Set It Off (Rebroadcast)

Set It Off (Rebroadcast)

Author: Hip Hop Movie Club June 5, 2024 Duration: 34:55

Today on Hip Hop Movie Club: Set It Off, the 1996 heist movie starring Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Jada Pinkett, and Kimberly Elise that was groundbreaking – in more ways than one!

Topics discussed:

  • This is Queen Latifah's first lead role, and one of the best performances of a rapper turned actor 👑
  • This film is also an ode to Black women friendship and sisterhood, with strong performances from the four leads to match 👩🏾
  • We see an early instance of an LGBTQ relationship in a major motion picture, and it's handled well without making it a clumsy plot point 🏳️‍🌈
  • The soundtrack is hip hop heavy and important to the heist sequences 🎤
  • Some of the themes (police brutality, racism, sexism, systemic oppression) are sadly still relevant, which gives the film a poignant quality 😓

Also check out:

The Film Experience: Gay Best Friend: Cleo (Queen Latifah) in "Set It Off" (1996)

Nerdist: A Brief History of Black Queer Representation in Cinema

Autostraddle: “Set It Off” Is the Queer Tribute to Black Women’s Friendship We Need After a Summer of Black Mourning

Credits

Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie. Follow @hiphopmovieclub on Instagram!

Keep up with all things Hip Hop Movie Club with our newsletter. Subscribe today!

And remember:

Don't hate...create!

Mentioned in this episode:

Set It Off Rebroadcast

Hey listener, in honor of Pride Month, here is a rebroadcast of our episode on 1996's heist film Set It Off. This film has one of the first positive depictions of an LGTBQ relationship, featuring one of our favorites, Queen Latifah. She came out herself a few years ago. Enjoy the show.


The Hip Hop Movie Club podcast is a lively conversation at the intersection of cinema and culture, hosted by three friends with deep roots in the scene. You’ll hear from JB, who brings a passion for 80s and 90s nostalgia; BooGie, a veteran DJ and graffiti artist; and DynoWright, a filmmaker and multimedia designer. Their discussions go beyond simple reviews, weaving together commentary on filmmaking, television, and the musical beats that define eras. This isn't just about what happens on screen-it's about the style, the soundtrack, and the societal echoes found in the movies they love. The podcast often ties into their real-world events, like their upcoming free screening of *Set It Off* in Bethlehem, PA, but the core of the show is the trio's authentic, knowledgeable banter. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair with friends who can dissect a film's direction one minute and the genius of its hip hop soundtrack the next. For anyone who views movies as more than just entertainment and hears the rhythm in the dialogue and editing, this podcast offers a fresh, informed perspective. It’s a natural blend of analysis and appreciation, celebrating how hip hop aesthetics and storytelling resonate through visual media.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Hip Hop Movie Club
Podcast Episodes
No dreams are too small (In the Heights) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:52
(Encore presentation) The film adaptation of In The Heights from Lin-Manuel Miranda is a joyous spectacle of singing, dancing, and asserting your dignity in small ways.Topics discussed:There are multiple elements of hip-…
The importance of breakin' in hip hop culture: The Freshest Kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:03
The Freshest Kids explores the history and evolution of b-boying, also known as breaking, from its roots in the Bronx to its international explosion. Archival footage of key figures in the b-boy scene, and many hip hop l…
Is Bomb the System a must-watch for hip hop enthusiasts? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:56
Bomb the System follows the exploits of Anthony, a.k.a. Blest, and his crew members Justin and Kevin, who live the gritty life of graffiti bombers in New York City.CreditsHip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB,…
Beat Street (encore presentation) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:48
In honor of our screening of the classic hip hop film Beat Street (in 4K!) on Wednesday June 25 at SteelStacks, here is an encore presentation of our first-ever episode of Hip Hop Movie Club. Tickets still available: Get…
How revolutionary was Hamilton? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:57
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hamilton and the upcoming 78th annual Tony Awards, here is our original 2023 episode on the film version of the beloved musical.In the 2020 film version of the Broadway musical Hami…
Is "80 Blocks from Tiffany's" essential viewing for the hip hop fan? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:12
The 1979 documentary "80 Blocks from Tiffany's" is a fascinating slice-of-life look at two South Bronx gangs, the Savage Skulls and the Savage Nomads. Although this isn't the most hip hop film we've ever discussed, there…
Rubble Kings: How the South Bronx gang scene gave birth to hip hop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
Ever wonder how hip-hop was actually born? "Rubble Kings" takes us back to the 1970s South Bronx, a neighborhood abandoned by the city and ruled by more than 100 street gangs engaged in all-out turf wars. After the shock…
Is Just Wright alright? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:27
In honor of the ongoing NBA playoffs, here's an encore presentation of our original episode on Just Wright, starring Queen Latifah and Common. Topics discussed:Queen Latifah displays why she is on our Mount Rushmore of h…
Dope (rebroadcast) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:38
In honor of BooGie's birthday on May 10, we're re-releasing our episode on DOPE, one of his personal favorites!If you're of a certain age (a.k.a. GROWN), then Rick Famuyiwa's 2015 film Dope is definitely for you. And eve…
Above the Rim (rebroadcast) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:36
In honor of the NBA playoffs, here is an encore presentation of our original episode on the 1994 classic Above the Rim, starring Tupac Shakur, Duane Martin, Marlon Wayans, and Leon.Also check out: The film's screenwriter…