On this day in Hip Hop film history, one of the most popular rap movies of the 1980’s, Krush Groove, was released in theaters. Produced by Michael Schultz and Russell Simmons, the film chronicled the life and times of Russell Walker (the fictional representation of Russell Simmons) as he is working to build his powerhouse record label, Krush Grove.
Although billed as purely a work of fiction, this film is the closest the world has gotten to seeing a Def Jam biopic. The film’s plot is very true to life with only minor details and the last name of the label’s patriarch changed to keep things theatrical.
In the film, Russell Walker, played by award-winning Blair Underwood, has to borrow money from a street thug in order to press his newest signee, Run-DMC‘s, new hit single all while competing with his brother, Run, for the heart of the beautiful Sheila E. The film features cameos from Kurtis Blow, The Fat Boyz, New Edition, and Rick Rubin.
The day before the films release its soundtrack, featuring singles from the films stars as well as Debbie Harry, the Beastie Boys, Gap Band, Chaka Khan, and more, was released. The album peaked at #79 on the Pop charts and #14 on the R&B chart. Although it sold volumes of copies on vinyl, only 1,000 copies were pressed on CD making it one of the rarest physical soundtracks of all time.
