It Was All A Dream: A Visual Memoir of Hip-Hop’s Golden Era

The dawn of hip-hop’s golden era, captured in dream hampton’s visual memoir

For fans of hip-hop, dream hampton’s It Was All A Dream is a treasure trove of archival footage, capturing the essence of the genre’s golden era. The film is a visual memoir, composed entirely of footage shot by hampton when she was an NYU film student. This is not just a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but a thoughtful examination of the era’s legacy.

“Let the boys be boys” - Onyx, “Slam”

The film takes us on a journey through the early ’90s, featuring beloved artists of the time, including Ice-T, Q-Tip, and Guru. But It Was All A Dream is more than just a celebration of hip-hop’s golden era. It’s a nuanced exploration of the genre’s complexities, tackling issues like misogyny and criminality head-on.

Hip-hop legends, captured in their early days

hampton’s narration, drawn from her writing as a journalist in the ’90s, adds depth and context to the archival footage. The film is a love letter to hip-hop, but not a blind one. hampton examines the genre’s flaws, questioning the status quo and seeking accountability from its artists.

The film’s honesty is refreshing, and its complexity is a testament to hampton’s skill as a journalist and filmmaker. It Was All A Dream is a must-see for fans of hip-hop, and a powerful exploration of the genre’s legacy.

The future of hip-hop, in capable hands

With It Was All A Dream, hampton sets out to show that hip-hop’s golden era was not just a bygone age, but a foundation for the genre’s future. The film is a call to action, urging fans and artists to acknowledge the genre’s flaws and work towards a better future.

It Was All A Dream celebrated its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in the Spotlight Documentary section. Learn more about the film here.