Product Details

• Actors: Sheila E., Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, Jason Mizell, Mark Morales
• Directors: Michael Schultz
• Writers: Ralph Farquhar
• Producers: Michael Schultz, Doug McHenry, Dwight Williams, George Jackson, Lauren Jones
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: December 6, 1993
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300270920
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,041 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Like its progenitors Beat Street and Wild Style, Krush Groove is a movie about hip-hop that in its rush to document an emergent culture ignores plot, acting, cinematography, and anything else that makes a movie watchable or worthwhile. That said, Krush Groove contains some nifty performances from hip-hop legends Run-DMC, the always hilarious Fat Boys (see Disorderlies if you can't get enough of their weighty shtick), brilliant MC Kurtis Blow, and Prince protégé Sheila E. Also look out for soon-to-be L.A. Law-yer Blair Underwood in a lead role. Performances aside, Krush Groove isn't def, it's just so-so. --Ethan Brown

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So here it is, another DEF JAM, June 23, 2000

By 

supastar (brooklyn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Krush Groove [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Never mind that corny Leonard Maitlin quip. this is the story of the biggest rap label ever, told fictionally. Krush Groove is really DefJam Records, the label that would go on to host the biggest acts ever, including RunDMC, The Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, the FatBoys, Kurtis Blow (ALL FEATURED PROMINENTLY AND ACTUALLY DISPLAYING GOOD ACTING SKILLS), and later MethodMan, Redman, DMX and Public Enemy. This film has great performances, an angry Run coming on stage, positively commenting on the other performers quietly and declaring, "but this is my m.. house!" is great. Kurtis Blow does If I ruled the World, the FatBoys do their thing, etc. But in terms of seriousness and social blah blah, watching this movie, seeing the way Russel came up, and looking now at what he's become, is just amazing. They got Blair Underwood to play Russel Simmons, and he does a great job. This movie should, though it probably wont, go down as one of the best accounts of the achievement of the American Dream, through dangerous dealings and dreaming, all types of adversity and successes, in a music that was emerging. The movie was made in 85, and it takes place pretty much exactly as it was being made, with complete faith in its premise, its music, and its eventual success. That's quite amazing because you can now look at it as a historical testament, no exxageration, to one of the biggest cultural movements this nation has ever had. Hip hop heads, we'll go down like the gnostics, amazing innovators and proponents of culture, suppressed by the ignorant and the power-hungry. You'll show this movie to your kids one day.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Krush Groove is an interactive experience of Joy!, February 10, 2000

By 

Amy (Columbus, Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Krush Groove [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie is so cute, so happy, so silly, so fun. It has become a member of my family. The music is good, the characters are hilarious, and you can pick out bits of truth and history if you look. You can also play "Where's LL?". He is scattered a few places in the movie. And you get to see the real Russell Simmons talking to the character based on Russell Simmons, played by Blair Underwood. MTV had a hip hop day a couple of years ago, and they featured Krush Groove, hosted by Fab 5 Freddy. (You can also see F5F in the beautiful, classic, solid Wild Style.) The only advisory is to erase or fast-forward through the scene in which the Fat Boys (the Disko 3) are in their science class, right before they get into "Don't you dog me.... Aaarh aaarh, aaarh aaarh....". The classroom part contains an unnecessary dissection scene. Watch it and you'll see what I mean. Enjoy this movie, and by all means --- keep the spirit of Krush Groove alive! Word. :)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hip-Hop Cult Classic Film! Recommended!, March 31, 2008

By 

Hype Currie "scholar of pop culture" (Detroit, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Krush Groove (DVD)

Krush Groove (1985)
General Plot: An indie rap label tries to get off the ground.
Let's face it. Films like this you don't really watch for the plot. It's all about the music, baby! This film has lots of it, from various Reagan-era hip-hop and contemporary R&B personalities, all delivering first-rate performances. Hip-hop was just beginning to be exposed to mainstream America (and the world!), and "Krush Groove" was a major part of it. in retrospect, some may look at it as "hip-hop-exploitation", but for what it's worth, films like "Ferris Bueller", "Pretty in Pink" and "The Breakfast Club" didn't speak to urban kids at all... But Krush Groove did!

Featured Players:

Rappers who play themselves: Run DMC (Darryl McDaniels, Joey Simmons, Jason Mizell); The Fat Boys; Kurtis Blow. The movie studio insisted on pop-star appeal, so Sheila E was brought in. This was Sheila E's first, and apparently last, starring role in a movie.
L.A. Law's Blair Underwood plays Russell. The real-life Russell Simmons has a bit part as a concert promoter in the film.
Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin plays himself. The real-life Def Jam was also started out of his dorm room at NYU.
Cameos:
Daniel Simmons, father of Russell and Joey (Run), plays the church deacon.
In the club talent show, performances from the Beastie Boys and New Edition (including Bobby Brown. He's at the far left during their bit).
"The Disco Fever", used for most of the club scenes, was shut down a few years later.
80's R&B group Full Force play thug enforcers in the flick. They would also go on to play bullies in the first two House Party films.
LL Cool J plays the kid who crashes the dorm room for an audition. Also, see if you can spot him pushing a cart at a concert scene. He also appears in the closing scenes.
Charles Stettler, who plays the boss of 'Galaxy Records' was the real-life manager of the Fat Boys, and allegedly gave them their name after they ran up a $300 room service bill at a hotel during their first concert tour (their previous name was the Disco Three).
Other Trivia:
Sheila E's pal/mentor/partner Prince visited the set during filming and co-wrote & produced 'Love Bizarre'
The director, Michael Schultz, also directed the 70's comedy Car Wash, which featured Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Danny DeVito. Notice the tribute scene.
The Fat Boys were discovered at a talent show in real life. First prize was a record deal, but the guys really wanted the 2nd place stereo.
Look closely at the Fever club scenes, you may spot a jheri-curled Chris Rock as an extra.
Surprisingly, the film was rated R when it was released.