Overview: In early 1980s New York City, independent filmmaker Charlie Ahearn and downtown artist Fred Brathwaite ventured uptown with the aim of capturing an exciting new underground scene that was happening in the South Bronx, a scene that featured graffiti artists, breakdancing b-boys and two turntables and a microphone.

The result was Wild Style, and to many viewers it was their first glimpse of the musical and cultural phenomenon called hip-hop.

Arrow Films is proud to present Wild Style in an exclusive new 4K restoration with hours of brand-new bonus features, vintage interviews and featurettes.

4K Blu-ray Verdict: In this unique hybrid of fiction and documentary, the story of lone graffiti artist Lee Zoro Quiñones trying to achieve success on his own terms is brought to vivid life with support by Fred Fab 5 Freddy Brathwaite, Sandra Lady Pink Fabara and Patti Astor, and with historic music performances by such luminaries as Grandmaster Flash, Busy Bee, The Fantastic Five, The Cold Crush Brothers and The Rock Steady Crew.

To create the score, Chris Stein (Blondie) would collaborate with Brathwaite to produce the actual breakbeats to be used in the film, an inspired decision that would provide a source of obsession among crate diggers for decades to come.

Endlessly sampled, imitated and debated, Wild Style is the truest portrait of the hip-hop scene during its early years, and remains one of the most important music films ever made.

No true hip-hop head should go without seeing this movie. It is the first and probably the most accurate representation of the early hip-hop scene. or the most part, it has been categorized under the genre of documentary. Although the movie has a documentary feel with footage of hip-hop heads in action, it is not a true documentary because it contains a plot line which was scripted.

The plot revolves around the character of Raymond, who is played by the legendary graf artist Lee Quinones. We see what happens to him as his art starts to receive recognition from wealthy art connoisseurs. He has many personal struggles as he deals with this new attention. But it seems that all of his problems are resolved when he is painting a mural for a large hip hop concert and realizes that his art shouldn’t always be about him.

There is plenty of footage that represents all four elements of hip hop: the MC, the DJ, the graf artist, and the B-boy. The Double Trouble scene and the basketball rapping scene were recently remade in Sprite commercials (Nas, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, etc.) to appeal to the hip hop crowd.

We also see Lee Quinones in action in several scenes as well as footage of Grandmaster Flash. My personal favorite is the footage of a young Rocksteady Crew (Crazy Legs, Prince Ken Swift, Mr. Freeze, Frosty Freeze, etc. I think they’re about 14-15?) performing at the concert at the end of the movie. And there are many other memorable scenes.

Although Wild Style is not a true documentary, I think it has preserved the true essence of hip hop during that time for younger people (such as myself) to experience. Truly a must see and a classic. [D.R.]

In conclusion, the art in Wild Style is presented to us, not by actors, but by the artists who were there when this phenomenon was emerging. The viewer comes away with a good understanding of Hip Hop’s four elements and how they define a culture. If nothing else, Wild Style serves as a great time capsule piece during Hip Hop’s infancy.

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
Perfect bound collector’s book featuring new and archival essays and articles, alongside an extensive collection of stills and artwork from the film
Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
Double-sided foldout poster featuring two original artwork options
Exclusive mini-version of the Wild Style issue of Hip-Hop Family Tree comic book by Ed Piskor
Three Wild Style logo stickers

DISC 1 - FEATURE:
Brand new 4K restoration from the original 16mm negative by Arrow Films
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
Newly restored original lossless mono audio
Optional English subtitles
Brand new audio commentary with Jeff “Chairman” Mao and Andrew “Monk One” Mason
Legacy commentary featuring director Charlie Ahearn and Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Brathwaite
Down by Law: Creating the Music of Wild Style, a brand new interview with Charlie Ahearn, Chris Stein and Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Brathwaite
Theatrical trailer
Image gallery

DISC 2 - EXTRAS:
The Origin Story, an interview with Lee Quiñones and Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Brathwaite
Studio/Benchmark, an interview with Lee Quiñones
Archive footage from Wild Style’s 1983 Japanese Tour
Two panel discussions and footage from the Wild Style 40 exhibition
ZDF TV Wild Style 30th anniversary featurette
Rammellzee in the Battle Station featurette
Featurettes from the Wild Style 20th, 25th and 30th anniversary shows Smith Projects Gym (1977)
Archival featurettes and interviews from the players and performers of Wild Style
Outtakes
Subway Rap music video
2025 Restoration and Theatrical trailers

DISC 3 - LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE CD:
Exclusive new Wild Style Megamix by Jorun Bombay
Original radio spots by Fab 5 Freddy and Queen Lisa Lee
Rare alternate mixes of Subway Rap and Wild Style Theme
Rare audio outtakes from the film and soundtrack
Rare 1983 radio interview with Charlie Ahearn

Official Purchase Link

www.arrowvideo.com