Krush Groove is a 1985 Warner Bros. film, written by Ralph Farquhar and directed by Michael Schultz (who also produced the movie, along with Doug McHenry). This film is based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings and up-and-coming record producer Russell Simmons (re-named Russell Walker in the film), portrayed by Blair Underwood in his feature film debut. Russell Simmons was the film's co-producer and story consultant; he also has a cameo role in the film as a club owner named Crocket.
Movie
In the movie, Russell Walker has signed all of the hottest acts to his Krush Groove record label, including Run-D.M.C., Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, and Kurtis Blow. Rick Rubin produces their records. When Run-D.M.C. has a hit record and Russell doesn't have the money to press records, he borrows money from a street hustler. At the same time, Russell and his brother Run are both competing for the heart of R&B singer-percussionist Sheila E. Also appearing in the film are LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys, New Edition, the Fat Boys, and some of their songs, as well as others from the likes of Chaka Khan, Debbie Harry, and The Gap Band. Members of the R&B band Full Force also make a cameo in the film as bodyguards.
Krush Groove was filmed in the Bronx, New York (including at least one scene in the Marble Hill projects). Among the locations where the movie was shot was the famous Disco Fever, a popular club during the embryonic stages of hip hop that, by the time of the film, had fallen on some hard times. Disco Fever owner Sal Abbatiello expected the movie not only to turn the spotlight on the burgeoning hip-hop movement but also to "bring attention [back] to the club"[citation needed] and so agreed to have scenes shot there. Unfortunately, the attention surrounding the filming brought the scrutiny of the local authorities, who shut the club down for good on the last day of shooting for not having all the proper licenses and permits. There was also a scene shot in Shepard Hall of the historic City College of New York.
The movie was released on DVD in 2003. Among the special extras included on the DVD are commentary from Underwood, Schultz, and The Source magazine Senior Editor Brett Johnson, a theatrical trailer for the movie, and the Krush Groove All-Stars video "Krush Groovin'."
Cast
Soundtrack
Music from the Original Motion Picture Krush Groove (also called just Krush Groove Soundtrack) is a soundtrack album by various hip-hop artists, released on Warner Brothers Records in 1985. The album peaked at #79 on the Pop chart and #14 on the R&B chart. The Krush Groove soundtrack was released on Warner Bros. Records in 1985 and featured songs from the movie. Only 1,000 copies of the album were ever pressed[citation needed] on compact disc.
Track listing
- Chaka Khan—"(Krush Groove) Can't Stop The Street" (5:10)
- LL Cool J—"I Can't Live Without My Radio" (short version) (4:25)
- Kurtis Blow—"If I Ruled the World" (6:19)
- Fat Boys—"All You Can Eat" (3:27)
- Debbie Harry—"Feel the Spin" (4:01)
- Sheila E.—"Holly Rock" (4:57)
- Beastie Boys—"She's on It" (3:32)
- Gap Band—"Love Triangle" (4:47)
- Force MD's—"Tender Love" (3:55)
- Krush Groove All-Stars (Run-D.M.C., Sheila E., Kurtis Blow, Fat Boys)—"Krush Groovin'" (5:05)
Other songs appeared in the film but were not on the album soundtrack:
- Autumn - "Kold Krush"
- Run DMC - "King of Rock," "It's Like That", "Can You Rock it Like This," "You're Blind"
- Fat Boys - "Don't You Dog Me," "Fat Boys," "Pump it Up (Let's Get Funky)"
- Sheila E. - "A Love Bizarre"
- UTFO - "Pick up the Pace" (released as the b-side of "All You Can Eat" on Warner Bros. Records 28829)
- Nayobe - "Please Don't Go"
- New Edition - "My Secret"
- Chad - "I Want You to be My Girl"
Other References
This movie is referenced in the movie Dogma as being better than E.T. by Loki (Matt Damon).
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