, earning $18 million at the turnstiles. This documentary takes a close look at the music Jay-Z and his friends created onstage, as well as their adventures -- both positive and negative -- as they take one of rap's biggest shows on the road. Hard Knock Life Tour also features new music from The Lox, Memphis Bleek, and T-Boz from the R&B group TLC. Incidentally, if the title sounds a bit familiar to non-rap fans, it may be because it was sampled from a song featured in the musical Annie. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Jay-Z
DMX
Method Man
Redman
Beanie Sigel

Chris Fiore documents a tour featuring rappers Method Man, DMX, Jay-Z, DJ Rule, and others on this film. The disc contains a standard full-frame transfer. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1 that feels like it puts the viewer on the stage during the performances. There are no subtitles on this release, but the English soundtrack is closed captioned. Supplemental materials are limited to a theatrical trailer. The superb sound and the engaging performances make this disc perfect for any rap enthusiast. There may not be enough here to interest others. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide