Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives (2015) Full Documentary

 If you've ever wanted to understand the reason for the phenomenal popularity of hip hop and rap music, then this documentary sheds light on a key element in the transition of hip hop culture from the New York underground scene to global musical powerhouse. has become. It is described primarily from the perspective of two friends, super fans and uber geeks who went on to create what Source magazine called "the best hip hop radio show of all time."

Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives (2015) Full Documentary

In the 1990s, if you were a true Hip-Hop head (or aficionado, for the uninitiated), the only way to stay on top of the action was to tune into Columbia University's radio station WKCR on 89.9 (aka 89TEC9), for the hard-to-find rap show hosted by Adrian "Stretch Armstrong" Bartos and Bobby "bobbito" Garcia on Thursday nights from 1:00-5:00.

You get the picture, it was an unconditional show by unconditional DJs for unconditional fans and young hungry artists trying to make a name for themselves. This show was religiously recorded off the air by "heads" who knew the score. Major hip-hop legends and next-generation rap stars have all listened, learned and honed their craft through the series, and this documentary does a fantastic job of unpacking a treasure trove of memories, historic encounters and forgotten but significant moments in the evolution of this art form.

The film shows just how much the show has been respected by prominent hip-hop DJs (e.g., Clark Kent and DJ Premier), as well as music company executives, PR agents, and young "dope" artists, all clamoring to "show and prove." by taking the mic to "spit" freestyle on the show. Also, because the show included all the hot artists (signed or unsigned - it didn't matter), it became a powerful source of musical discovery and organized content for fans and newbies alike. On the other hand, it also offered an unflinching look at misogynistic trends in hip-hop, with the few women who worked on the show describing their experiences and observations of the rude behavior of some artists.

Radio That Changed Lives | Stretch and Bobbito | Official Trailer

Overall, the biggest success of the series, in my opinion, was the fact that they were instrumental in breaking some of the biggest names in hip-hop. They created a roster of artists who have since sold over $300 million and counting, including Jay Z, Big L, Nas, Fugees, Wu Tang Clan, Eminem and The Notorious B.I.G. The latter was involved in a demo battle that he apparently lost to another act called Bronx Zu, however, and during a later freestyle session on the show, the 16-year-old Notorious BIG showed why he would become the legendary MC that he was. until his untimely death. Another memorable event was an epic freestyle session by Big L and Jay Z that has since gone down in the annals of New York hip-hop highlights. These and other amazing sessions were recorded by loyal chefs and some of them resurfaced in this documentary, much to the surprise of some of the stars interviewed during the filming.

Watch also: LA Originals’ 2020 Full Documentary

Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives (2015) Full Documentary

To say that the radio show only reached hip-hop super-fans would be a gross underestimation of the impact it had in general. The documentary included interviews with soldiers in Desert Storm, the homeless, prisoners in custody, graffiti artists and urban fashion designers who were all touched and influenced by the Stretch Armstrong Show. And it was called that because, as Bobbito said, "In hip hop, the DJ is the most important element," hence its title "The Stretch Armstrong Show, hosted by Bobbito."

Finally, according to the film, the show's demise coincided with the duo's move to New York's mainstream radio station Hot 97, which, in addition to a daytime slot, demanded a smoother, more polished and commercial rotation, which was not the case. appeal well to hardcore hip-hop fans. Moreover, it was during hip hop's transition to the commercially packaged product it has become today, plus the fact that many artists could now reach their audience directly on the Internet and didn't necessarily need radio as their primary springboard. into the public consciousness.

Stretch and Bobbito Radio

Although inevitable and sad, the breakup of the duo and their show did not diminish their great success, and their 2010 reunion proved to be an incredible success, paying homage to two friends who seized a moment in time and a shared passion for music to make their mark on the history of hip-hop. It was and still is, in my opinion, the best hip-hop radio show of all time, so if you love hip-hop, and I mean real hip-hop, then this is probably the best documentary on the subject.