In this episode Vine’s Cee Allah Rule talks ROC-A-FELLA. “Streets Is Watching"is a groundbreaking film starring JAY-Z, released in 1998. Directed by Abdul Malik Abbott, the movie provided an intimate and authentic portrayal of the street culture and rap industry at the time. With its raw storytelling and captivating visuals, "Streets Is Watching" had a significant impact on the hip hop community, catapulting JAY-Z's career and cementing his role as a cultural icon. This review will explore the film's artistic merits, its influence on the genre, and the lasting legacy it has left behind.

Before becoming Hall of Fame Hov, JAY-Z in 1997 was still striving to make a name for himself in an extremely crowded New York City rap scene. Part of him getting shine at the time was the skills that he put on full display for his 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt. The album, filled with jewels like “Dead Presidents II” and “D’Evils,” gave listeners a full-colored introduction to the man behind the flashy and conscious poetics. But while it was easily regarded a classic, Reasonable Doubt was a slow seller. In an effort to build the exposure behind his coveted rap skills, Jay and his Roc-A-Fella Records co-founders Kareem “Biggs” Burke and Damon Dash inked a distribution deal with Def Jam, selling the initial half-stake of the label for a reported $1.5 million. Not long after, 1997’s In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 arrived. But where Reasonable Doubt offered prophecy, the follow-up didn’t quite back up the promise of its predecessor.
-Revolt