And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

1987

Hollywood Shuffle is the anti-Blaxploitation film. The Blaxploitation genre had a tremendous impact on culture, but in trying to break stereotypes and diversify the images of Black people in film, the films still were very stereotypical. Hollywood Shuffle is a satiric look at African American actors in Hollywood. It’s the story of an actor limited to stereotypical roles (ie pimp, hustler, slave, mandingo, etc) because of his ethnicity, who dreams of making it big as an esteemed actor.

With it being *shudders* Black History Month, Starr takes the time out to dedicate a post to one of the GOATs. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

As influential as Curtis Mayfield still is today, he never enjoyed the same success in the 60s and 70s as his Motown counterparts. Luckily for him, he wasn’t just a singer, but also a an excellent guitarist and songwriter who penned hits for the likes if Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Staple Singers and Aretha Franklin. He had a hand in shaping the sound of three Blaxploitation soundtracks including Superfly, Sparkle, and Claudine.

With it being *shudders* Black History Month, Starr takes the time out to dedicate a post to one of the GOATs. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

It’s Black History Month so I decided to be cliche and jump off the icons edition of Blaxploitation Friday. Today’s solute goes to Gordon Parks–photographer, journalist, author, director, visionary.

This is actually one of my favorite ever. I mean, just look at the poster’s tagline and tell me you wasn’t in for some grade-a fuckery. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

Even though the blaxploitation genre was primarily a 70s thing, there were some flicks that slipped through the cracks and made it to the later years. So, in the spirit of all re-makes, I bring you…

Alongside movies, blaxploitation also hit the television as well. Here is one such breakthrough. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

TV Series (1974-1975)

Get Christie Love was a groundbreaking TV series starring Teresa Graves as a fearless police woman, airing on ABC. It was groundbreaking for obvious reasons. This was the first time an African American woman was the sole star of a TV series and it was the only successful TV series spawned by the blaxploitation genre. Teresa Graves was originally a part of the cast of the comedy sketch series, Laugh-In (pre-SNL) but amid skepticism, made a wonderful transition from comedy to drama. The widely popular, 60 minute show ran for a year. Graves was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best TV Actress in a Drama (1975) and won a TP de Oro (Spain 1977) award for Best Foreign Actress.

With Halloween about to jump off tonight, Starr dedicates this Blaxploitation to one of the more popular rehases of all time. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

I was doing the “Blaxploitation Horror Edition” until I broke when Rudy Ray Moore aka DOLEMITE passed away. So, since I deviated and it’s Halloween, I’m going to close out the horror series with a double feature (there are more horror blaxploitation flicks but I’m ending the consecutive series).

CONTINUE READING

In case you didn’t know, we lost another  influential comedian in Dolemite himself, so Starr is giving him a proper send off. And as always,  And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

(1975)

I’m taking a brief break from “Malik 16 Week” and the “Blaxploitation Friday” horror edition to feature Dolemite, in honor of stand up comedy legend Rudy Ray Moore, who died on Oct 17 due to complications from diabetes. Rest in peace.

Quick hip-hop trivia: Hell Up In Harlem was supposed to be the original title of what eventually became No Way Out. Also, some of the more prominent hip-hop samples were found on the movie’s soundtrack. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

1973

Starring: Fred Williamson (a major star in the blaxploitation genre).

Synopsis: This sequel to Black Caesar begins with a badly wounded Tommy Gibbs–Harlem Mob boss–coming to after surviving an assassination attempt orchestrated by a corrupt district attorney. As Tommy tries to rebuild his empire, he’s plagued by the murders of his father and estranged ex-wife. Thus, going on a rampage of vengeance–creating “hell up in Harlem.”

You already knew this was coming. And the moral undertones of this flick has been deeply embedded into hip-hop culture; without this flick things like Scarface and Only Built For Cuban Linx… may have never existed. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

Synopsis:
Superfly is the story of Priest (Ron O’Neal–R.I.P.), a cocaine dealer realizing that his life will soon end with either prison or death. He hatches an exit strategy from “the life” which includes his biggest deal ever–making his last big score by obtaining 30 kilos. He goes on a hunt for major keys but his superiors in the mob find out his intentions and want in on the cash. Will he dodge their bullets or break free for good?

This was supposed to go up Friday, but for reasons unknown (fuck Atlantic Records) it wasn’t. Anyways, if you don’t have this movie in your collection I highly suggest you take two of deez and go play in traffic. This movie is filled with more quotables than a Big L notebook, and is one of my personal favorites. And as always, if you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…

Starring: Keenen Ivory Wayans, Antonio Fargas, Jim Brown, Bernie Casey and Isaac Hayes. (Note: These guys were popular blaxploitation era actors).

Synopsis: Jack Spade (played by Wayans) returns from the army to his old ghetto neighborhood after his brother, Junebug, dies. Jack then declares war on those responsible leading him on a blundering trail of violence to Mr. Big, a powerful local crimelord (aka The Man). His army is led by John Slade, his childhood idol who used to fight bad guys in the 70s.