Words by Shanice Stephanie
“HOW DID YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH HIP HOP?”
Common: “I met this girl when I was 10 years old, and what I loved most she had so much soul. She was old school when I was just a Shorty; never knew throughout my life she would be there for me. On the regular, not a church girl, she was secular. Not about the money, those studs was mic- checkin’ her. But I respected her; she hit me in the heart. A few New York n****s had did her in the park. But she was there for me, and I was there for her; pull out a chair for her, turn on the air for her… And just cool out, cool out, and listen to her”
IT’S BROWN SUGAR BABE! She was the editor of an important music magazine, he produced Hip-Hop for a major label. Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) have been best friends since childhood, nothing more nothing less. As they both approached 30, Dre became torn and confused; not knowing which direction his career was headed all while working for a label that began compromising its standards as it grew more successful. Sidney on the other hand had an editorial career that was booming but lacked the time to engage in the one thing she had not been able to be successful at; Romance. In this film you see two people making an attempt to balance their personal and professional lives all while fighting the love that they have for one another. Sidney and Dre both attributed their friendship and launch of their careers to a childhood moment they both shared; the day they discovered Hip-Hop on a New York street corner. In the end, Sidney calls off the wedding with athlete Kelby Dawson (Boris Kodjoe) realizing that he was just a rebound and Dre also ended his engagement with Reese (Nicole Ari Parker), turned down the “opportunity” to work with “Rin and Tin” “The Hip Hop Dalmatians” and began his own independent label with his first artist; taxi driver Chris V (Most Def). “You are the perfect verse over a tight beat; ”Looks like Hip Hop wasn’t the only thing that brought them back to that moment.
Brown Sugar was released 15 years ago today (October 11th, 2002).
“The Rhythm… the Beat… the Love and You don’t stop! Happy Release Day
