From Snoop Dogg to 2Pac to Travis Scott, hip-hop has been at the forefront of media and topping the music charts for years. This genre has a long, rich history with so many artists emerging from the rap scene with stories to tell. Documentaries and films are a great way to get information about the evolution of hip-hop and its effect on the music industry and popular culture. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of 7 hip-hop related films and shows you need to stream right now.
 For Colored Boys 

 
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“For Colored Boys” follows Benjamin, a former prisoner returning home after 9 years of incarceration. He faces a hard journey trying to repair his broken relationship with his son and finding out there is a new man who took his place in the household. His return isn’t only difficult for him, but for all of his family members who have made changes in their lives since he left. This series highlights some of the difficulties former prisoners face trying to reunite with their family and begin life again, a very real reality for the nearly 2.3 million people behind bars today.   (Watch Now on Vyre)
 Beats

 
Beats - A Netflix Film | Official Trailer
This Netflix Original film is set in Chicago’s South Side and shows the journey of August Monroe, a traumatized teenager who makes it big in music with the help of an unlikely mentor. When August stops showing up to class, Romelo, the school’s security guard, shows up to his house and hears beats coming out of the room. Little did he know Romelo was a former music producer. August just saw music as his muse to cope with anxiety and PTSD from his sister’s death, but Romelo saw real talent. The two start to work together while simultaneously using each other for their own agendas. 
“Beats” shows the harsh effects of gang violence and mental illness, and how August was able to overcome it with music. This film addresses the realities of Chicago's troubled South Side and tells a story to show light at the end of the tunnel despite the harsh realities.   (Watch Now on Netflix)
 Q.U.E.E.N 
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“Q.U.E.E.N” tells the story of Imani, a teenage girl who uses her writing skills to cope with a troubled past. She enters a rap battle and is finally able to reclaim her past and say everything she had never been able to say, especially to her mother. Freestyle rap has a long history and this short film shows the power held in the rawness of the lyrics. 
Vyre Network gives viewers the opportunity to get a unique look at some of the issues women face in today’s world, but often don’t talk about. Within the various content playlists important topics are brought to attention, such as discrimination, rape, human trafficking, domestic violence and many more.   (Watch Now on Vyre)
 Rapture

 
RAPTURE Trailer | Hip Hop Documentary
This Netflix Original Documentary shares the life stories of some of the most groundbreaking artists in hip-hop today. Featuring big names like G-Eazy, 2 Chainz, T.I., Nas, Logic and Dave East, this series gives viewers the inside peak at the lives of artists, their families and their friends. Each episode focuses on one of the rappers and shows their journey from the studio to going on tour. They talk about their inspiration behind the lyrics and what motivates them to speak out about their experiences. Each origin story is a real testament to what makes their music stand out. The docu-series is made from six different directors, giving it a real deep dive and unique take on each artist.   (Watch Now on Netflix)
 The Flea

 
The Flea - Trailer (TRUE Magazine TV/Vyre Network)
“The Flea” is a comedy film set in an indoor flea market. Assistant manager Quentin Parker goes through what he thinks is his last day of dealing with customers, difficult vendors and an unappreciative boss. Fed up with the ups and downs of his workday, Quentin plans to ask to be transferred to another job. Somewhere throughout the day he realizes the power he has to make the flea market a better place and stands up to Black, the flea market bully. Not knowing his boss was watching, Quentin fought for the market and is offered a better position to continue his work. The film touches on issues such as discrimination, drugs and gang violence in an entertaining, digestible way for all viewers.   (Watch Now on Vyre)
 Underdogs 

 
Underdogs – Film Trailer
French filmmaker Teo Frank was only 18 when he met Mason Strehl at a gas station in Alaska. Strehl was working as an online manager for East Coast underground hip-hop artists, who he had never met face-to-face. This lucky encounter landed Frank in New York with the opportunity to produce his original project. “Underdogs” shows his story meeting those artists for the first time and discovering that he had a lot to learn about hip-hop culture. Awon, Dephlow, Tiff the Gift and Phoniks show him the hustle and importance of underground rap that most people never see. “Underdogs” has won many awards, including Best Music Documentary at the Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival in 2018 and the New York Hip Hop Film Festival in 2019.   (Watch Now on Netflix)
 Wu-Tang: An American Saga

 
Wu-Tang: An American Saga - Trailer (Official) • Hulu 
 
“Wu-Tang: An American Saga” is a Hulu Original based on the true story of the Wu-Tang Clan. The film is set in New York at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic in the 90’s. Bobby Diggs aka The RZA, uses rap to try and find success despite his brother's life path of drugs and crime. He brings together twelve men from different hoods who are struggling with the same battle between music and crime. Their individual life struggles occasionally make them want to give up the dream, but they become an unlikely American success story. The Wu-Tang Clan is one of the most influential groups in the history of hip-hop, with four gold and platinum studio albums.   (Watch Now on Hulu)