Beat Street is a 1984 drama directed by Stan Lathan and written by Andy Davis, David Gilbert, and Paul Golding. The film follows the story of Kenny Kirkland, a talented young DJ and his crew, as they try to make their way in the hip-hop world of the South Bronx in the early 1980s.
Kenny lives with his younger brother Lee, who is an aspiring artist, and their mother. Kenny is frustrated with his job as a supermarket clerk and dreams of becoming a famous DJ. His best friend, Ramon, has a good ear for music and works as a promoter.
One day, Kenny meets a young dance student named Tracy, who is also passionate about hip-hop. They start a relationship, but it is complicated by the fact that Tracy's father disapproves of her dancing and her association with the street culture.
As Kenny and Ramon try to break into the music industry, they face challenges with rival disc jockeys and the local gang leader, who wants to control the music scene. In the end, Kenny and his crew are given the chance to perform at a big event, where they showcase their skills and get an opportunity to sign a record deal.
The movie features some of the biggest names in hip-hop at the time, including Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Melle Mel, and Doug E. Fresh. It is also famous for its iconic soundtrack, which features songs by artists like The Rock Steady Crew, Kool Moe Dee, and Arthur Baker.
Beat Street was a critical and commercial success and is considered a classic of the hip-hop genre. It was one of the first films to focus on the early days of hip-hop culture, and it helped to popularize the genre globally.