History Film / BigFunInTheBigTown

''Big Fun In The Big Town'' is a 1986 TV documentary made by the Dutch production company ''VPRO'' for Dutch television, directed by Bram van Splunteren and hosted by Belgian TV presenter Marcel Vanthilt, who would later become world famous as a veejay for Creator/{{MTV}}. It talks about HipHop at a time when the genre was finally breaking through to the mainstream with the success of the single "Walk This Way" from ''Music/RaisingHell'' by Music/RunDMC. Many famous hip hop artists of the ''old school'' hiphop era are interviewed, including Music/GrandmasterFlashAndTheFuriousFive, Music/RunDMC, Music/DougEFresh and the inspirational pioneers Music/TheLastPoets. The crew also talks with several hiphop artists who at that time were still unknown, but would gain more fame later, like Music/LLCoolJ, Roxanne Shante, Music/BizMarkie, MC Shan, Russell Simmons, Mr. Magic and Music/SchoollyD. It provides a lot of RetroactiveRecognition when watched today.

At the time of its broadcast, November 30, 1986, "Big Fun In The Big Town" got a enthusiastic reception by Dutch and Flemish viewers. [[ShortLivedBigImpact Despite being only 40 minutes long the documentary is credited with singlehandedly popularizing hiphop in the Netherlands]] and many Dutch hiphop acts still refer to it as their main inspiration. For instance, quotes from Music/SchoollyD in this documentary are heard during the track "De Wet van T.O.K.I.O" on the Dutch band Osdorp Posse's album "Harde Kernramp" (2000). "Big Fun In The Big Town" was shared on VHS tapes for decades until it finally got a proper DVD release in 2012. Strange enough this also marked [[NoExportForYou the first time this documentary was made available to other people in the world]]. Magazine/RollingStone, USA Today, The New York Times and The Guardian all gave it praising reviews, the latter even listing it at #10 in their list of the ten best music documentaries of all time.

Apart from interviewing a veritable "who is who" in early hiphop "Big Fun In The Big Town" also features a lot of footage of rap acts recording in the studio or performing on stage or even in the streets, with a memorable bit where Doug E. Fresh beatboxes in front of the camera. Seeing that hiphop would finally reach a global audience and crossover to the white suburban market soon afterwards the episode is quite an interesting UnintentionalPeriodPiece and sometimes HilariousInHindsight for that matter. In a case of WhatCouldHaveBeen Music/BeastieBoys were also considered for an interview, but despite the crew talking to them at the phone, they had a too busy schedule and thus weren't included.

'''Big Fun In The Big Town''' is a 1986 TV documentary made by the Dutch production company ''VPRO'' for Dutch television, directed by Bram van Splunteren and hosted by Belgian TV presenter Marcel Vanthilt, who would later become world famous as a veejay for Creator/{{MTV}}. It talks about HipHop at a time when the genre was finally breaking through to the mainstream with the success of the single "Walk This Way" from ''Music/RaisingHell'' by Music/RunDMC. Many famous hip hop artists of the ''old school'' hiphop era are interviewed, including Music/GrandmasterFlashAndTheFuriousFive, Music/RunDMC, Music/DougEFresh and the inspirational pioneers Music/TheLastPoets. The crew also talks with several hiphop artists who at that time were still unknown, but would gain more fame later, like Music/LLCoolJ, Roxanne Shante, Music/BizMarkie, MC Shan, Russell Simmons, Mr. Magic and Music/SchoollyD. It provides a lot of RetroactiveRecognition when watched today.

* UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfHiphop: This movie is a nostalgic trip to the time of old school hiphop, with many pioneers being interviewed. At the time of recording the music was still mostly underground, with only a few acts starting to making it big. Many people, and not only in the USA, weren't sure whether the genre was just a passing fad or if it had staying power? By the time the episode got on the air "Walk This Way" by Music/RunDMC was a huge hit and HipHop finally caught on worldwide, even with people who weren't black.

* TheGoldenAgeOfHiphop: This movie is a nostalgic trip to the time of old school hiphop, with many pioneers being interviewed. At the time of recording the music was still mostly underground, with only a few acts starting to making it big. Many people, and not only in the USA, weren't sure whether the genre was just a passing fad or if it had staying power? By the time the episode got on the air "Walk This Way" by Music/RunDMC was a huge hit and HipHop finally caught on worldwide, even with people who weren't black.

* DocumentaryOfLies: The scene where the crew rings the doorbell to meet Music/LlCoolJ and meets his grandmother was done again for the camera. The first time they rang they were surprised that an old lady opened the door, because they didn't know the 17 year old rapper still lived at his grandmother's place. They felt they should capture this moment, so they restaged it, this time with the camera rolling.

* TimeMarchesOn: It goes without saying this docu is a capsule of an era now long gone. Jam Master Jay and Mr. Magic are interviewed here, but passed away in the 2000s. Def Jam's office is still a tiny building. Many hiphop musicians who would later become big names are still approachable in the street for an interview. It's also amusing to hear several people talk how hiphop may one day become accepted by the mainstream, but at the same fear it may get too commercialized. We also hear Vanthilt [[ViewersAreMorons explain many things to Dutch viewers]] that nowadays are well known, like crack cocain, for instance.

* OneSceneWonder: The scene where The Mystery Crew is interviewed in front of Def Jam's office. The duo gives a demonstration of their rapping skills and express their hope of one day making it big. But despite doing an impressive set they never got a recording contract.

Interestingly enough ''Big Fun In The Big Town'' was one of two documentaries about popular music, shot on location in the USA. The production company actually had more interest in the director's documentary about Music/IggyPop, who was already a huge star worldwide. Seeing that the footage with and about Iggy was shot and canned quick, easily and efficient director Van Splunteren decided to use the remaining time in the USA to shoot more footage and interviews about the local hiphop scene, a genre that was dear to him but hadn't quite caught on in his home country. Ironically enough the hiphop documentary would become a CultClassic in the Netherlands, while the Iggy Pop contribution was met with a lacklustre reception and is nowadays completely forgotten.

* BigFun: Literally in the title.
* BiggerIsBetter: The title promises "big fun" in the "big town".

* TheGoldenAgeOfHiphop: This entire movie is a nostalgic trip to the time of old school hiphop, with many pioneers being interviewed. At the time of recording the music was still mostly underground, with only a few acts starting to making it big. Many people and not only in the USA weren't sure whether the genre was just a passing fad or if it had staying power. By the time the episode got on the air "Walk This Way" by Music/RunDMC was a huge hit and HipHop finally caught on worldwide, even with people who weren't black.

* ItWillNeverCatchOn: Frequently discussed by many interviewees who believe that hiphop will one day be accepted by the mainstream.

* TimeMarchesOn: It goes without saying this docu is a capsule of an era now long gone. Jam Master Jay and Mr. Magic are interviewed here, but passed away in the 2000s. Def Jam's office is still a tiny building. Many hiphop musicians who would later become big names are still approachable in the street for an interview. It's also amusing to hear several people talk how hiphop may one day become accepted by the mainstream, but at the same fear it may get too commercialized. We also hear Vanthilt explain many things to Dutch viewers that nowadays are well known, like crack cocain, for instance.

An interesting piece of trivia: this was only one of several documentaries made about popular music, shot on location in the USA. The production company actually had more interest in their docu about Music/IggyPop, who was already a huge star worldwide. Seeing that their interview with Iggy was canned quick and efficient director Van Splunteren decided to use the remaining time in the USA to focus on a genre that was dear to him but hadn't quite caught on in his home country. Ironically the hiphop documentary would become a CultClassic, while the Iggy Pop documentary was met with a lacklustre reception and has nowadays been forgotten.

Apart from interviewing a veritable "who is who" in early hiphop "Big Fun In The Big Town" also features a lot of footage of rap acts recording in the studio or performing on stage or even in the streets, with a memorable bit where Doug E. Fresh beatboxes in front of the camera. Seeing that hiphop would finally reach a global audience and crossover to the white suburban market soon afterwards the episode is quite an interesting UnintentionalPeriodPiece. In a case of WhatCouldHaveBeen Music/BeastieBoys were also considered for an interview, but despite the crew talking to them at the phone, they had a too busy schedule and thus weren't included.

At the time of its broadcast, November 30, 1986, "Big Fun In The Big Town" got a enthusiastic reception by Dutch and Flemish viewers. The documentary is credited with singlehandedly popularizing hiphop in the Netherlands and many Dutch hiphop acts still refer to it as their main inspiration. For instance, quotes from Music/SchoollyD in this documentary are heard during the track "De Wet van T.O.K.I.O" on the Dutch band Osdorp Posse's album "Harde Kernramp" (2000). "Big Fun In The Big Town" was shared on VHS tapes for decades until it finally got a proper DVD release in 2012. Strange enough this also marked [[NoExportForYou the first time this documentary was made available to other people in the world]]. Magazine/RollingStone, USA Today, The New York Times and The Guardian all gave it praising reviews, the latter even listing it at #10 in their list of the ten best music documentaries of all time.

'''Big Fun In The Big Town''' is a 1986 TV documentary made by the Dutch production company ''VPRO'' for Dutch television, directed by Bram van Splunteren and hosted by Belgian TV presenter Marcel Vanthilt, who would later become world famous as a veejay for Creator/{{MTV}}. It talks about HipHop at a time when the genre was finally breaking through to the mainstream with the success of the single "Walk This Way" from ''Music/RaisingHell'' by Music/RunDMC. Many famous hip hop artists of the ''old school'' hiphop era are interviewed, including Music/GrandmasterFlashAndTheFuriousFive, Music/RunDMC, Music/DougEFresh and the inspirational pioneers Music/TheLastPoets. The crew also talks with several hiphop artists who at that time were still unknown, but would gain more fame later, like Music/LLCoolJ, Roxanne Shante, Music/BizMarkie, MC Shan, Russell Simmons, Mr. Magic and Music/SchoollyD.

* BoastfulRap: Several rap artists talk proudly about their skills and achievements.