Ice-T was joined by a host of rap superstars to launch ‘Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap’ in London last night (19.07.12).
The legendary ‘Cop Killer’ hitmaker was joined by Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Wu Tang Clan’s Raekwon and Ghostface Killah and Grandmaster Melle Mel for the film’s European Premiere at Hammersmith Apollo, London.
As well as screening the film – which sees Ice discuss rapping styles and techniques with the biggest figures in hip-hop – all the stars gave a live performance.
Explaining his reasons for making the film, Ice told BANG Showbiz: "It’s not so much to show the younger generation what rap is about, it is to show them what built it.
"It’s something from nothing. I started doing this before anybody had ever bought a car through rapping. So I think if you understand where it came from and the passion it took to build this thing, then people might take it more seriously.
"A lot of kids are born and to them rap has always been here, so it’s like ‘what is it, why should I respect it’ but in the film you’ll see it took a lot of serious people to get it where it is."
Public Enemy’s Chuck D said he wants to see rappers take their art back to the people, rather than it being exploited for commercial gain.
He explained: "The definition of rap music and hip-hop has to be embedded in truth, and the truth of it is, that it comes from the people and it has to go back to the people in a beneficial way, it can’t just be defined by corporations for profits sake. So, hip hop and rap I take very seriously."
The documentary film features Eminem, Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Q-Tip and Snoop Dogg among many more stars.
‘Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap’ is in cinemas from July 20.