Krush Groove

R

1985

1 hr. 34 min.

Musical

List

43%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Russell Walker (Blair Underwood) has started a new hip-hop and rap label called Krush Groove, which features a stellar list of acts that includes Kurtis Blow and Run-D.M.C. However, Walker doesn't have sufficient money to keep up the label, especially after Run-D.M.C. scores a big single. As he struggles to fund the label, more and more rap groups, like the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J, emerge in the New York City hip-hop scene. The film is based on the beginning of Def Jam Records.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Jan 23

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Krush Groove on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Levi M

I felt this movie adeptly captured the abstract of a brief moment in history, when Hip hop music was making the waves that would become a global movement. In the original cast, these scenes show the bones of what modern cinema often hopes- and fails, to achieve. Quirky, but with a realness that is based in the very real portrayers of what seem to be, inter-sprinklings of the origins of Def Jam. The movie is Def(inately) worth watching, for the pure inspiration and creative spirit captured and in capturing: Run-DMC, Jam Master Jay, Sheila E, and Kurtis Blow, The Fat Boys all seem to have died, as did Jam Master Jay, and MCA, (RIP and thank you) who were captured in the essence of the original glory that was. 4.5 stars as an ode to the rocking world of hip hop, and may the eightfold post, inspire you to watch this gem.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

That tomato meter score for this film is absolutely ridiculous. Most of the cast were music artists and the acting was still perfect. Give it the respect it deserves. That score should be at least in the 70s.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

delysid d

the story sucks but the music is great. My favourite part is the fat boys

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/27/17

Full Review

Audience Member

I think God is testing you. Russell Simmons is the son of a preacher that dropped out of college his final year before graduating. He has since been working to make albums and start his own label, Def Jam. Meanwhile, as he struggles, he begins losing his artists to his competitors. Can Russell turn his luck around? "You never heard of us, The Disco Three?" Michael Schultz, director of The Last Dragon, Cooley High, Car Wash (1976), Disorderlies, Killers in the House, Tarzan in Manhattan, and Greased Lightening, delivers Krush Grove. The storyline for this picture is entertaining and unfolds well. The characters are dynamic and well written and the cast delivers better than average performances. The cast includes Blair Underwood, Run DMC, New Edition, Curtis Blow, and the Fast Boys. "We're the fat boys who like food." I came across this on HBOGO and knew I needed to see this all time classic. The movie isn't perfect but it does give an interesting glimpse back in a key time in the development of hip hop music as we know it. This was a very entertaining film and a great take on Russell Simmons. "A hit record is the worst thing that could have happened to us." Grade: B-

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

All musicians involved were pivotal characters in making hip hop what it is today. Acting is not particularly in most of the characters resumes so almost all are amateurly skilled. For hip hip fans it shows two different stories of the ups and downs of the art of rap. The Fat Boys are a very funny powerhouse but other demensions of the film take itself way to seriously. Has interesting aspects of a musical, not the greatest way to execute a 'hip-hopera'.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

phenomenal musical performances by all acts involved. abysmal in terms of acting, story, editing, and dialogue, but worth checking out for the music and the atmosphere- the raw energy of the musical performances radiates off the screen.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Michael Schultz

Director

Blair Underwood

Russell Walker

LisaGay Hamilton

Aisha

Richard Gant

Jay B

Sheila E.

Self

Joseph "Rev Run" Simmons

Self

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Stick with the soundtrack.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

Rap music is infinitely more original than these creaky devices, and it deserves something better.

May 20, 2003

Full Review

TV Guide

Not much acting is on display, the dialog is simplistic, the story is superficial, and the direction is faceless, but true fans won't care. Others have been warned.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 3, 2015

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Rated: 4/5

Jan 6, 2005

Full Review

Luke Y. Thompson

LYTRules.com

Made in the mid-80s as a cash-in on the hip-hop explosion, the movie plays better now than it did then

Jun 29, 2004

Full Review

Michelle Alexandria

Eclipse Magazine

Rated: 1/5

Nov 20, 2003

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Russell Walker (Blair Underwood) has started a new hip-hop and rap label called Krush Groove, which features a stellar list of acts that includes Kurtis Blow and Run-D.M.C. However, Walker doesn't have sufficient money to keep up the label, especially after Run-D.M.C. scores a big single. As he struggles to fund the label, more and more rap groups, like the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J, emerge in the New York City hip-hop scene. The film is based on the beginning of Def Jam Records.

Director: Michael Schultz
Executive Producer: Robert O. Kaplan, George Jackson
Screenwriter: Ralph Farquhar
Production Co: Film Development Corporation, Visual Eyes Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.1M
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now